In a surprising turn of events, renowned esports organization Evil Geniuses has reportedly offloaded its partnered BLAST team spot to Cloud9 for a staggering sum of nearly $1 million. The revelation comes from Chad “SPUNJ” Burchill, a prominent Counter-Strike 2 caster and figure, who disclosed the eye-watering figure on the recent HLTV Confirmed podcast.

Cloud9 Invests Big, Acquiring BLAST Spot from Evil Geniuses

According to SPUNJ, the transaction marks a significant shift in the esports landscape, with multiple reliable sources confirming the hefty $900,000 price tag attached to the BLAST partner spot. The intricacies of the deal reveal that Cloud9's ownership of the spot is valid for the upcoming year, aligning with Valve's impending deadline for the cessation of partner league systems in CS2 set for the early months of 2025.

SPUNJ, during the podcast episode, humorously emphasized that Cloud9 has essentially shelled out "dollary-doos" for what amounts to "two group stages" and a substantial revenue-sharing agreement with BLAST. The revenue share is anticipated to cover over 50 percent of the acquisition cost, providing Cloud9 with a strategic advantage in this high-stakes move.

The official announcement of the slot's transfer to Cloud9 was made on 17th December, signaling Evil Geniuses' apparent exit from CS2. In a statement, Evil Geniuses CEO Chris DeAppolonio expressed the organization's commitment to supporting North American CS2 talent from a distance. The departure is further highlighted by the recent release of two key members, Paytyn “junior” Johnson and Jeorge “Jeorge” Endicott.

Evil Geniuses' withdrawal from various esports has been under scrutiny for the past few months. Initial reports by veteran esports reporter Richard Lewis in early November hinted at the organization contemplating exits from both the LCS and CS2. The former materialized a few weeks later, leaving fans speculating about the organization's future. It seems that VALORANT is the only title Evil Geniuses plans to compete in for 2024, albeit potentially with a different roster than the one that clinched a world championship just months ago.

The curtain fell on Evil Geniuses' official CS2 journey with their last match held on December 7 in the ESL Challenger League for North America. As the esports landscape evolves, Cloud9's strategic acquisition sets the stage for a compelling narrative in the ever-changing world of competitive gaming.