Ninja Wanted To Add $500K To Smash EVO 2019 Prize Pool, But Was Apparently "Ghosted" By Nintendo

Not surprising, assuming this is true

Is it a good look for Nintendo to accept half a million dollars from a single blue haired streamer for use in a tournament that the company has historically been cautious of anyway?

There doesn’t really seem to be a whole lot surprising about this. Wealthy American internet personality offers to bank roll highly image conscious Japanese company to grow a competitive scene that said company has always intentionally kept at arm’s length.

…Nothing happens.

The end.

Well, Ninja's reputation is impeccable, so this must be true.

Some Women play Smash Bros and that's scary to Ninja, so Nintendo was just looking out for his well-being

I’m not surprised at all tbh.

Totally read this headline expecting a Japanese man wearing a balaclava.

@Maxz Well when you put it that way…

@CharlieGirl
Your not going to change my views on the subject, and I’m not going to change yours. Not worth getting into an argument over.

I'd be willing to give him my contact info.

How about just giving me the $500,000, Ninja. I promise it'll be a better use of that money.

Oh god. Ninja is not some famous young star. He plays games. Like all kids and adults everywhere. Stop giving this guy media attention. Its beyond a friggan joke.

Couldn't have happened to a better guy. I love when young celebrity blowhards find they don't get access to everything. Bonus points because his money was no good there. Reminds a bit of Miley Cyrus throwing a tantrum because Radiohead wouldn't meet her.

@CharlieGirl thanks dear, CG.

One of the most embarrassing episodes in human history will forever be making these internet clowns famous.

Yeah sorry not sorry ninja but I heard a lot of people don’t like you. Dantdm got Nintendo to sponsor him because he’s a friendly and chill guy and I don’t think that you are.

Maybe Mr. Fortnite "Ninja" Blevins isn't that bad after all

If you know anything about Nintendo's shady hisotry with Smash competive this is completley feasible. probably true

@burgerkingsauce
What is shady about this. They hurt a blue haired, man-child’s feelings?

@blindsquarel shady History. I may be wrong but they kinda forced project m to shut down and the whole FreeMelee debacle a couple years ago. this isn't shady, it just falls in line with what they've done before

He's unlikely to lie, and Nintendo is unlikely to consider prize donations. So this sounds legit.

Who? Why is this blue haired dude famous?

@Friscobay That's some tasty racism there.

I’d distance myself from anyone that plays fortnite

The 2019 winner will be kicking himself reading this. Instead of 500k cash as 1st prize, he ended up with a $25 Eshop voucher, 3 months NSO, a plushie and 300 platinum points.

Wow the privilege on this guy! Nintendo have always tried to keep a distance from all things 'pro Smash Bros' and this guy thinks he can just rock up and fix that by offering the prize money himself?

It's obviously never been about the money here.

Ask yourselves why someone with a sonewhat tarnished reputation wants to give half a million quid to competition run by a family friendly brand? Why would Nintendo want his stink on them?

@Ogbert Didn't Nintendo say they don't want cash prizes? I'm inclined to agree with Nintendo on that one. But, if a 3rd party company wants to host a Smash tournament and offer cash prizes and contacts Nintendo to work out a brand deal that is different. I think if I were Nintendo I would be insulted if a random internet celebrity offered me money to put up as a cash prize... I'd be kinda pissed.

Ninja has a kinda slimy history in general so I don't blame Nintendo's PR for not taking the money. If this were EVO themselves it be kinda different, but Ninja himself kinda not a good look on the company to take the money.

@Arehexes White male influencer was reminded that everything is not for sale, or at his disposal, as he was not allowed to buy himself more influence and Nintendo branding. How freaking tasty privileged and important he must feel sharing with the world that he was « ghosted » by a major Japanese company refusing to participate in his PR plan.

Unfortunately after the scandals from pro players, I'm not surprised Nintendo does not want to put in money to the tournament scene. Either way, it's a lose-lose situation.

I love Nintendo IP but they suck as a company when it comes to most things.

Could you imagine the train wreck it would've been if he had had it his way?

Why did Ninja need Nintendo’s permission? Couldn’t he have just put up the prize money himself anyway- y’know, to support the “community”

You know... there is other smash bros events to give that 500k to... well I guess it won't have that nice "Nintendo turn me away" to it or if it went out well "I sponsored an event with Nintendo".