Esports teams owned by/founded by content creators

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With the boom in esports and streaming and their increasingly important interdependence on each other, it is no surprise to see that many of the most popular content creators play games when broadcasting. It has also meant that many legendary esports professionals retire to become gaming streamers as it is lucrative and perhaps less stressful on a daily basis.

Also, many successful streamers have invested in esports organizations and teams, unlocking new opportunities and potential for themselves and these companies. With that in mind, here are some content creators who own or have founded esports sides over the years.

Team Heretics — Owned by streamer TheGrefg

  A famous Spanish esports organization   

Team Heretics is a Spanish esports organization founded in 2016 by the massively-popular TheGrefg. The side has cycled through lots of games over the years and at one point had a strong CS:GO team that even played in RMR tournaments, won the French national championships, and participated in LAN events. Today, the club has teams in Valorant, League of Legends, and FIFA.

Karmine Corp — Owned by streamer Kameto

  ScreaM is part of the Karmine Corp family   

Karmine Corp came into existence in 2020 thanks to streamer Kameto. As a result, the French esports organization is one of the most popular in its region, although it has stayed away from buying a slot in the LEC franchise (as of now), much to the chagrin of fans. The club also has Valorant and Rocket League line-ups, even signing CS:GO and Valorant superstars like Rekkles and ScreaM. There were also plans to sign a CS:GO squad, but nothing has materialized so far.

LOUD — Owned by YouTuber PlayHard

  Perhaps Brazil and Latin America’s most popular side   

Switching our attention to Brazil, LOUD was founded in 2019 by YouTuber PlayHard and has been on a roll ever since. Having started with Free Fire, the organization has adopted Valorant and League of Legends, with success in the shooter over the last year giving them legitimacy. The club has perhaps the most supported esports sides in the world, with the entirety of Latin America often banding together to show their love for them.

KOI — Co-owned by streamer Ibai and football legend Gerard Pique

  KOI is owned by one of the biggest streamers globally   

KOI, another Spanish esports organization, was founded at the tail end of 2021 by former Barcelona and Spain defender Gerard Piquet and legendary content creator Ibai. The company has seen much success in the year and a half since, importantly getting included in the Valorant affiliate program and partnering up with Rogue's League of Legends, Rainbow Six, and Rocket League rosters. These teams regularly do high viewership numbers and are some of the most supported across esports disciplines.

Gentle Mates — Co-owned by French streamer Gotaga, Squeezie

  Gotaga has experience as a pro thanks to his time as a COD gamer   

Popular Team Vitality streamer Gotaga had been rumored for the past few months to be in talks to start an esports organization that will start its journey in the French Valorant league by obtaining the last spot in this competition. And now, the club, called Gentle Mates, is finally up and running, as the former Call of Duty pro and two other leading influencers in their respective fields — Squeezie and Brawks — decided to join forces for the common project  The roster is led by Wailers and beyAz, trusted by Gotaga thanks to their time together playing COD together for Team Vitality.

Moist Esports — Co-owned by streamers Cr1TiKaL, Ludwig

  Ludwig is another streamer who co-owns this esports org   

Moist Esports was founded in the summer of 2021 and has become highly popular in the short period since, thanks to its ownership. The North American esports organization's founder is the highly influential streamer, Cr1TiKaL, with another big-name gaming creator, Ludwig, joining soon after. The club has entered a few mobile esports disciplines, Rocket League, Apex Legends, Super Smash Bros., and Valorant.

#7 Fluxo — Co-owned by streamers Nobru and Cerol

  Fluxo is one of the biggest esports orgs in Brazil   

Founded in 2019 by two of the most popular Free Fire YouTubers in Brazil, Nobru and Cerol, Fluxo currently has teams in Free Fire, LoL, CS:GO, and Arena of Valor. The mobile battle royale shooter and the legendary FPS game have been its most successful endeavors, with the former personality being a former world champion in Garena’s flagship shooter. Cerol himself was handed the “Best Streamer” gong in the country at the eSports Brasil Award in 2019, right before he got together with Nobru to form Fluxo.

100 Thieves — Co-owned by former pro player and current streamer Nadeshot and streamers Valkyrae, CouRageJD

  100T delves into quite a lot of esports disciplines   

One of the biggest names in the industry, 100 Thieves, came into existence in 2016 thanks to the efforts of its owner, former pro gamer and streamer Nadeshot. A few years later, two more famous content creators, Valkyrae and CouRageJD, became the North American esports organization's co-owners. Over the years, 100T has played in CS:GO, LoL, Apex Legends, Fortnite, and Call of Duty, alongside making the partnership program for the American League of Valorant last year.

Mandatory — Owned by streamer ZeratoR

  Mandatory’s Valorant roster for 2023   

Mandatory is owned by French videographer ZeratoR, who specializes in video games, and is currently one of the leading teams in Valorant in the country. The organization joined the French Valorant scene in January 2022 and has won two events so far, the VRL France: Revolution - Coupe De France 2022 and the Lyon e-Sport 2022. ZeratoR, also the CEO of the indie video game development firm Unexpected Studio, has also played a part in TrackMania esports becoming highly popular, especially in France.

NNO Prime - Owned by its streamer roster, led by Broeki

  NNOP is a team of streamers turned pro players   

One of the more unlikely success stories in League of Legends recently, NNO Prime started off as No Need Orga, a team of streamers led by Broeki. They won the Prime League 2nd Division Summer 2022 to gain promotion to the Prime League 1st Division, but due to restrictions on eligibility, the team members came together to form NNOP and continue participating in the highest LoL league in their country. Despite a lack of success after their initial win, they continue to be followed by millions of their followers, even capitalizing on this by opening a merch shop.

S8ul Esports — Co-owned by streamers Mortal, 8Bit Thug, Goldy

  This org is owned by three top content creators   

Team S8ul came into being as s result of a merger between Team SouL and 8bit, two major esports organizations. The Indian side started with teams in games like Clash of Clans, Clash Royale, and Free Fire before settling for rosters in BGMI, COD Mobile, and Valorant. The club came together thanks to three renowned Indian esports players and streamers: Mortal, 8Bit Thug, and Goldy.

MiTH — Co-owned by YouTuber Chanignun Thipairote

  Mith has been very successful in mobile esports   

MiTH, full form Made in Thailand, was founded by YouTuber Chanignun Thipairote in 2012. It has the distinction of being one of the oldest esports organizations in the Asian country, with teams that participate in disciplines like Heroes of Newerth, CS:GO, Point Blank, FIFA Online 3, Starcraft II, Special Force 2, Heroes of the Storm, and PUBG PC. Recently, esports company Ampverse acquired a majority stake in the firm, adding Mith to its portfolio of owned and operated esports assets that also contains Bacon Time and SBTC Esports.

Big Bang Esports — Co-owned by YouTuber Carryminati

  Carryminati is one of the most recognizable gaming YouTubers in India   

Bang Bang Media Ventures (BBMVPL) owns the renowned esports firm based in Mumbai, Big Bang, and it was recently chosen by The International Esports Federation (IESF) to launch the inaugural Asia Open Esports Championship. The online event held four games with participation from more than 35 countries, making it one of the most prominent in Asia and the Middle East. Soon after, it was revealed that Indian YouTube star Carryminati and his business partner Deepak Char purchased a 10% share in Big Bang Media Ventures' esports section.

Blacklist International — Co-founded by esports veteran Tryke Gutierrez

  Co-founders Tryke Gutierrez and Alodia Gosiengfiao with Blacklist International’s MLBB squad   

Blacklist International comes under the umbrella of Tier One Entertainment, which was co-founded by esports player turned entrepreneur Tryke Gutierrez. The Southeast Asian esports organization has competitive esports divisions in PUBG, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Garena Free Fire, and Call of Duty: Mobile, alongside collaborations with Rivalry in Dota 2 and G2 Esports in League of Legends: Wild Rift.

GodLike Esports — Owned by streamer Kronten

  One of the best BGMI teams globally today   

GodLike Esports is home to one of the best BGMI teams globally, thanks to the presence of stalwarts like Jonathan and Clutchgod on its roster. The Indian esports organization was started by Kronten, a renowned BGMI player and streamer, in 2018. This club has the distinction of being the first to represent India in the PUBG Mobile Global Championship (PMGC 2021) and has rosters in BGMI, Valorant, Free Fire, COD Mobile, FIFA, and New State Mobile.

Myriad Esports — Owned by celebrity streamer Alden Richards

  Myriad Esports is as busy hosting tournaments in the Philippines as it is playing them   

Actor Alden Richards, also one of the most iconic celebrities and streamers in the Philippines, Alden Richards, announced last year that he would venture into the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) esports scene with his own team, Myriad Esports. The organization also hosts esports tournaments, most notably the Myriad Esports Cup, apart from creating videos and content for clients. When it comes to organizing events, the company aims to provide amateur gamers a platform to showcase their talents as they are seen as the future of esports in the country.

HELL PIGS — Owned by streamer godtone

  Hell Pigs are a relatively new team on this list   

This Taiwanese esports organization is owned by League of Legends esports player and streamer godtone. HELL PIGS has only participated in one major event so far, finishing tenth at the PCS Spring 2023 after finishing eighth in the Group Stage and failing to qualify for the Playoffs. The firm entered the LoL scene earlier this year after taking over the PCS spot of Meta Falcon Team.

Joblife Esports — Owned by streamer JLTomy

  Joblife Esports participates in the second division of the French LoL league   

Also known as Jobless or JL, Joblife is a French team owned by a famous content creator from the country, JLTomy. The organization has been participating in the LFL Division 2 for a few years but has not been really successful. Meanwhile, despite owning an LoL team, its owner has been a regular user of Grand Theft Auto V, Valorant, and Just Chatting on his Twitch channel.

There have also been rumors about content creators like xQc — no stranger to esports — claiming on stream that he would “buy a Valorant roster.” The former Overwatch pro even tweeted that “esports teams aren’t profitable, creator-backed teams are,” but it remains to be seen what comes of it. Similarly, former and current athletes have invested in esports teams, proving that it is a domain that is no longer seen as niche, and such instances are only going to increase hereon.