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Still have the outdated view that computer games are just fun for kids? Some do, and they may be surprised to find that the very best of esports players can earn millions of pounds in tournaments. They can afford expensive cars, villas vacations on tropical islands, and much more. But which teams are among the best? How can you determine a clear favourite when many teams fight in completely different games?
One criteria is money. Some teams earn millions in sponsorships and more. It doesn’t matter if you plan to rent an apartment in London or place a bet at the best uk casino online for real money, a lot of things are measured in cash, and there are various lists out there that value esports organisations. So, let’s look at a few key players (as in teams) that have become successful in esports over the past five years or so.
What Determines the Rating of Esports Teams?
Esports players don’t always perform alone. While there are some 1v1 games out there like FIFA and Hearthstone, there are many team esports games like CSGO, WoW and Dota 2 competitions.
As in traditional sports, some players compete for fame, respect and money. Based on the results of their performances, a rating and statistics are compiled. For example, HLTV has a well-respected rankings system in CSGO. This kind of information is valuable, just as it is for users who bet on esports in popular online casinos, as well as among gamers and fans of esports/computer games.
And the salary of an esports pro depends not only on his or her experience, but their brand, nature, ability to get along with other teammates, skill levels and so on. When betting on an esports team, you should pay attention to the players’ personal statistics, the composition of their team, and their standing among gamers.
When a paying sponsor partners with an organisation, its value can increase. When compiling a team rating, it is important to consider the team’s income, the number of victories, the reputation of individual players, participation in international tournaments, and so on.
This information is essential for those who bet on computer game matches. So, who are these esports kings who win millions of dollars? Keep reading the article for more details.
Team Liquid
Team Liquid are one of the most successful esports teams in the world, with over 2,200 official tournament victories according to Esports Earnings. Team Liquid were founded in 2000 and are a pioneer in esports.
Almost 60% of Liquid’s winnings were received in Dota 2 according to Esports Earnings. The team are most famous for their victory at The International 2017, which brought them $10,862,683. The group regularly takes part in many esports games.
The team have won almost $40m in earnings from tournament prize winnings overall to date.
Navi
Navi, or Natus Vincere, are a professional esports organisation from Ukraine. Members of the Navi team take part in many popular games:
- Dota 2
- CSGO
- PUBG
- Halo Infinite
- Valorant
- Apex Legends
- Rainbow Six Siege
- Rocket League and so on
In 2011, the players managed to overtake the EHOME team from China and get $1 million for the first place. Navi has achieved tremendous success in Dota 2 and Counter-Strike. In 2021, it took first place in the prestigious PGL Major Stockholm 2021 tournament. In addition, the group managed to win the main prize in the Intel Grand Slam. In total, the NAVI team managed to earn more than $2 million in the past year or so.
Virtus.Pro
Virtus.Pro are a well-known esports team in Russia, which were founded in 2003. The club participates in games including the likes of CSGO, PUBG, PUBG Mobile, Rainbow Six Siege, Free Fire and Dota 2. The name Virtus.Pro in Latin means “valor is professional” (from the Latin “Beatitudo nоn est virtutis praemium, sed ipsa virtus”).
The club’s most notable accomplishments include victories in the following tournaments:
- ESL One Katowice 2018
- The Kuala Lumpur Major
- Epic League (Season 2)
In April 2020, the Virtus.Pro esports team announced the creation of the VP.Prodigy Dota 2 team. It allows young and talented players to try their hand in the professional arena.
G2 Esports
If you regularly play computer/video games and are interested in events from the world of esports, you’ve probably heard of G2 Esports. They were founded in Spain in 2014 and were first called Gamers2 before rebranding to G2 in 2015.
An early CSGO roster included such players as ScreaM, Dennis, Fox, and Rain. G2 put in solid performances and have the PR side of things nailed down – they have been known for producing entertaining content and building a strong brand in esports.
As a result, G2 players’ names were all over the news. Among the main achievements of the G2 esports team are the victories at MSI 2019 ($400,000), LEC 2020 Summer ($94,000), and LEC 2022 Spring ($91,000).
OG
The OG team became famous for winning an incredible amount of prize money. It regularly performs well in Dota 2 and CSGO. In 2018, players became more aware of the existence of OG, as they became the champions of The International 2018, and then also the winners of the Dota 2 tournament in 2019, making them back-to-back champions.
The first great victory brought the team more than $11 million and then more than $15 million in 2019. The OG active roster includes experienced players from Norway, Russia, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Jordan. Key sponsors of OG include Socios, SteelSeries, RedBull, BMW and more.
Final Thoughts
We named five top teams and talked about some of their most successful performances. Now you may have a better understanding of why players can get such solid winnings. The esports industry is vast and continues to grow. In 2021, its revenues reached around $1.08 billion. This figure is expected to exceed $1.6 billion in 2024, according to Newzoo.
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