Vox Media's gaming website Polygon sold to pornography Mogul Hassan Youssef's Valnet; almost entire staff laid off

In a surprising move, Polygon, Vox Media's video games website, has been acquired by Valnet, a media company founded and led by Hassan Youssef , a former figure in the adult entertainment industry and co-founder of the well-known pornography site Brazzers. The news of the acquisition and subsequent layoffs at Polygon broke abruptly on social media, with numerous Polygon writers and editors reporting the sudden termination of their employment. According to a report by 404 Media, the acquisition by a company with ties to the pornography industry has left many within the gaming journalism community reeling.

This development comes amidst an already challenging period for media, with widespread layoffs impacting various publications for years. Video game publications have been particularly affected recently, with the closure of the legendary magazine Game Informer in 2024 and layoffs at Gamespot and other outlets. However, Polygon, a brand built from the ground up by Vox, with its substantial staff, reputable reporters, significant YouTube presence, and what was perceived as stable leadership, did not appear to be on the brink of a sale and mass layoffs.

Valnet Media owns a portfolio of adult entertainment websites
Valnet Media owns a portfolio of entertainment websites, including Screen Rant and Collider, as well as several gaming-focused sites such as TheGamer, DualShockers, and Game Rant. 404 Media sheds light on Youssef's background, tracing his entry into the internet pornography industry back to 2003. Starting with a foosball enthusiasts group that included his brother Sam and Concordia University students Matt Keezer and Stephane Manos, Youssef and his partners recognized a lucrative opportunity in online adult entertainment. This led to the creation of sites like Jugg World, Ass Listing, KeezMovies, and XXX Rated Chicks. Jugg World eventually evolved into an affiliate network, and Brazzers was launched as a pay-per-view site.

404 Media notes that some attribute the prevalence of "giant boobs" in pornography to the business strategy of Youssef and his associates, who reportedly focused on this niche for its low cost and high traffic. Former Mindgeek CEO Feras Antoon reportedly told New York Magazine that they concentrated on breasts "because the big-tits niche was so cheap," and subsequently expanded into the "MILF niche," becoming dominant in that area.

Sam and Hassan Youssef also co-founded Mansef, an early "thumbnail gallery post" website for pornography. 404 Media details the subsequent complex history of acquisitions and sales within the pornography industry, noting that Mansef was sold to Fabian Thylmann and became Manwin. Thylmann continued acquiring numerous sites before facing tax evasion charges and ultimately selling his holdings to Antoon and David Tassilo, who rebranded the company as Mindgeek and continued the acquisition spree, including the flagship site Pornhub. Antoon and Tassilo resigned in 2022 amid accusations of abuse on their platforms, and private equity firm Ethical Capital Partners acquired the company in 2023, renaming it Aylo.

Hassan Youssef on Polygone acquisition
Following their ventures in the broader pornography industry, Sam and Hassan Youssef co-founded Valnet. Hassan currently serves as the company's CEO, while Sam is a board member and also the founder and CEO of Valsoft, an enterprise software company.

In a press release, Hassan Youssef, now identified as Valnet's founder and SEO, stated, "This moment marks a powerful reaffirmation of our deep commitment to gaming, a space we’ve passionately invested in for years. The addition of Polygon not only strengthens our editorial muscle but also amplifies our ability to deliver unmatched value to both audiences and advertisers. At Valnet, we’re not just participants in this space; we are its undisputed leader, and today, that leadership has never felt stronger."

The acquisition of a prominent gaming news site like Polygon by a company with roots in the pornography industry, coupled with the reported immediate layoffs of a significant portion of its staff, has sparked considerable discussion and concern within the media and gaming communities. The long-term implications for Polygon's editorial direction and the broader landscape of video game journalism remain to be seen.