Statement by the Entertainment Software Association on the Passing of Richard M. Bates

Statement by the Entertainment Software Association on the Passing of Richard M. Bates

WASHINGTON — January 2, 2021 — The following is a statement from ESA President & CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis on the passing of Richard M. Bates, Senior Vice President of Government Relations at the Walt Disney Company:

“We are saddened by the passing of our colleague and friend Richard Bates. As the head of the Government Relations team at Disney, one of our member companies, Richard served both as a trusted advisor and a champion for our work. Richard brought clarity and passion to every issue, along with an unmatched wit. His loss will be felt deeply by all who knew him, but by none more than his family, to whom we send our deepest condolences.”

# # #

About the ESA

The ESA offers a wide range of services to interactive entertainment software companies, including conducting business and consumer research; providing legal and policy analysis and advocacy on First Amendment, intellectual property, and technology/e-commerce issues; managing a global content protection program; owning and operating E3; and representing video game industry interests in federal and state government relations. For more information, visit the ESA’s website or follow the ESA on Twitter @theESA.

Media Contact

Andrew Bowins
Senior Vice President, Communications & Public Affairs
[email protected]