Cloud9 wins Esports Organization of the Year

After an amazing year, Cloud9 has won the Esports Organization of the Year award at the 2018 Esports Awards. Their owner, Jack Etienne, would take to social media to thank the fans and members of Cloud9.

We at Cloud9 are delighted to have been voted the Esports Organisation of the Year at the #ESPORTSAWARDS!

2018 has truly been a year to remember, and it just got better. Thanks to everyone in the #C9FAM for your support and for voting for us! pic.twitter.com/MfrDGlFPVW

— Cloud9 (@Cloud9) November 12, 2018

2018 was a very successful year for Cloud9 across most of their esports teams. For example, in January, their Counter-Strike team would win North America’s first Major title at the ELEAGUE Boston Major. Additionally, their Overwatch League team, the London Spitfire, would take the inaugural season championship in July after defeating the Philadelphia Fusion. Following this, their popular League of Legends team would reach the semifinals of Worlds 2018. This was a feat that has never been done in the entire history of the World Championships. Their PUBG team would even capture the PGL Fall Invitational in October.

Finally, their most recent conquest would be in Rocket League, where Cloud9 would dethrone Team Dignitas to win the RLCS Season Six championship. Outside of trophies and championships, the organization would even secure themselves $50 million in Series B funding from multiple investors, led by Valor Equity Partners. As a result, they are also building a training center and home base, located in Los Angeles. They have put plenty of accomplishments under their belt throughout the year, and we can only expect more in the future.

Looking Ahead with Cloud9

Now, as we look towards the future for this great organization, there are still some shortcomings they must overcome. For example, most of their Major-winning Counter-Strike roster has left the team. After the Boston Major, their limited success would see Jacky “Stewie2K” Yip and Tarik “tarik” Celik to MIBR. More recently, one of the longest-tenured members, Tyler “Skadoodle” Latham, would step down from his spot indefinitely.

In response, Cloud9 would assemble a medley of players from Europe to fill in the blanks. Maikil “Golden” Selim would become the in-game leader, while Robin “flusha” Rönnquist would join the team after the London Major. After an extended trial with Martin “STYKO” Styk, the team would recently settle for former Team Envy member, Fabien “kioShiMa” Fiey. Cloud9 hasn’t been able to find much success after Boston, but maybe this lineup can work out some wonders.

They will also have to replicate their successes in various titles. In the Overwatch League, the London Spitfire could have a tough time repeating as champions, due to the influx of talent coming into the league. If you were out of the loop, Blizzard has actually accepted eight new expansion teams to the league. This only means that there is more competition to get past, in order to reach the top of the mountain.

Final Thoughts

All in all, Cloud9 has done so much this year and definitely deserves the title of best esports organization. However, they will need to work very hard to maintain the status as the world’s best. There are so many teams that are hot on their heels. As an organization, they cannot become comfortable or complacent with their position at the top. In fact, this should prompt them to work even harder, to prove that they truly belong at the apex of the esports world. Honestly, I am sure that Jack knows what he’s doing.

What are your thoughts on Cloud9 winning Esports Organization of the Year? Let us know what you think in the comments below! If you want more League of Legends coverage, check us out here!