cloud9
cloud9

Cloud9

Cloud9 Esports Inc, or Cloud 9 as they are commonly referred to, is a professional eSports organization founded in 2013.

Cloud9 creates online eSports content for its social media platform and has divisions participating in major tournaments. Currently, the organization is based in Santa Monica, California.

Initially founded as a professional League of Legends team, the organization evolved into the entity it is known as today.

Currently, the organization has teams participating in Apex Legends, Fortnite, Hearthstone, Fortnite, League of Legends, Overwatch, Super Smash Bros., Teamfight Tactics, Valorant, World of Warcraft, and CS:GO.

The organization has also won three international championships, including the 2018 Overwatch League. Cloud9 is among the most valuable eSports organizations in the world.

Cloud9 Overview

Team Short NameC9
GamesApex Legends, Fortnite, Hearthstone, Fortnite, League of Legends, Overwatch, Super Smash Bros., Teamfight Tactics, Valorant, World of Warcraft, and CS:GO
Founded2013
LocationSanta Monica, California, US
OwnerJack Etienne (CEO)
Websitehttps://cloud9.gg/
YouTube channelhttps://www.youtube.com/cloud9

History

Cloud9, or C9 as it is often referred to at sporting events, was founded in the year 2013. This group originated after Quantic Gaming released their League of Legends players from their contracts.

The released player banded together and founded a team under the name ‘Team NomNom.’ The team was reacquired by Quantic Gaming in the month of April of the same year.

But in May 2013, the player’s contracts were purchased by Jack Etienne and Pauline Etienne, thus creating a separate Cloud9 entity.

After creating an independent organization, Cloud9 focused on expanding its roster in various other eSports games.

By the end of 2014, Cloud9 had divisions in Dota 2, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Hearthstone, CS: GO, Halo, and finally, Heroes of Storm. Other divisions were added in the following years, with the prominent ones being in Call of Duty, Overwatch, and Vainglory.

In May 2022, Forbes valued Cloud9 organization at $380 million, the fifth most valuable eSports organization.

Cloud9 Current Divisions

League of Legends

Current Roster

IDNameNationalityHead Coach
FudgeAllami, IbrahimAustraliaMax Alexander Waldo-
BlaberHuang, RobertUS
JensenJensen, NicolajDenmark
BerserkerMin-cheol, KimSouth Korea
ZvenSvennigsen, JesperDenmark
SvenskerenJohansen, DennisDenmark

Apex Legends

Current Roster

IDNameNationalityHead Coach
StayNaughtyGouzoulis, ParisUSJamison Moore
ZachMazer, MachUS
rockerGrodin, AidanUS

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Current Roster

IDNameNationalityHead Coach
nafanyLonguet. NicolasRussiaKonstantin Pikiner
interzJensen, CasperRussia
Ax1LeDelgado, FabrizioRussia
HObbitHasenov, AbaiKazakhstan
groovePikiner, KonstantinRussia

Fortnite

Current Roster

IDNameNationality
BlackoutZda Silva, Patrick GarciaBrazil
DrakoNzFernandes, IgorBrazil
AveryBouajila, JilaniCanada
noshKing, AdamCanada
FrystRadziwill-Debarba, AlexUS

Halo

Current Roster

IDNameNationalityHead Coach
EcoSmith, KevinUSEmanuel Lovejoy
PenguinHearon, ZaneUS
StelluRBoettcher, BraedonUS
BoundGray, AdamUS

Hearthstone

Current Roster

IDNameNationality
KolentoMalsh, AlexandrUkraine
DDaHyoNiBaek, SanghyeonSouth Korea
DawNJang, Hyun-JaeSouth Korea
FlurryCho, Hyun-SooSouth Korea
LooksamKim, Jin-HyoSouth Korea
PortiaLee, Dong-JaeSouth Korea
TidesofTimeAndrew BiessenerSouth Korea

Legends of Runterra

Current Roster

ID –Name –Nationality –
DaWNJang, Hyun-JaeSouth Korea
DDaHyoNiBaek, SanghyeonSouth Korea

Super Smash Bros. Melee

Current Roster

ID –Name –Nationality –
MangoMarquez, JosepthUS

TeamFight Tactics

Current Roster

ID –Name –Nationality –
JuditeFreitas, JuanBrazil
k3sojuZhang, MichaelUS
PortiaLee, Dong-JaeSouth Korea

Valorant

Current Roster

ID –Name –Nationality –
mitchSemago, MitchUS
leafOrf, NathanUS
XeppaaBach, ErickUS
vanityMalaspina, AnthonyUS
curryNemani, RahulUS

World of Warcraft

Current Roster

ID –Name –Nationality –
ChunliRowell, XavierUS
KubzyMacDonald, CameronCanada
FlopKreiner, Luke FrancisUS
WealthymanRodriguez, MarcelUS

Team Vitality Achievements

DatesTournamentPlacementPrize (USD)
17/07/22AWC 2022 NA Finals2nd 40,000
10/07/22ALGS: 2022 Championship15th24,000
29/06/22C3S3: Solo Cash Cup – Week 1: NA East2nd500
01/06/22PBE Clash: Dragonlords 3rd
15/05/22C3S2: FNCS – Qualifiers 3: NA East9th
05/05/22Intel Extreme Masters XVII – Dallas01st100,00
01/05/22ALGS: 2022 Split 2 Playoffs10th18,000
01/05/22Halo Championship Series 2022: Kansas2nd84,000
01/05/22North America Series 2022 S17 – 8th2,000
17/04/22FaZe Halo Invitational2nd20,000
03/04/22North America Series 2022 S1: Major 33rd3,000
28/03/22ALGS: 2022 Split Pro League – NA6th6,000
26/03/22VCT 2022: NA Stage 1 Challengers3rd26,000
13/03/22Gizmos & Gadgets: NA Challengers #22nd 500
13/03/22North America Series 2022 S1: Major 24th2,000
26/02/22C3S1: FNCS – Semi Finals 2: NA East6th
25/02/22C3S1: FNCS – Semi Finals 1: NA East22nd
20/02/22Knights Arena Carnage Cup #31st6,000
18/02/22C3S1: FNCS – Qualifier 1: NA East 12th
13/02/22Halo Championship Series 2022: NA1st 54,000
23/01/22ALGS: 2022 Split 1 Playoffs – NA6th9,000
23/01/22Knights Arena Valorampage1st 12,500
27/12/21Allie Coin Pro-Am4th500
19/12/21Halo Championship Series 2021: Kickoff1st140,000
08/12/21VALORANT Champions 20215 – 8th40,000
05/12/21ALGS: 2021 Split 1 Pro League – NA9th4,500
28/11/21Knights Arena Carnage Cup #21st6,000
31/10/21VCT 2021: NA Last Chance Qualifier1st40,000
26/09/21AWC 2021 NA Grand Finals3rd20,000
22/09/21Grayson Allen’s Apex Invitational3rd2,100
05/09/21Reckoning: NA Finals5th1,500
22/08/21Nerd Street Gamers: Summer Champ1st 12,000
20/06/21SCARZ CUP – 20212nd1,814
13/06/21ALGS Championship 2021 – NA2nd132,875
06/06/21Halo 5 SEND OFF1st12,000
23/05/21Six Invitational 202113 -16th55,000
02/05/21VCT 2021: NA Stage 2 Challengers Finals3rd15,000
02/05/21AWC 2021 NA S1 Finals2nd25,000
25/04/21APAC League 2021 Playoffs – Stage 12nd31,250
18/04/21AWC 2021 NA S1 Circuit 1st20,000
16/04/21APAC North 2021 – Stage 11st15,000
11/04/21LCS Spring 20211st100,000
28/03/21Nerd Street Gamers: 2021 Monthly March1st 5,000
10/01/21APAC League 2020 – Finals North1st 17,500

Cloud9 Partnerships & Collaborations

  • Kingston FURY – a leader in memory product and tech solutions, extends its partnership with Cloud9 on Sept 2021
  • Cloud9 partnered up with a pop culture franchise, The Smurfs, on Nov 18, 2021
  • Cloud9 and Microsoft entered a multi-year technology partnership in May 2019
  • EPOS on the Cloud9 train as an audio partner; deal signed on Sept 2020
  • PUMA announced a multi-year partnership with Cloud9
  • On Feb 3, 2022, Cloud9 announced a collaboration with Blockchain.com, with the latter becoming the official cryptocurrency exchange and wallet partner.
  • Aug 2022, BC.GAME – a leading online casino and sports betting platform partnered up with Cloud9
  • In May 2019, Cloud9 signed an exclusive multi-year deal with AT&T
  • Red Bull is a major sponsor and the official drinks partner of Cloud9
  • HyperX is a partner of Cloud9
  • Secret Lab and Cloud9 signed an exclusive deal for a licensed gaming chair line.
  • Cloud9 announces BMW as an automotive partner.

Controversies

  • The controversial departure of Cloud9’s League of Legends coach, Nick De Cesare, in Feb 2022
  • Cloud9 removed Sixless over controversial comments about Indian players and teams.
  • Cloud9’s Vanity is in hot waters after taking a cheap dig at NYFU after winning the MEL Valorant Premiership Season 3
  • Cloud9’s member Sh1ro is under scrutiny due to his signature closely resembling the Russian war symbol.
  • Cloud9’s Macayla leaves the team after a controversial statement over the Russia-Ukraine war.

Philanthropy

  • Cloud9 joined forces with Red Bull for a Charity Tournament event on December 19, 2020
  • Cloud9 announced the 2021 Pride Campaign and donated to several LGBTQIA+ organizations.