North American-primarily based totally esports company Cloud9 becomes a BLAST Premier Member Team for the 2024 season after obtaining the slot owned via way of means of Evil Geniuses, following a aggressive bidding procedure.
Founded in 2013, Cloud9 is a international–famend esports company primarily based totally out of Los Angeles, California, United States and is presently ranked eleventh withinside the international in Counter-Strike.
Dating again to 2014, Cloud9 have had a long-status presence in Counter-Strike with many remembering Cloud9’s underdog victory at ELEAGUE Boston 2018 and have been a ordinary presence withinside the BLAST Pro Series occasions among 2017-2019. Rejoining the scene in 2022, Cloud9’s new Counter-Strike roster has made sturdy development withinside the North American scene, maximum currently having fulfillment at IEM Rio, IEM Dallas, and BLAST Premier Fall Final Copenhagen.
A aggressive bidding procedure became undertaken after Evil Geniuses determined to promote their Member Team slot, having featured in BLAST Premier’s international match circuit given that its inception in February 2020.
Andrew Haworth, Programme Director for BLAST Premier, said: “We are thrilled to feature Cloud9 to our solid of international–main esports firms for the 2024 BLAST Premier season in what’s shaping as much as be an thrilling yr with area occasions set for London and Copenhagen. Cloud9 has an illustrious records in Counter-Strike and could carry lots to the tournaments with their addition for the approaching season. We thank Evil Geniuses for his or her guide and participation during the last 3 years and desire them all of the first-class withinside the future. The aggressive bidding procedure undertaken similarly highlights the increase and improvement BLAST Premier has loved yr-on-on-yr.”
Jack Etienne, Co-Founder and CEO of Cloud9, said: “I am pleased to announce Cloud9’s participation in BLAST Premier. Joining this prestigious league displays our dedication to excellence and competitiveness on a international stage. We look ahead to showcasing the talent and resolution of our proficient gamers as we retain our CS2 adventure with BLAST Premier.”
Chris DeAppolonio, CEO for EG, said: “Since its inaugural season, Evil Geniuses has supported and took part in BLAST Premier as a part of our dedication to the NA Counter-Strike scene. While we are able to now not take part in Premier going forward, we’re grateful for the 3 years we competed and look ahead to assisting NA Counter-Strike skills in the league from afar.”
BLAST Premier Member Teams: Astralis, NIP, G2 Esports, OG, Team Vitality, NAVI, FaZe Clan, Complexity, Team Liquid, Heroic, Cloud9 and BIG.