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Cloud9 acquires Evil Geniuses BLAST Premier Slot
Cloud9, the american esports organization, has secured the BLAST Premier slot previously held by Evil Geniuses (EG). The North American organization's acquisition was announced by BLAST, following a competitive bidding process.
Cloud9 will make their debut in the BLAST Premier Spring Groups in January 2024, marking a significant development in the dynamic world of Counter-Strike. This move comes as Valve has initiated the end of team and tournament organizer partnerships starting in 2025.
Cloud9 and the strategic advantage this slot provides
For Cloud9, this acquisition represents a strategic boon, alleviating the often challenging qualification routes their Russian lineup had to endure for flagship events hosted by major tournament operators such as BLAST and ESL.
Notably, Cloud9 is not currently a member of ESL's partnership arrangement, the Louvre Agreement. Jack Etienne, Cloud9's CEO, expressed his enthusiasm, stating that joining the prestigious BLAST Premier league reflects the organization's commitment to global excellence and competitiveness in the Counter-Strike scene.
Evil Geniuses and their organization overhaul
As Cloud9 celebrates its entry into BLAST Premier, Evil Geniuses bids farewell to the league. Chris DeAppolonio, CEO of Evil Geniuses, conveyed gratitude for the three years the team competed in the Premier league.
Notably, there are reports, as highlighted by Richard Lewis, that Evil Geniuses may soon drop its Counter-Strike division and potentially sell the brand entirely, citing behind-the-scenes struggles.
Community reaction to the news
Community response to the news of Cloud9 acquiring EG's BLAST Premier slot has been diverse, with a combination of excitement, skepticism, and reflections on the departing team's legacy.
Some members expressed joy, emphasizing the improvement Cloud9 brings, particularly in avoiding what they deemed a lackluster performance by EG in tier-one events. Discussions about EG's standing in the ESL Pro League surfaced, with many anticipating that it might not last long given Valve's impending changes.
Opinions favoring Cloud9's prowess over EG were evident, with users emphasizing the substantial upgrade Cloud9 represents. The sentiment that Cloud9 is far superior to EG was underscored, and some users humorously remarked on the stark competitive contrast between the two teams.
The consensus among these commenters was that Cloud9's entry into BLAST Premier brings a refreshing change, replacing what some perceived as an underperforming and less competitive team.
However, there were dissenting voices in the community. Some users expressed dissatisfaction, characterizing the switch as a downgrade and counter-arguing that Cloud9 is now as bad as Evil Geniuses.
This viewpoint sparked debates among fans, initiating discussions on the relative strengths and weaknesses of both Cloud9 and EG. The community's diverse reactions highlight the subjective nature of team acquisitions in the ever-evolving landscape of professional Counter-Strike.
Looking Ahead
In summary, as Cloud9 gears up for its BLAST Premier debut, the community's anticipation and discussions surrounding this acquisition continue to unfold.
The move signifies the ever-evolving landscape of professional Counter-Strike and raises questions about the future of organizations like Evil Geniuses amid reported challenges. Only time will tell how this strategic maneuver also shapes the trajectory of Cloud9 and influences the broader competitive Counter-Strike ecosystem.
Feature image credits: Blast.tv
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