Who invests in esports: famous streamers and athletes who own professional teams
Elen StelmakhPopular Canadian streamer xQc (11.7 million subscribers), who also happens to be a former Overwatch pro, is planning to sign a VALORANT line-up in order to start his own organization. In addition, xQc plans to sign rosters for the disciplines Rocket League and League of Legends. This is another example of big names investing in eSports.
We decided to gather all the famous cases where streamers and athletes decided to look at cybersport to create powerful esports organizations. We won't look at the bad examples, although there are fewer of them. On the contrary, let's talk about the big clubs that have become famous because of the results.
Team Heretics (owned by streamer TheGrefg)
The Spanish eSports organization Team Heretics was founded in the summer of 2016 by popular streamer TheGrefg. The club managed to change almost ten disciplines in seven years, but eventually stopped at only a fraction of them.
At one time Team Heretics had a strong CS:GO team that even played in RMR CSGO tournaments, won the French national championships and took part in LAN events. However, the team was disbanded back in early 2021, and since then, the organization has switched its attention to other disciplines.
Currently, Team Heretics owns partner teams in VALORANT and League of Legends and is also represented in FIFA and Fortnite.
KOI (owned by former footballer Gerard Piquet and streamer Ibai)
Another Spanish eSports organisation is KOI. It was founded in the end of 2021 by former Barcelona and Spain national football team defender Gerard Piquet and famous streamer Ibai.
And in almost a year and a half, KOI has managed to become a serious force on the world stage. In particular, the club has been included in the VALORANT affiliate program, and also marked last year's deal with Rogue by buying out rosters for League of Legends, Rainbow Six and Rocket League.
In terms of results, the organization's teams managed to finish third at LEC Winter 2023, make the top six at the Six Invitational 2023 and play at the recent VCT 2023: LOCK//IN São Paulo.
KRU Esports (owned by former footballer Sergio Agüero)
Perhaps one of the most notable examples of a former star footballer investing in cybersport. And Agüero, who is the owner of the Argentinian organisation KRU Esports, has not limited himself to FIFA, turning his attention to many other disciplines.
Over the course of its existence, and at the time of writing it has been two and a half years, the Argentine club has expanded into VALORANT, where it has partnered with FIFA and the Rocket League. The organisation also tried itself in League of Legends, but abandoned such attempts back in 2022.
In terms of results, there is a VALORANT team that is a regular participant in international tournaments (semi-finals of VALORANT Champions 2021) and most recently in the American league. The Rocket League squad is developing nicely and is preparing to play in its first major.
Moist Esports (owned by streamer Cr1TiKaL)
North American eSports organization Moist Esports was founded in the summer of 2021, but in such a short period of time has become widely known in the community. Its founder is a popular streamer Cr1TiKaL, while recently another Influencer - Ludwig joined the club.
The club has gained popularity with its performances in mobile disciplines, but in 2022 began to expand with the opening of the Rocket League line-up. And the signed squad showed results straight away by winning the RLCS 2021-22 - Spring Split Major and also by qualifying for the RLCS 2021-22 - World Championship playoffs.
Moreover, the club has a strong Apex Legends team based in Asia. The organisation has now opened up its VALORANT division as well, signing the BreakThru line-up from VALORANT Challengers.
Karmine Corp (owned by streamer Kameto)
French eSports organisation Karmine Corp was founded in 2020 by another streamer, Kameto. That's not to say the club has been particularly generous with its investment, as despite all the rumours, it never bought a slot in the LEC franchise.
Nevertheless, Karmine Corp is very popular in France, drawing whole stadiums. However, the organisation also boasts its VALORANT and Rocket League line-ups.
In the former case, Karmine Corp has partnered the European league by signing the famous ScreaM. The Rocket League squad is one of the strongest in the world, regularly taking part in regional tournaments and international competitions.
Once there, the club intended to sign the CS:GO squad, but the owner has not got down to it yet.
100 Thieves (owned by former pro player and streamer Nadeshot)
North American eSports organisation 100 Thieves was born back in 2016. However, in that time the club has become one of the most famous in the world, largely due to its owner, former pro-gamer and streamer Nadeshot.
In seven years, 100 Thieves has managed to be in CS:GO, as well as securing spots in the LCS and Call of Duty League franchises. In addition, last year, the organisation made it into the partnership programme for the American League on VALORANT.
In terms of results, the club is the reigning Call of Duty League 2022: Playoffs champion, reached the quarter-finals of VCT 2023: LOCK//IN São Paulo, and is also a stable participant in the World Championship.
We can also think of the Apex Legends team which finished third in last year's ALGS: 2022 Championship. But that pales in comparison with the 100 Thieves title disciplines.
LOUD (owned by youtuber PlayHard)
Moving to Brazil, where LOUD, founded in 2019 by youtuber PlayHard, is blossoming before our eyes. The club was originally associated with mobile disciplines, but over the past few years has hit expansion, which has boosted its quotas tremendously.
Best of all the VALORANT squad has been crowned VALORANT Champions 2022 for one year and reached the finals at VCT 2022: Stage 1 Masters - Reykjavík and VCT 2023: LOCK//IN São Paulo. In addition, the Brazilian club are expected to be among the partners where they are preparing for the start of the league.
LOUD are also trying to develop their direction in League of Legends, but here the results are not as visible, excluding participation in last year's 2022 World Championship.
Team Gullit (owned by former footballer Ruud Gullit)
There is also a good example of the Dutch eSports organisation Team Gullit. The founder of the club is Ruud Gullit, a well-known footballer and winner of the Golden Ball.
Like the former footballer, Team Gullit focuses on the FIFA discipline, where they have been achieving good results.
Recently, the organisation entered into a joint venture with Ninjas in Pyjamas to compete under the joint tag TG.NIP. And the team has already managed to win the recent EA Sports Cup, earning a direct ticket to the FIFAe Club World Cup 2023.
OG (owned by pro-player N0tail)
The Danish eSports organisation OG was formed in 2015 by professional player N0tail. Generally, the beginning of the club dates back to the team (monkey) Business on Dota 2, which later under the leadership of the Dane evolved into a full-fledged club.
There's no point talking about two The Internationals, although the team became champions of The Frankfurt Major 2015 immediately after its founding. The team would go on to win a bunch of majors, but would gradually begin to develop in the context of a professional organisation.
Within a few years, OG managed to open CS:GO and VALORANT line-ups. But while the former case lives on to this day, the VALORANT team closed its doors last year after failing to get into the affiliate program.
TSM (owned by former pro player Reginald)
The North American eSports organization TSM was founded back in 2009 by former professional player Reginald. During this time the club has amassed over 15 lineups in various disciplines.
In particular, TSM has managed to make appearances in CS:GO, PUBG, Overwatch, Rocket League and Rainbow Six. However, as of today, all of the listed divisions have closed, or have not yet been reconstituted after their departure.
In terms of specific representation, today TSM plays VALORANT, League of Legends, Dota 2 and Apex Legends. All of the teams represented are vying for top honours to one degree or another, glorifying the eminent tag.
To summarise, there are several other notable teams, all owned by famous athletes or streamers. However, there are also examples where such big projects are only indirectly run by stars. You do not have to go far to find an example, as the British club Guild Esports is affiliated with the star of English football David Beckham. Also co-owner of WYLDE is the fastest man in the 100m, Usain Bolt. However, these examples only indirectly fit our criteria and have therefore been left out of the spotlight.
Elen Stelmakh is a creative individual dedicated to advancing gaming culture through articles and visual design. As a full-time EGamersWorld author and designer for a gaming website, Elen not only creates content but also infuses it with energy and creativity.