Forbes releases list of 10 most valuable Esports organizations 2020
Forbes is an American business magazine published weekly. Forbes’ trusted journalism includes franchises such as Billionaires, 30 Under 30, Forbes 400 and its highly respected investment newsletters. As a result, Forbes trusted journalism today reaches more than 120 million people worldwide.
Recently Forbes published a report on the 10 most valuable esports companies. According to the report the industry wide revenue was speculated to rise up to $1.1 billion but instead dropped by $150 million.
The reason for the downfall is pretty clear: the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which has made it almost impossible to organize LAN events. The absence of LAN events led to withdrawal of sponsors resulting in the drop.
The revenue figures presented by Forbes are an estimate for FY 2020. To compile this ranking, they have spoken to dozens of esports organizations, investors, advisors to investors, and analysts.
1. Team Solo Mid (TSM)- $410 million
Team SoloMid (TSM) is a professional esports organization based in the United States. It was founded in September 2009 by Andy “Reginald” Dinh. TSM currently fields players in League of Legends, Apex Legends, Valorant, Hearthstone, Super Smash Bros., Fortnite, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, PUBG Mobile, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, Magic: The Gathering Arena, and chess.
2. Cloud9- $350 million
Cloud9 (C9) is an American professional esports organization based in Los Angeles, California. It was formed in 2013, when CEO Jack Etienne bought the former Quantic Gaming League of Legends roster. In 2018, Cloud9’s Counter-Strike: Global Offensive roster became the first and only North American team to win a Major after defeating FaZe Clan 2–1 in the ELEAGUE Major: Boston.
3. Team Liquid- $310 million
Team Liquid is a multi-regional professional esports organization based in the Netherlands that was founded in 2000. With the release of StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. Team Liquid’s League of Legends team has won four LCS titles, and their Counter-Strike Global Offensive team was awarded the Intel Grand Slam prize in 2019, a feat achieved in just four tournaments.
4. Faze Clan- $305 million
FaZe Clan (formerly FaZe Sniping) is a professional esports and entertainment organization headquartered in Los Angeles, United States. Founded on May 30, 2010, the organization has players from around the world, across multiple games, including Call of Duty, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, FIFA, Valorant and Fortnite Battle Royale.
5. 100 Thieves- $190 million
100 Thieves (“Hundred Thieves”) is a lifestyle brand and gaming organization based in Los Angeles, California. The organization has teams competing in several video games, including Call of Duty, Call of Duty: Warzone, Fortnite Battle Royale, League of Legends and Valorant. The Thieves’ League of Legends team is a franchise team of the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) .
6. Gen.G (Generation Gaming)- $185 million
Gen.G previously known as KSV Esports, is a professional esports organization with headquarters in Santa Monica, Seoul, and Shanghai.On December 6, 2019, Gen.G signed the former core of Cloud9 along with the team’s assistant coach.
7. Enthusiast Gaming- $180 million
Enthusiast Gaming is a Canadian digital media company specializing in video game journalism. Founded in 2014 by entrepreneur Menashe Kestenbaum, the company owns the websites Destructoid and Escapist Magazine, as well the gaming convention Enthusiast Gaming Live Expo (EGLX).
8. G2 Esports- $175 million
G2 Esports (commonly shortened to just G2 and formerly known as Gamers2) is a European esports organization headquartered in Berlin, Germany, with players competing in League of Legends, Valorant, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Hearthstone, Rocket League, Rainbow Six Siege, and iRacing. The organization was founded on 24 February 2014 as Gamers2.
9. NRG Esports- $155 million
NRG Esports is an American professional esports organization based in Los Angeles, California. It has rosters in Apex Legends, Call of Duty, Clash Royale, Dragon Ball FighterZ, Fortnite, Gears of War, Hearthstone, Overwatch, Rocket League, Valorant, and a number of streamers on the internet platform Twitch.
10. Team T1- $150 million
T1 (previously known as SK Telecom T1 or SKT T1) is a South Korean esports team operated by the T1 Entertainment & Sports, a joint venture between SK Telecom and Comcast Spectacor.T1’s League of Legends team has won the 2013, 2015, and 2016 editions of the League of Legends World Championships.
