Former Nike, Skullcandy, and Logitech executive Hoby Darling has been named president of Valorant and League of Legends developer Riot Games.
The Tencent-owned studio said Darling will strive to turn Riot into the “best place to make games.”
His appointment comes after former Riot global president Dylan Jadeja vacated the role in 2023 to become CEO of the studio.
Prior to joining Riot, Darling held senior leadership roles at several portfolio companies.
He led video game peripheral maker Skullcandy as CEO for four years between 2013 and 2017. Before that, he spent around three years at Nike as Global GM for Nike+ Sport where he expanded the brand through digital platforms and partnerships—including linking up with Microsoft and Xbox to release fitness-focused Kinect title Nike+ Kinect Training.
More recently, Darling served as a senior executive on Logitech’s global leadrship team. During his tenure at the tech company, he reported directly to the CEO and oversaw a portfolio of leading technology and consumer brands across esports and video games.
Darling now intends to help Riot continue developing experiences that “truly matter to players.”
“The first time I walked into Riot, I felt a scrappy, soulful, and courageous energy I knew I needed to be a part of. I’ve worked with a lot of companies, and there’s something special about a place that takes risks, challenges convention, and stays fiercely committed to its mission,” he commented in an announcement.
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Riot CEO Dylan Jadeja said Darling has a proven track record of helping teams maximise their potential.
“He’ll help Rioters tap into their creativity, sharpen their focus, and channel their competitive fire,” said Jadeja. “Most importantly, he understands the importance of nurturing our creative heart and will challenge us to keep raising the bar for each other and for players.”