Evil Geniuses

Evil Geniuses (EG) is a prominent American esports organization founded in 1999. Originally established in Victoria, Canada, the company is now based in Seattle, Washington, and is one of the oldest active esports brands. Throughout its history, EG has fielded competitive teams in a wide array of games, including Dota 2, Counter-Strike, League of Legends, StarCraft II, Call of Duty, and Valorant.

The organization has a storied history of ownership changes and significant achievements. It was acquired by Twitch in 2014 before becoming a player-owned organization in late 2016, with former Dota 2 player Peter "ppd" Dager serving as CEO. In May 2019, the investment firm PEAK6 Investments acquired Evil Geniuses, appointing Nicole LaPointe Jameson as CEO to revitalize the brand. LaPointe Jameson, a graduate of Columbia University with a background in private equity and turning around distressed businesses, led the company through a period of rebranding and expansion. She stepped down in September 2023, with Chris DeAppolonio taking over as interim and later permanent CEO.

Evil Geniuses generates revenue through tournament winnings, sponsorships with partners like Hewlett Packard Enterprise and formerly Coinbase, and merchandise sales. The business model focuses on building championship-caliber rosters and leveraging a data-driven approach to talent scouting and strategy. Key victories include winning The International 2015 (Dota 2), the 2018 Call of Duty Championship, and the 2023 Valorant Champions tournament. However, the organization has faced significant challenges, including controversies over player treatment, which led to a damaged reputation. In late 2023 and early 2024, EG underwent a major restructuring, ceasing operations in several major esports titles, including Dota 2, League of Legends (LCS), and Counter-Strike, amidst layoffs and reports of financial difficulties. As of mid-2024, the organization's primary focus is on its Valorant team, having launched a rebrand to move past recent controversies and rebuild its legacy.

Keywords: esports organization, professional gaming, Valorant, Dota 2, League of Legends, Counter-Strike, championship team, PEAK6, Nicole LaPointe Jameson, Chris DeAppolonio, esports history, Seattle esports, gaming competitions, VCT Champions, The International, player management, esports sponsorships, data-driven esports, competitive gaming, North American esports