{"id":1971,"date":"2025-03-26T16:13:33","date_gmt":"2025-03-26T16:13:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/?p=1971"},"modified":"2025-07-14T10:23:16","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T10:23:16","slug":"esports-million-dollar-club","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/esports-million-dollar-club\/","title":{"rendered":"Esports\u2019 Million-Dollar Club: The Teams Who Turned Gaming into Fortune"},"content":{"rendered":"

When I was a kid, my mom always said I\u2019d never make a living playing video games. Well, the joke\u2019s on her! It turns out that gaming isn\u2019t just a hobby; it\u2019s a goldmine if you\u2019re good enough. Some esports teams have made millions just from prize money alone, and that\u2019s not even counting sponsorships or other deals.<\/span><\/p>\n

Want to know what team is the richest? I\u2019ve got the top five richest esports teams right here, along with how they made their fortunes. Let\u2019s start with the biggest earner on the list.<\/span><\/p>\n

Team Liquid<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Valorant<\/p>\n

Team Liquid started way back in 2000 as a small StarCraft: Brood War clan, founded by Victor “Nazgul” Goossens in the Netherlands. Fast forward to today, and it\u2019s one of the biggest names in esports, competing in pretty much everything \u2014 Dota 2, League of Legends, Counter-Strike, Rainbow Six, and more. If there\u2019s a big tournament, chances are Team Liquid has a squad in it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dota 2 has been one of their strongest games, and they\u2019ve got the trophies to prove it. They won <\/span>The International<\/span><\/a> (the biggest Dota 2 tournament) in 2017 and again in 2024, which is a huge deal since no other organization has done it with two different rosters. That\u2019s like winning the Super Bowl with a completely different team.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, let\u2019s talk money – Team Liquid has made a ridiculous amount of it. We\u2019re talking over<\/span> $54 million<\/span><\/a> from almost 3,000 tournaments. That\u2019s the most of any esports team ever!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not exactly shocking when you consider how often they\u2019re competing. Some tournaments have paid off greatly \u2014 like The International 2024, where they took home $1.24 million. Others? Not so much. For example, in 2024, they won the 1win Series Dota 2 Fall tournament, taking home <\/span>$50,000 for their first-place finish<\/span><\/a>. Not every event is life-changing money.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2025, they\u2019re still putting up strong results. They won PGL Wallachia Season 3 in Dota 2, beating Tundra Esports 3-1 in the grand finals. On the flip side, their League of Legends squad had a rough time at First Stand 2025, <\/span>getting knocked out early<\/span><\/a> by Hanwha Life Esports.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to star players, Michael “miCKe” Vu and Micha\u0142 “Nisha” Jankowski have been carrying the Dota squad, pulling off clutch plays and keeping Liquid in the fight for top titles.<\/span><\/p>\n

OG<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"OG<\/p>\n

OG is the complete opposite of Team Liquid when it comes to making money in esports. While Liquid grinds out thousands of tournaments, OG has played in just over 200 \u2014 yet they\u2019ve still pulled in around <\/span>$38 million<\/span><\/a>. That\u2019s an insane earnings-per-tournament rate, and it\u2019s all thanks to their legendary Dota 2 runs.<\/span><\/p>\n

The team was founded in 2015 by Johan “N0tail” Sundstein and Tal “Fly” Aizik, originally under the name (monkey) Business before rebranding to OG. Early on, they dominated Dota 2 Majors, <\/span>winning four of them<\/span><\/a> between 2015 and 2017.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, their real claim to fame was back-to-back wins at The International in 2018 and 2019, making them the first and only team to ever do that. Those two tournaments alone earned them over $26.8 million \u2014 nearly 70% of their total winnings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

OG has hit a rough patch lately. They missed TI12, had some roster issues, and are now trying to rebuild. Their 3rd-place finish at <\/span>Asian Dragon Continental Collision in 2025<\/span><\/a> earned them $8,000, but recent results haven\u2019t been great, with <\/span>an eight-match losing streak and a 20% win rate<\/span><\/a> this past month. Still, they continue to play, hoping to turn things around.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Team Spirit<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Team<\/p>\n

Team Spirit is another esports team that proves you don’t need to play many tournaments to make serious cash. They’ve participated in just 254 tournaments but have raked over <\/span>$31 million in prize money<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Founded in 2015, Team Spirit initially flew under the radar. Their big break came in 2021 when they won The International 10 (TI10), Dota 2’s most prestigious tournament. They defeated PSG.LGD in a thrilling 3-2 grand final, taking home a whopping $18.2 million. This victory catapulted Team Spirit into the upper echelons of esports, making them one of the highest-earning teams globally.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unlike some teams that peak once and fade away, Spirit has stayed on top. They won The International 2023 (TI12), proving their TI10 run wasn\u2019t just luck. That victory brought them another $1.5 million, and they didn\u2019t stop there. In 2025, they took first place at <\/span>DreamLeague Season 25<\/span><\/a>, adding another $250,000 to the bank.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A huge part of their success comes down to their insanely skilled roster. Yatoro, Collapse, and Miposhka have been crushing it for years, while newer additions like rue have helped keep them at the top.<\/span><\/p>\n

Evil Geniuses\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Evil<\/p>\n

Evil Geniuses is the definition of a multi-game menace. Unlike teams that stick to just one or two esports, EG has been everywhere \u2014 Dota 2, Counter-Strike, League of Legends, Halo, Call of Duty, even StarCraft back in the day. That\u2019s their thing: they\u2019re one of the most versatile organizations in esports and have racked up <\/span>$28.5 million in winnings<\/span><\/a> across over 1,000 tournaments.<\/span><\/p>\n

Evil Geniuses was founded in 1999, but their biggest moment came in 2015 when they won The International 5 (TI5) in Dota 2. That one tournament alone brought them $6.6 million, making it their highest-earning event. Since then, they\u2019ve stayed relevant by constantly adapting, whether it\u2019s dominating in Halo, winning the <\/span>Call of Duty World League Championship in 2018<\/span><\/a>, or putting together a solid Counter-Strike squad.<\/span><\/p>\n

EG\u2019s Dota 2 team is still their pride and joy, though things have not been that good lately. They placed 9th-12th at The International 2023, a decent result but nowhere near their past glory. Meanwhile, their Counter-Strike team had a rough 2024, missing several big tournaments, though they\u2019re still pushing to rebuild.<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, even after 25 years in the game, EG refuses to be just another team. They jump into new games, rebuild when things go south, and somehow keep finding ways to stay in the conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n

NAVI<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Natus<\/p>\n

Natus Vincere, or NAVI, has been around since 2009, and they\u2019ve built one of the most legendary brands in esports. They are at the top across multiple games, but Counter-Strike is where they really made their name. With <\/span>$19.6 million in total earnings <\/span><\/a>from almost 700 tournaments, they\u2019ve been a force to be reckoned with.<\/span><\/p>\n

NAVI\u2019s biggest claim to fame was in 2021, when they <\/span>won the Intel Grand Slam<\/span><\/a> without losing a single map. That\u2019s not just a big deal \u2014 it\u2019s huge. That one win netted them $1 million, and they followed that up by winning the <\/span>PGL Major Stockholm for another $1 million<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

But it\u2019s not just CS:GO. NAVI\u2019s Dota 2 team made waves back in the day, too. In 2011, they won The International 2011, taking home $1 million, which was massive for Dota at the time. They also made three straight TI finals from 2011 to 2013, something only a few teams have done. One of the latest NAVI achievements is a win in the <\/span>2024 PGL Copenhagen Major<\/span><\/a>, where they took home $500,000.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As for players, s1mple is obviously the biggest name. He\u2019s pretty much considered the best CS:GO player of all time, and he’s been the backbone of NAVI\u2019s success for years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can\u2019t talk about NAVI without mentioning Dendi, too\u2014he was the face of the team during their Dota 2 glory days, and even though he\u2019s now playing for the <\/span>B8<\/span><\/a> organization he founded, he\u2019s still remembered as one of the best.<\/span><\/p>\n

Final thoughts<\/span><\/h2>\n

When you’re the best at what you do, the money follows\u2014and these teams prove it. And that\u2019s just prize money. Sponsorships, merchandise, content creation, and even in-game items add huge amounts to their earnings. Take NAVI\u2019s s1mple, for example\u2014besides his tournament winnings, he\u2019s landed <\/span>big sponsorship deals<\/span><\/a> with Logitech, Puma, and Philips OneBlade. Many top players also have Twitch and YouTube channels, making even more through streaming and ads.<\/span><\/p>\n

As for you? Esports isn\u2019t just for the pros. You can start earning on esports too, if not by playing, then by betting on the best. Check out our esports betting guides on <\/span>Dota 2<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>CS:GO<\/span><\/a> to get started.<\/span><\/p>\n

FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n

Can I use crypto for esports betting?<\/b><\/p>\n

Yes, you can! Many platforms now accept crypto esports betting, including popular currencies like Bitcoin. It\u2019s a faster, cheaper, more private, and more secure way to place bets on your favorite teams and players than traditional online betting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the advantages of Bitcoin esports betting?<\/b><\/p>\n

Bitcoin esports betting has a few key benefits. For one, it\u2019s super quick\u2014you can deposit and withdraw in minutes without worrying about long bank processing times. Plus, Bitcoin transactions are typically lower in fees compared to traditional banking methods. If you\u2019re into crypto esports betting, it\u2019s a great way to keep your bets secure and convenient.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is it safe to bet on esports with Bitcoin?<\/b><\/p>\n

Yes, betting on esports with Bitcoin is generally safe as long as you\u2019re using a trusted platform. Many esports betting sites are based on blockchain and have strong security measures in place, making betting transparent and safe. Just make sure you\u2019re on a legit site, and you\u2019ll enjoy a safe and smooth betting experience with your crypto.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When I was a kid, my mom always said I\u2019d never make a living playing video games. Well, the joke\u2019s on her! It turns out that gaming isn\u2019t just a hobby; it\u2019s a goldmine if you\u2019re good enough. Some esports teams have made millions just from prize money alone, and that\u2019s not even counting sponsorships or other deals. Want to know what team is the richest? I\u2019ve got the top five richest esports teams right here, along with how they made their fortunes. Let\u2019s start with the biggest earner on the list. Team Liquid Team Liquid started way back in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":1981,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[133],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1971","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides","post--single"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club.jpg",1200,628,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club-300x157.jpg",300,157,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club-768x402.jpg",768,402,true],"large":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club-1024x536.jpg",1024,536,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club.jpg",1200,628,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club.jpg",1200,628,false],"ceris-xxxs-1_1":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club-70x70.jpg",70,70,true],"ceris-xxs-4_3":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club-180x135.jpg",180,135,true],"ceris-xxs-1_1":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club-180x180.jpg",180,180,true],"ceris-xs-16_9 400x225":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club-400x225.jpg",400,225,true],"ceris-xs-4_3":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club-400x300.jpg",400,300,true],"ceris-xs-2_1":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club-400x200.jpg",400,200,true],"ceris-xs-1_1":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club-400x400.jpg",400,400,true],"ceris-xs-16_9":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club-600x338.jpg",600,338,true],"ceris-s-4_3":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club-600x450.jpg",600,450,true],"ceris-s-2_1":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club-600x300.jpg",600,300,true],"ceris-s-1_1":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club-600x600.jpg",600,600,true],"ceris-m-16_9":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club-800x450.jpg",800,450,true],"ceris-m-4_3":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club-800x600.jpg",800,600,true],"ceris-m-2_1":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club-800x400.jpg",800,400,true],"ceris-m-auto":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club-800x419.jpg",800,419,true],"ceris-l-16_9":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club.jpg",1200,628,false],"ceris-l-4_3":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club.jpg",1200,628,false],"ceris-l-2_1":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club-1200x600.jpg",1200,600,true],"ceris-xl-16_9":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club.jpg",1200,628,false],"ceris-xl-4_3":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club.jpg",1200,628,false],"ceris-xl-2_1":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club.jpg",1200,628,false],"ceris-xxl":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club.jpg",1200,628,false],"menu-24x24":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club-24x13.jpg",24,13,true],"menu-36x36":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club-36x19.jpg",36,19,true],"menu-48x48":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club-48x25.jpg",48,25,true],"sow-carousel-default":["https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Million-Dollar-Club-272x182.jpg",272,182,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Sophia Thorne","author_link":"https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/author\/sophia-thorne\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"When I was a kid, my mom always said I\u2019d never make a living playing video games. Well, the joke\u2019s on her! It turns out that gaming isn\u2019t just a hobby; it\u2019s a goldmine if you\u2019re good enough. Some esports teams have made millions just from prize money alone, and that\u2019s not even counting sponsorships…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1971","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1971"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1971\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1983,"href":"https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1971\/revisions\/1983"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1981"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1971"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1971"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportbet.one\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1971"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}