Cloud9

There’s a good chance that even those who have missed the burgeoning esports scene have heard of Cloud9, now one of the largest and most valuable esports teams and organizations. North America’s Cloud9 is worth as much as $400 million, as per Forbes in 2019.

The team has fielded esports superstars and streamers such as Michael “Shroud” Grzesiek and Tyler “Skadoodle” Latham into the spotlight. Cloud9 is prevalent in the first person shooter (FPS) genre, one of its most prized accomplishments is going 25-1 in the fourth season of ESL Pro League (CS:GO). However it fields teams and players in Hearthstone, League of Legends, Super Smash Pros, Melee, Fortnite, Rainbow Six: Siege, Rocket League and Apex Legends as well as CS:GO. Cloud9 also manages the London Spitfire place in the Overwatch League.

Cloud9 is based out of Los Angeles and was created in 2013. CEO Jack Etienne purchased the former Quantic Gaming League of Legends roster. After Cloud9’s subsequent success in the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) it began to widen play to other esports. By 2018 Cloud9 had become the first North American team to win a CS:GO Major by defeating FaZe Clan 2–1 at ELEAGUE Boston.

As per Esports Earnings, to March 2020, Cloud9 has won nearly $9.5 million in prize money from a massive 700 tournaments. Its highest earning players are Tyler “Skadoodle” Latham with over $400,000 to his name and Jakey “Stewie2k” Yip at over $388,000. Though the latter player is now with Team Liquid.