Whalen Rozelle

Whalen Rozelle serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Esports where he is responsible for the execution and development of sustainable business practices across each of Riot’s esports products. Whalen provides high-level management, strategic guidance, and mentorship to a diverse global team including regional leagues and product leaders. 

Since joining Riot as Director of Esports in 2012, Whalen has been a primary architect for the growth and professionalization of Riot Games’ industry-leading esports. He later became co-head of LoL Esports, where he oversaw the sport’s transition to a franchise model. In 2019, he moved from League of Legends to spin up VALORANT esports within Riot prior to the game’s launch in 2020. Whalen is among a prestigious group of successful business leaders in sports who have secured Sports Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” honor three times, placing him in their 40 Under 40 Hall of Fame. 

Whalen attended Stanford University where he competed in Archery while also receiving his Bachelors in Economics and East Asian Studies.