{"id":152686,"date":"2024-04-23T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-23T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/?p=152686"},"modified":"2024-04-23T15:40:32","modified_gmt":"2024-04-23T14:40:32","slug":"esports-biggest-mergers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/2024\/04\/esports-biggest-mergers","title":{"rendered":"Creating goliaths: Esports\u2019 biggest mergers\u00a0\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//wp-content//uploads//2024//04//Helena-Kristiansson_IEM-Katowice-min-large.png/" alt=\"IEM Katowice 2024\" class=\"wp-image-152690\" srcset=\"https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Helena-Kristiansson_IEM-Katowice-min-large.png 1024w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Helena-Kristiansson_IEM-Katowice-min-medium.png 300w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Helena-Kristiansson_IEM-Katowice-min-medium_large.png 768w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Helena-Kristiansson_IEM-Katowice-min-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Helena-Kristiansson_IEM-Katowice-min.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">IEM Katowice 2024. (ESI Illustration) Image credit: Helena Kristiansson, ESL FACEIT Group<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-67cf7aac93e0e\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n    \n<p>Mergers are part and parcel of business and are common occurrences across <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////www.sportspromedia.com//news//endeavor-ufc-wwe-merger-tko-group-ari-emanuel-vince-mcmahon///" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">entertainment<\/a>, <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////www.reuters.com//article//idUSTRE70S2WZ///" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">media<\/a> and <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////www.gamespot.com//articles//bandai-namco-to-merge//1100-6123385///" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">gaming<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-67cf7aac94655\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n    \n<p>Mergers are often pursued to create one strong brand through the consolidation of two or more companies or as a vehicle for expansion into a new sector. Esports\u2019 financial landscape has <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//2023//11//what-is-esports-winter/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">undergone difficulties<\/a> over the past couple of years, with investments slowing down amid larger global economic difficulties affecting many industries. As a result, mergers \u2014 and acquisitions \u2014 have been utilised to try and create stronger unified brands to navigate these waters.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-67cf7aac94de9\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n    \n<p>Esports Insider has collated a list of the biggest esports mergers, highlighting how they happened and what they meant for the industry.<\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"keep-reading \"  id=\"kr-67cf7aac95dc4\">\n  <div class=\"heading\">Keep Reading<\/div>\n  <ul class=\"d-flex flex-column\">\n          <li id=\"post-148712\" style=\"order: 1;\"><a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//2024//09//esports-events-calendar-2024/" target=\"_blank\">Esports events calendar 2024: Major leagues and tournaments<\/a><\/li>\n          <li id=\"post-152679\" style=\"order: 2;\"><a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//2024//04//esports-around-the-world-italy/" target=\"_blank\">Esports Around The World: Italy<\/a><\/li>\n          <li id=\"post-152592\" style=\"order: 3;\"><a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//2024//04//anichess-animoca-chess-com-esports/" target=\"_blank\">Not just any chess: Anichess brings power-ups to the classic game<\/a><\/li>\n      <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-heading-67cf7aac96f6e\" class=\"esi-heading \">\n  \n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"esl_and_faceit\">ESL and FACEIT<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-67cf7aac976fe\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n    \n<p>In 2022 two of esports&#8217; biggest tournament companies, organiser ESL and platform FACEIT, were <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//2022//01//esl-faceit-group-bought-saudi-1-5bn/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">bought and merged<\/a> by Saudi Arabian government-backed Savvy Games Group in a combined $1.5bn (~\u00a31.1bn) deal. This makes it the biggest esports-focused merger ever.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-67cf7aac97e74\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n    \n<p>ESL FACEIT Group\u2019s formation created a conglomerate that now runs tournaments of all scales, from major international events such as IEM Katowice to a multitude of community-focused tournaments on FACEIT\u2019s platform. In addition, ESL FACEIT Group also owns DreamHack as a result of the deal, one of esports and gaming\u2019s oldest LAN convention organisers.<br><br>The <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////www.theguardian.com//sport//2022//mar//21//saudi-arabia-expands-its-sportswashing-ambitions-to-the-world-of-gaming/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">controversial purchase<\/a> was the first of many moves the Saudi Arabian government has made in the esports and gaming sector. Later that year Savvy Games Group announced that it <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//2022//09//savvy-games-group-investment-strategy-38bn/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">aimed to invest around \u00a334.5bn<\/a> in esports and gaming to support the country\u2019s <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//2022//09//saudi-crown-prince-esports-strategy/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Gaming and Esports Strategy<\/a>. What has followed is Savvy Games Group\u2019s <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////savvygames.com//savvy-games-group-completes-acquisition-of-scopely///" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">$4.9bn (~\u00a33.94bn) acquisition<\/a> of video game company Scopely and the launch of a $60m (~\u00a348.2m) Esports World Cup, set to debut in Summer 2024.<\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-heading-67cf7aac9862c\" class=\"esi-heading \">\n  \n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"gamesquare_and_faze_clan\">GameSquare and FaZe Clan<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//wp-content//uploads//2023//10//halo-world-championship-2023-viewership-large.jpg/" alt=\"Image of FaZe Clan Halo team holding Halo World Championship trophy\" class=\"wp-image-145028\" srcset=\"https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/halo-world-championship-2023-viewership-large.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/halo-world-championship-2023-viewership-medium.jpg 300w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/halo-world-championship-2023-viewership-medium_large.jpg 768w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/halo-world-championship-2023-viewership-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/halo-world-championship-2023-viewership.jpg 1799w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Halo World Championship 2023. Image credit: Halo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-67cf7aac98f07\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n    \n<p>Once dubbed an esports powerhouse <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////www.theverge.com//2022//7//20//23271414//faze-clan-public-spac-deal-merger/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">valued at $725m<\/a> (~\u00a3582.2m) in 2022, FaZe Clan\u2019s drop in stock depicted the financial struggles that the esports industry has faced over the last two years. Just two years later, the organisation merged with another publicly traded esports company GameSquare in an <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////investors.gamesquare.com//news//news-details//2024//GameSquare-Announces-Completion-of-Faze-Clan-Acquisition///" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">all-stock deal<\/a> worth around $17m (~\u00a313.7m).<\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-67cf7aac99674\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n    \n<p>The merger, which was completed in March 2024, has seen FaZe Clan somewhat return to its roots. GameSquare has enlisted the organisation\u2019s founders FaZe Banks, FaZe Temperrr and FaZe Apex, to steer the company. Moreover, under GameSquare\u2019s banner, FaZe has still managed to maintain its competitive success, winning CS2\u2019s IEM Chengdu.<\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-67cf7aac99f0b\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n    \n<p>The merger did cause some concerns for fans of Complexity, which at the time was owned by GameSquare, with fears that both FaZe and Complexity would no longer be able to compete in the same titles due to competitive integrity. However, shortly before the FaZe merger was confirmed, <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//2024//03//complexity-gaming-sold-jason-lake-investor-group-10m/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Complexity was purchased<\/a> by an investor group led by its founder Jason Lake for $10m (~\u00a38m).<\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-heading-67cf7aac9a6af\" class=\"esi-heading \">\n  \n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"activision_and_vivendi_games\">Activision and Vivendi Games<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"638\" src=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//wp-content//uploads//2024//04//Activision-Blizzard-large.png/" alt=\"Activision Blizzard\" class=\"wp-image-152712\" srcset=\"https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Activision-Blizzard-large.png 1024w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Activision-Blizzard-medium.png 300w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Activision-Blizzard-medium_large.png 768w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Activision-Blizzard-1536x958.png 1536w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Activision-Blizzard.png 1880w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image credit: Activision Blizzard<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-67cf7aac9af3b\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n    \n<p>Whilst not exactly esports-specific, it&#8217;s undeniable that Activision\u2019s merger with Vivendi Games, the game publishing unit of media holding company Vivendi, saw the creation of one of esports\u2019 biggest publishers \u2014 Activision Blizzard.<\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-67cf7aac9b6a8\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n    \n<p>In 2007, the two entities created one of the biggest video game companies in the world through a deal that was worth <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////web.archive.org//web//20080801174639//http:////wii.ign.com//articles//887//887251p1.html/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">$18.9bn (~\u00a315.2bn) at the time<\/a>. Vivendi had a majority stake in the newly merged company until Activision Blizzard <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////www.latimes.com//entertainment//envelope//cotown//la-et-ct-activision-blizzard-becomes-independent-company-in-58-billion-transaction-20130725-story.html/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">went independent in 2013<\/a> for $5.83bn (~\u00a34.68bn). Alongside being the developer of popular esports franchise Call of Duty (Activision), Blizzard Entertainment entered into the esports space in 2016 with Overwatch.<\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-67cf7aac9be0f\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n    \n<p>Activision Blizzard, which also has a <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//2023//12//wow-race-world-first-esports/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">unique competitive scene<\/a> for its popular World of Warcraft IP, was <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//2023//10//microsoft-activision-blizzard-acquisition/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">bought by Microsoft<\/a> in 2023 for $68.7bn (~\u00a350.5bn).<\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-heading-67cf7aac9c5ba\" class=\"esi-heading \">\n  \n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"optic_gaming_and_envy_gaming\">OpTic Gaming and Envy Gaming<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1151\" height=\"720\" src=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//wp-content//uploads//2024//04//optic-x-envy-edited.png/" alt=\"OpTic Gaming and Envy Gaming\" class=\"wp-image-152716\" srcset=\"https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/optic-x-envy-edited.png 1151w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/optic-x-envy-edited-medium.png 300w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/optic-x-envy-edited-large.png 1024w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/optic-x-envy-edited-medium_large.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1151px) 100vw, 1151px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image credit: OpTic Gaming, Envy Gaming<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-67cf7aac9ce52\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n    \n<p>Speaking of Call of Duty, <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//2021//11//optic-gaming-envy-merger/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">OpTic Gaming and Envy Gaming\u2019s merger<\/a> had major implications for the game\u2019s esports ecosystem. Announced in 2021, the merger of two historic North American organisations led to Dallas Empire rebranding to OpTic Texas for the 2022 Call of Duty League season.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-67cf7aac9d5c6\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n    \n<p>The subsequent deal also had a knock-on effect for another merger, one between <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//2021//12//oxygen-esports-boston-uprising/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Oxygen Esports (OXG) and Boston Uprising<\/a> that saw the new company purchase the Call of Duty League\u2019s 12th franchise spot. Previously, the franchise spot was held by OpTic Gaming (OpTic Chicago) prior to its merger with Envy. In 2022, <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//2022//06//envy-gaming-retired-rebranded-optic-gaming/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Envy Gaming\u2019s name was officially retired<\/a> with all teams instead operating under the OpTic banner.<\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-heading-67cf7aac9dd5d\" class=\"esi-heading \">\n  \n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"ninjas_in_pyjamas_and_esv5\">Ninjas in Pyjamas and ESV5<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1151\" height=\"720\" src=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//wp-content//uploads//2024//04//NIP-Group-edited.png/" alt=\"NIP-Group - Ninjas in Pyjamas\" class=\"wp-image-152715\" srcset=\"https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/NIP-Group-edited.png 1151w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/NIP-Group-edited-medium.png 300w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/NIP-Group-edited-large.png 1024w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/NIP-Group-edited-medium_large.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1151px) 100vw, 1151px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image credit: NIP Group<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-67cf7aac9e5df\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n    \n<p>One of the most overlooked recent esports mergers is Ninjas in Pyjamas and Chinese esports brand ESV5 to form the global company NIP Group. <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//2021//08//ninjas-in-pyjamas-nip-group-china/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Announced in 2021<\/a>, the merger was officially <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//2023//01//nip-group-esv5-lpl/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">completed in 2023<\/a> and resulted in Ninjas in Pyjamas entering into one of esports\u2019 most popular leagues \u2014 China\u2019s LPL.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-67cf7aac9ed49\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n    \n<p>The move opened the pathway for the Swedish esports organisation to enter the Chinese market, utilising a brand name that has been in existence since 2000. ESV5, a joint venture from eStar Gaming and Victory Five, also owns event production company MAG Studio, and esports talent agency eStar Entertainment.<\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-heading-67cf7aac9f4de\" class=\"esi-heading \">\n  \n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"overactive_media_koi_and_movistar_riders\">OverActive Media, KOI and Movistar Riders<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1728\" height=\"1080\" src=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//wp-content//uploads//2024//04//overactive-media-koi-movistar-riders-acquisition-edited.jpg/" alt=\"Image of OverActive Media, KOI, and Movistar Riders logos on blue and purple background\" class=\"wp-image-152714\" srcset=\"https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/overactive-media-koi-movistar-riders-acquisition-edited.jpg 1728w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/overactive-media-koi-movistar-riders-acquisition-edited-medium.jpg 300w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/overactive-media-koi-movistar-riders-acquisition-edited-large.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/overactive-media-koi-movistar-riders-acquisition-edited-medium_large.jpg 768w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/overactive-media-koi-movistar-riders-acquisition-edited-1536x960.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1728px) 100vw, 1728px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image credit: OverActive Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-67cf7aac9fd70\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n    \n<p>The Spanish market is an emerging esports sector, so when three notable Spanish brands combine, it\u2019s important to take notice. Earlier this year, Canadian esports holding company Overactive Media acquired <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//2024//03//overactive-media-koi-movistar-riders-2/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spanish esports organisations KOI and Movistar Riders<\/a>, combining the two brands with its existing MAD Lions division.<br><br>Variations of all three brands are still utilised throughout the entire competitive esports ecosystem, including <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////liquipedia.net//valorant//KOI/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">VALORANT<\/a> and <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////lol.fandom.com//wiki//MAD_Lions_KOI/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">League of Legends<\/a>. However, OverActive has stated that the ultimate goal is to merge all three entities into a singular brand by the end of 2024, thus creating a new Spanish esports giant.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-67cf7aaca04f5\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n    \n<p>With this new Spanish brand, on top of OverActive Media\u2019s Call of Duty League franchise Toronto Defiant and Overwatch team Toronto Ultra, the merger solidifies the company as a major multiregional esports organisation.<\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-heading-67cf7aaca0c88\" class=\"esi-heading \">\n  \n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"giants_gaming_and_excel\">Giants Gaming and EXCEL<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" src=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//wp-content//uploads//2023//12//CEO-Image-min-edited-large.png/" alt=\"giantx esports - EXCEL and Giants Gaming\" class=\"wp-image-147111\" srcset=\"https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/CEO-Image-min-edited-large.png 1024w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/CEO-Image-min-edited-medium.png 300w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/CEO-Image-min-edited-medium_large.png 768w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/CEO-Image-min-edited-1536x960.png 1536w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/CEO-Image-min-edited.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image credit: GIANTX<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-67cf7aaca1518\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n    \n<p>The end of 2023 saw the combination of two esports organisations that championed their respective regions \u2014 <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//2023//12//excel-esports-giants-gaming-merge-giantx/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">EXCEL (England) and Giants Gaming (Spain)<\/a>. Merging the two names, GIANTX was born with plans to dominate both markets under one identity. This joint merger sees those who headed up Giants Gaming focus on the Spanish market, while EXCEL handles the English-speaking market.<\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-67cf7aaca1c95\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n    \n<p>What the merger did was get the newly combined organisation into League of Legends\u2019 LEC and VALORANT\u2019s VCT. It\u2019s too soon to say how this merger will play out amongst fanbases, however, the merger continues the recent trend of consolidation in esports.<\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-heading-67cf7aaca2434\" class=\"esi-heading \">\n  \n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"los_grandes_and_team_one\">Los Grandes and Team oNe<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"800\" src=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//wp-content//uploads//2024//04//Los_Grandes_Team_oNe-min-edited.png/" alt=\"Los Grandes Team oNe merger\" class=\"wp-image-152713\" srcset=\"https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Los_Grandes_Team_oNe-min-edited.png 1280w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Los_Grandes_Team_oNe-min-edited-medium.png 300w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Los_Grandes_Team_oNe-min-edited-large.png 1024w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Los_Grandes_Team_oNe-min-edited-medium_large.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image credit: Los Grandes, Team oNe merger<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-67cf7aaca2cb7\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n    \n<p>Moving over to Brazil, LOS (<a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//2023//06//los-grandes-rebrand/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">previously Los Grandes<\/a>) merged with Six Mexico Major 2021 winner Team oNe in 2022 to <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//2022//09//los-grandes-acquires-team-one/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">further establish itself in the Brazilian esports ecosystem<\/a>. At the time of the merger, LOS stated to Esports Insider that the purchase valued the organisation at R$100m (~\u00a316.84m).<\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-67cf7aaca342b\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n    \n<p>Right now, LOS competes in League of Legends\u2019 CBLOL, BLAST\u2019s Rainbow Six ecosystem and the Free Fire emulator scene. Up until 2024 the organisation also held a Counter-Strike roster. In terms of competitive accolades, LOS has yet to win a major trophy since its merger, however, the organisation did finish runner-up at the BLAST R6 Major Atlanta in 2023.<\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-heading-67cf7aaca3be5\" class=\"esi-heading \">\n  \n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"honourable_mentions\">Honourable mentions<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//wp-content//uploads//2023//12//G2-Esports-Investor-large.jpg/" alt=\"G2 Esports Investor\" class=\"wp-image-146741\" srcset=\"https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/G2-Esports-Investor-large.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/G2-Esports-Investor-medium.jpg 300w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/G2-Esports-Investor-medium_large.jpg 768w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/G2-Esports-Investor-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/G2-Esports-Investor.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image credit: G2 Esports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-heading-67cf7aaca44b9\" class=\"esi-heading \">\n  \n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"g2_and_version1\">G2 and Version1<\/span><\/h3>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-67cf7aaca4c56\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n    \n<p>After then-Version1 COO Brett Diamond <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////digiday.com//marketing//all-options-are-on-the-table-why-version1-is-seeking-a-merger-with-another-esports-company///" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">told Digiday in 2023<\/a> that it was looking to merge with an esports company, all eyes were on which organisation would take the opportunity. It turns out that <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//2023//12//version1-g2-esports-strategic-partnership/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">it was G2<\/a> after the organisation secured a \u2018strategic partnership\u2019 with Version1 which saw the latter\u2019s parent company, WISE Ventures, become shareholders of the European esports team.<\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-67cf7aaca53e0\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n    \n<p>Whilst this was not officially described as a merger, the deal did see G2 Esports take control of Call of Duty League franchise Minnesota R\u00f8kkr in 2024 with the <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////version1.gg///" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Version1 brand retired<\/a>. Looking at this move by G2 holistically, it highlights the organisation\u2019s ambitions to cement itself into a truly global organisation, especially when combined with <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//2023//09//g2-esports-vct-americas-how-did-it-happen/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">G2\u2019s move into VCT Americas<\/a> earlier in that year.<\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-heading-67cf7aaca5b81\" class=\"esi-heading \">\n  \n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"nrg_and_clg\">NRG and CLG<\/span><\/h3>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-67cf7aaca62fa\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n    \n<p>Whilst this deal was technically an acquisition (a merger results in the creation of a new entity, whereas an acquisition adds to an existing entity), the sale<a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//2023//04//counter-logic-gaming-nrg/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> of CLG to NRG<\/a> in 2023 has to be mentioned on the list. The acquisition, which saw CLG\u2019s parent company MSG Sports own non-controlling equity in NRG, led to the retirement of one of esports\u2019 most notable League of Legends brands. As a result, NRG acquired the team\u2019s LCS franchise, making its return to League of Legends for the first time since 2016.<\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"esi-paragraph-67cf7aaca6a5a\" class=\"esi-paragraph \">\n    \n<p>The move was part of NRG\u2019s aggressive expansion plans in 2023 with the organisation entering VCT Americas<a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//2023//09//valorant-vct-americas-partner-teams/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> as an inaugural partner team<\/a>. Moreover, in its first year as an LCS franchise, NRG won the LCS 2023 Championship and qualified for the League of Legends World Championship.<\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>IEM Katowice 2024. (ESI Illustration) Image credit: Helena Kristiansson, ESL FACEIT Group Mergers are part and parcel of business and are common occurrences across entertainment, media and gaming. Mergers are often pursued to create one strong brand through the consolidation of two or more companies or as a vehicle for expansion into a new sector. &hellip; <a href=https://esportsinsider.com/"https:////esportsinsider.com//2024//04//esports-biggest-mergers/">Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":72,"featured_media":152690,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","esi_template":"default","excluded":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[242,7281,63,70,16333,239,50,15024,55,8717,5283,106,58,237,8702,240,16332,8701,18248,8723],"tags":[879,942,4376,12261,11628,4570,1069,764,9078,2327,17679,13998,16662,7015,3207,225,1219,1071,5147,14069,11050],"class_list":["post-152686","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-asia","category-call-of-duty","category-commercial","category-counter-strike","category-esports-101","category-europe","category-features","category-financial","category-esports-titles","category-insights","category-investments","category-latest-news","category-lol","category-news-by-region","category-moba","category-north-america","category-originals","category-shooters","category-top-stories","category-valorant","tag-activision-blizzard","tag-clg","tag-envy-gaming","tag-esl-faceit-group","tag-esv5","tag-excel","tag-faze-clan","tag-g2","tag-gamesquare","tag-giants-gaming","tag-giantx","tag-koi","tag-los","tag-mad-lions","tag-movistar-riders","tag-ninjas-in-pyjamas","tag-nrg","tag-optic-gaming","tag-overactive-media","tag-team-one","tag-version1"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.1 (Yoast SEO v24.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Creating goliaths: Esports\u2019 biggest mergers\u00a0\u00a0<\/title>\n<!-- Added by HTTrack --><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /><!-- /Added by HTTrack -->
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