Clutch Gaming

Riot Games, the creator of League of Legends, announced on May 31, 2017, that the North American League of Legends Championship Series (NA LCS) would discontinue its promotion and relegation system and adopt a franchise model reminiscent of traditional sports leagues by the 2018 season.{{cite news |last=Volk |first=Pete |title=NA LCS is franchising. Here's what that means |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/6/1/15720812/na-lcs-franchising-explanation-summary-lol-revenue-sharing |access-date=April 6, 2025 |work=Polygon |date=June 1, 2017 |quotation=Riot Games revealed its plans to franchise the North American League of Legends Championship Series Wednesday [May 31, 2017], following up on an initial announcement of intended franchising in 2016. Now we know more about the process and timeline: franchising is scheduled to be completed by the start of the 2018 season. All NA LCS teams will be permanent partners of the league, which means the elimination of the promotion and relegation system.}} ESPN reported in October 2017 that Riot Games had accepted an application from the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association to join the NA LCS.{{cite news |last=Wolf |first=Jacob |title=Sources: NA LCS team roster finalized with Rockets |url=https://www.espn.com/gaming/story/_/id/21083479/league-legends-north-american-league-championship-series-team-roster-finalized-houston-rockets |access-date=April 6, 2025 |work=ESPN |date=October 19, 2017 |language=en}} On November 20, 2017, Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta confirmed his organization's acquisition of a spot in the NA LCS, as well as the team's name: Clutch Gaming.{{cite news |last1=Mickunas |first1=Aaron |title=Houston Rockets' head of esports on joining the NA LCS: "We're just really excited to get started" |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/clutch-gaming-houston-rockets-tilman-fertitta-accepted-into-na-lcs-18845 |access-date=July 28, 2022 |work=Dot Esports |date=November 20, 2017 |archive-date=July 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220728010135/https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/clutch-gaming-houston-rockets-tilman-fertitta-accepted-into-na-lcs-18845 |url-status=live }}

Clutch Gaming's inaugural roster consisted of Solo, Lira, Febiven, Apollo, and Hakuho. Lira, Apollo, and Hakuho were previously members of Team Envy, which competed in the 2017 NA LCS season but was not accepted into the franchised league.{{cite news |title=Sources: Rockets-owned Clutch Gaming looking to get Apollo, LirA and Hakuho |url=http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/21504494/rockets-owned-clutch-gaming-looking-get-apollo-lira-hakuho |access-date=February 5, 2018 |work=ESPN |archive-date=February 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205130217/http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/21504494/rockets-owned-clutch-gaming-looking-get-apollo-lira-hakuho |url-status=live }} Solo joined from Gold Coin United of the North American Challenger Series, the secondary league of the NA LCS, while Febiven came from H2K of the European League of Legends Championship Series.{{cite news|title=Sources: Febiven, Solo sign with Clutch Gaming|url=http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/21534736/febiven-solo-sign-clutch-gaming|access-date=February 5, 2018|work=ESPN|archive-date=February 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206002442/http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/21534736/febiven-solo-sign-clutch-gaming|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Goslin |first1=Austen |title=Follow the star-studded NA LCS Promotion Tournament here |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/8/11/16127826/na-lcs-summer-promotion-2017-schedule-stream-results-lol |access-date=May 24, 2025 |work=Polygon |date=August 11, 2017 |archive-date=May 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250507155938/https://www.polygon.com/2017/8/11/16127826/na-lcs-summer-promotion-2017-schedule-stream-results-lol |url-status=live }}

Clutch Gaming finished sixth in the 2018 NA LCS Spring Split regular season with a record of 11 wins and 9 losses, after losing tiebreaker matches against Team SoloMid (TSM) and Cloud9.{{cite news |last1=Li |first1=Xing |date=March 22, 2018 |title=What happened to Clutch Gaming? |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/what-happened-clutch-gaming-na-lcs-spring-split-22102#list-1 |access-date=March 25, 2018 |work=Dot Esports |archive-date=March 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326141515/https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/what-happened-clutch-gaming-na-lcs-spring-split-22102#list-1 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|title=NA LCS 2018 Spring Split {{!}} Teams and Standings|url=https://www.lolesports.com/en_US/na-lcs/na_2018_spring/standings/regular_season|website=LoL Esports|publisher=Riot Games|access-date=March 25, 2018|archive-date=March 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326064337/https://www.lolesports.com/en_US/na-lcs/na_2018_spring/standings/regular_season|url-status=dead}} Despite having what Xing Li of Dot Esports described as a "strong enough start" to the regular season, Clutch Gaming struggled against the top-tier teams of the league, although they managed a win against second-place Echo Fox near the season's end. Clutch Gaming's regular season placement qualified the team for their inaugural playoffs run, with TSM being their first opponents in the quarterfinals.{{cite news |last1=Li |first1=Xing |date=March 24, 2018 |title=All eyes are on the bot lane when Clutch Gaming face TSM tomorrow |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/clutch-gaming-tsm-na-lcs-preview-22161 |access-date=March 25, 2018 |work=Dot Esports |archive-date=March 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326141449/https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/clutch-gaming-tsm-na-lcs-preview-22161 |url-status=live }} TSM, then the NA LCS's three-time defending champions, were favored by analysts to win the matchup due to their players' experience and the team's longstanding domestic dominance. However, in an upset result, Clutch Gaming defeated TSM 3–1, advancing to the semifinals and knocking TSM out of playoffs; it marked the first time TSM had missed an NA LCS finals.{{cite news|last1=Li|first1=Xing|title=Clutch Gaming dismantle TSM to advance to the NA LCS semifinals|url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/clutch-beat-tsm-na-lcs-recap-22183|access-date=March 26, 2018|work=Dot Esports|date=March 25, 2018|archive-date=March 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326142127/https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/clutch-beat-tsm-na-lcs-recap-22183|url-status=live}} The team's playoff success was nonetheless short-lived. Clutch Gaming lost 2–3 to 100 Thieves in a close semifinals series, with the last game lasting 74 minutes.{{cite news |last1=Mickunas |first1=Aaron |date=April 1, 2018 |title=Aphromoo will face Doublelift in the NA LCS finals after 100 Thieves win a grueling 5-game series against Clutch Gaming |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/100-thieves-clutch-gaming-na-lcs-semis-april-1-22375 |access-date=April 1, 2018 |work=Dot Esports |archive-date=April 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402101535/https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/100-thieves-clutch-gaming-na-lcs-semis-april-1-22375 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Donigan |first1=Wyatt |date=April 1, 2018 |title=LoL: 100 Thieves beats Clutch in five-game semifinal |url=http://tv5.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/22995576/north-american-league-legends-championship-series-second-semifinal-recap |access-date=April 1, 2018 |work=ESPN}} The team ultimately finished fourth in playoffs after Echo Fox defeated them 3–0 in the third-place decider match.{{cite news|last1=Mickunas|first1=Aaron|title=Echo Fox sweep Clutch Gaming to secure third place in the 2018 NA LCS Spring Split|url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/na-lcs-2018-spring-split-third-place-clutch-echo-22563|access-date=April 8, 2018|work=Dot Esports|date=April 7, 2018|archive-date=April 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408210046/https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/na-lcs-2018-spring-split-third-place-clutch-echo-22563|url-status=live}}

Clutch Gaming ended the 2018 NA LCS Summer Split regular season in ninth place with a 6–12 record and did not qualify for playoffs.{{cite web |title=NA LCS 2018 Summer Split {{!}} Teams and Standings |url=https://www.lolesports.com/en_US/na-lcs/na_2018_summer/standings/regular_season |website=LoL Esports |publisher=Riot Games |access-date=August 26, 2018 |archive-date=August 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827075320/https://www.lolesports.com/en_US/na-lcs/na_2018_summer/standings/regular_season |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |last1=Goslin |first1=Austen |title=How to watch the 2018 NA LCS Regional Qualifier gauntlet: Streams, schedule and results |url=https://www.riftherald.com/2018/9/13/17856190/watch-2018-na-lcs-regional-qualifier-gauntlet-schedule-results-tsm-c9 |access-date=September 15, 2018 |work=The Rift Herald |date=September 13, 2018 |archive-date=January 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126194804/https://www.riftherald.com/2018/9/13/17856190/watch-2018-na-lcs-regional-qualifier-gauntlet-schedule-results-tsm-c9 |url-status=dead}} However, the team's fourth-place playoff finish in the previous split earned them a spot in the 2018 NA LCS Regional Qualifier for that year's World Championship (colloquially "Worlds"). Echo Fox once again defeated Clutch Gaming 3–0 in the first round of the regional qualifier, eliminating Clutch Gaming from Worlds contention.{{cite news |last1=Geddes |first1=Chase |title=Echo Fox survives Round 1 of NA LCS gauntlet |url=http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/24678732/echo-fox-survives-round-1-na-lcs-gauntlet-beats-clutch-gaming |access-date=September 15, 2018 |work=ESPN |date=September 14, 2018 |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916022921/http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/24678732/echo-fox-survives-round-1-na-lcs-gauntlet-beats-clutch-gaming |url-status=live }}

In late November 2018, Clutch Gaming and Echo Fox traded players in preparation for the upcoming 2019 LCS Spring Split (the league had rebranded and removed "NA" from its name{{cite news |last1=Goslin |first1=Austen |title=The NA LCS is changing its name and returning on Jan. 26 2019 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/12/13/18139686/na-lcs-name-change-start-date |access-date=May 24, 2025 |work=Polygon |date=December 13, 2018 |archive-date=May 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508161811/https://www.polygon.com/2018/12/13/18139686/na-lcs-name-change-start-date |url-status=live }}). Solo, Apollo, and Hakuho joined Echo Fox, and in return, Clutch Gaming received Huni and Damonte.{{cite news |last=Jang |first=David |title=[Official] Huni Joins Clutch Gaming with Damonte |url=https://www.invenglobal.com/articles/6853/official-huni-joins-clutch-gaming-with-damonte |access-date=April 6, 2025 |work=Inven Global |date=November 28, 2018 |language=en |archive-date=November 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130062617/https://www.invenglobal.com/articles/6853/official-huni-joins-clutch-gaming-with-damonte |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Binkowski |first=Justin |title=Echo Fox reportedly set to acquire Solo, Apollo, and Hakuho from Clutch Gaming |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/echo-fox-reportedly-set-to-acquire-solo-apollo-and-hakuho-from-clutch-gaming |access-date=January 12, 2019 |work=Dot Esports |date=November 24, 2018 |archive-date=January 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113232224/https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/echo-fox-reportedly-set-to-acquire-solo-apollo-and-hakuho-from-clutch-gaming |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Binkowski |first1=Justin |title=Clutch Gaming reportedly signs Damonte to complete its 2019 NA LCS roster |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/clutch-gaming-reportedly-signs-damonte-to-complete-its-2019-na-lcs-roster |access-date=January 12, 2019 |work=Dot Esports |date=November 24, 2018 |archive-date=January 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113232313/https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/clutch-gaming-reportedly-signs-damonte-to-complete-its-2019-na-lcs-roster |url-status=live }} Piglet and Vulcan, who had been promoted from Clutch Gaming's academy team during the summer regular season, completed the roster.{{cite news |last1=Goslin |first1=Austen |title=Piglet returns to the LCS as the new ADC for Clutch Gaming |url=https://www.riftherald.com/2018/7/27/17623340/piglet-returns-na-lcs-clutch-gaming |access-date=January 12, 2019 |work=The Rift Herald |date=July 27, 2018 |archive-date=January 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113122445/https://www.riftherald.com/2018/7/27/17623340/piglet-returns-na-lcs-clutch-gaming |url-status=dead}}

Despite victories against playoff contenders, including eventual spring finalists TSM, Clutch Gaming concluded the 2019 LCS Spring Split regular season in ninth place again, this time with a 5–13 record.{{cite news |last=Zamora |first=Steven |title=Clutch Gaming: 2019 Summer Split Preview |url=https://thegamehaus.com/esports/clutch-gaming-2019-summer-split-preview/2019/05/29/ |work=The Game Haus |access-date=March 11, 2022 |date=May 29, 2019}}{{cite news |title=Clutch Gaming complete dramatic turnaround to make world championship |url=https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/27573205/clutch-gaming-complete-dramatic-turnaround-make-world-championship |access-date=May 24, 2025 |work=ESPN |date=September 9, 2019 |language=en}} The team subsequently announced that it would replace Piglet with Cody Sun as the team's starting bot laner for the summer split. During the spring split, Cody Sun had been playing for Clutch Gaming's academy team, but he played for the main team for one weekend's games.{{cite news |last1=Esguerra |first1=Tyler |title=Cody Sun will be Clutch Gaming's starting ADC for week one of the 2019 LCS Summer Split |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/cody-sun-clutch-starting-adc-week-one-2019-lcs-summer |access-date=August 19, 2019 |work=Dot Esports |date=May 27, 2019 |archive-date=August 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820042716/https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/cody-sun-clutch-starting-adc-week-one-2019-lcs-summer |url-status=live }}

Clutch Gaming's final victory against Golden Guardians at the end of the 2019 LCS Summer Split regular season secured them a spot in playoffs.{{cite news |last1=Li |first1=Xing |title=Huni's Rumble helps Clutch beat Golden Guardians, secure an LCS playoff seed |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/clutch-beat-ggs-lcs-summer-2019-week-9 |access-date=August 20, 2019 |work=Dot Esports |date=August 4, 2019 |archive-date=August 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820042716/https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/clutch-beat-ggs-lcs-summer-2019-week-9 |url-status=live }} The team ended the regular season in fifth place with a 9–9 record, avoiding a three-way tie for sixth.{{cite news |last=Lam |first=Kien |title=6 thoughts going into Playoffs |url=https://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/2019/08/6-thoughts-going-into-playoffs-2/ |access-date=April 7, 2025 |work=Riot Games |date=August 7, 2019 |archive-date=August 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810052505/https://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/2019/08/6-thoughts-going-into-playoffs-2/ |url-status=live }} In the quarterfinals Clutch Gaming once again defeated TSM 3–1, moving on to the semifinals, where they lost 2–3 to Team Liquid in a close series.{{cite news |last1=Esguerra |first1=Tyler |date=August 11, 2019 |title=Clutch Gaming take down TSM to qualify for the 2019 LCS Summer Split semifinals |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/clutch-tsm-2019-lcs-summer-aug-10 |access-date=August 20, 2019 |work=Dot Esports |archive-date=March 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309223755/https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/clutch-tsm-2019-lcs-summer-aug-10 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Kolev |first1=Radoslav |date=August 11, 2019 |title=Cody Sun, Clutch Gaming trample TSM in LCS quarterfinals |url=https://www.vpesports.com/leagueoflegends/cody-sun-clutch-gaming-trample-tsm-in-lcs-quarterfinals |access-date=August 20, 2019 |work=VPEsports |archive-date=August 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820042713/https://www.vpesports.com/leagueoflegends/cody-sun-clutch-gaming-trample-tsm-in-lcs-quarterfinals |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Abbas |first1=Malcolm |title=Team Liquid qualify for Worlds after semifinal win over Clutch Gaming |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/team-liquid-qualify-for-worlds-after-semifinal-win-over-clutch-gaming |access-date=August 20, 2019 |work=Dot Esports |date=August 19, 2019 |archive-date=August 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820042715/https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/team-liquid-qualify-for-worlds-after-semifinal-win-over-clutch-gaming |url-status=live }} Clutch Gaming was then defeated by Counter Logic Gaming (CLG) in the third-place decider match, forcing the team to play through the regional qualifier once again for a chance to qualify for the 2019 World Championship.{{cite news |last1=Li |first1=Xing |date=August 25, 2019 |title=CLG reverse sweep Clutch in the LCS third place match |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/clg-reverse-sweep-clutch-in-the-lcs-third-place-match |access-date=September 7, 2019 |work=Dot Esports |archive-date=December 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210093124/https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/clg-reverse-sweep-clutch-in-the-lcs-third-place-match |url-status=live }} After defeating FlyQuest and CLG in the first and second rounds of the gauntlet, respectively, Clutch Gaming found themselves facing TSM yet again in the qualifying round.{{cite news |last1=Abbas |first1=Malcolm |date=September 6, 2019 |title=Clutch Gaming begin Worlds qualifier gauntlet run with win over FlyQuest |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/clutch-gaming-begins-worlds-qualifer-gauntlet-run-with-win-over-flyquest |access-date=September 7, 2019 |work=Dot Esports}}{{cite news |last1=Samples |first1=Rachel |date=September 7, 2019 |title=Clutch keep their gauntlet run alive after taking down CLG |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/clutch-keep-their-gauntlet-run-alive-after-taking-down-clg |access-date=September 8, 2019 |work=Dot Esports |archive-date=December 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210093122/https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/clutch-keep-their-gauntlet-run-alive-after-taking-down-clg |url-status=live }} TSM began the series with two victories but were ultimately defeated by Clutch Gaming. With their final win over TSM after running the entire gauntlet, Clutch Gaming qualified for Worlds as the LCS's third seed. It marked not only the team's debut at Worlds but also the individual debuts of Lira, Damonte, and Vulcan.{{cite news |last=Endres |first=Elena |date=September 8, 2019 |title=Clutch reverse sweep TSM to secure a spot at Worlds |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/clutch-reverse-sweep-tsm-to-secure-a-spot-at-worlds |access-date=September 8, 2019 |work=Dot Esports}}

Clutch Gaming began their Worlds run in the play-in stage, where they were placed in group A with the League of Legends Continental League's Unicorns of Love and the Oceanic Pro League's Mammoth.{{cite news |title=Clutch Gaming, Splyce win their groups on Day 3 of League of Legends World Championship play-ins |url=https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/27767449/clutch-gaming-splyce-win-their-groups-day-3-league-legends-world-championship-play-ins |access-date=October 23, 2019 |work=ESPN |date=October 4, 2019 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=2019 League of Legends World Championship team power rankings |url=https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/27693223/2019-league-legends-world-championship-team-power-rankings |access-date=May 24, 2025 |work=ESPN |date=September 24, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=April 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415221928/https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/27693223/2019-league-legends-world-championship-team-power-rankings |url-status=live }} Group A was locked in a three-way tie after each team defeated one opponent but failed to beat the other in two round robins. Clutch Gaming avoided the first tiebreaker match due to them having the shortest total game time among their victories.{{cite tweet |user=lolesports |number=1180141690067263488 |date=October 4, 2019 |title=Tiebreakers explained:{{nbsp}}... |access-date=October 4, 2019 }} The Unicorns of Love defeated Mammoth in the first tiebreaker match but fell to Clutch Gaming in the second, despite previously defeating them twice during the round robins. Clutch Gaming thus emerged as the first seed of their group and advanced to the qualifying round of the play-in stage. Clutch Gaming subsequently defeated Royal Youth of the Turkish Championship League 3–0 to secure a spot in the main event.{{cite news |last=Endres |first=Elena |title=Clutch Gaming advance to the main stage at Worlds 2019 |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/clutch-gaming-advance-to-the-main-stage-at-worlds-2019 |access-date=October 23, 2019 |work=Dot Esports |date=October 7, 2019 |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023075210/https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/clutch-gaming-advance-to-the-main-stage-at-worlds-2019 |url-status=live }}

For the group stage of the main event, Clutch Gaming was placed in Group C, widely described by commentators as the "group of death" due to it having three regional powerhouses: South Korea's SK Telecom T1, China's Royal Never Give Up, and Europe's Fnatic.{{cite news |last1=O'Dwyer |first1=Samuel |title=What to expect from Clutch Gaming at Worlds 2019 |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/what-to-expect-from-clutch-gaming-at-worlds-2019 |access-date=April 7, 2025 |work=Dot Esports |date=October 1, 2019 |archive-date=June 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613141156/https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/what-to-expect-from-clutch-gaming-at-worlds-2019 |url-status=live }} Clutch Gaming ended their Worlds run with a 0–6 record in the group stage, failing to pick up a single win in two round robins.{{cite news |last1=Esuguerra |first1=Tyler |title=Clutch Gaming eliminated from Worlds 2019 after a horrible backdoor attempt against Fnatic |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/clutch-gaming-eliminated-from-worlds-2019-after-a-horrible-backdoor-attempt-against-fnatic |access-date=October 23, 2019 |work=Dot Esports |date=October 19, 2019 |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023075208/https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/clutch-gaming-eliminated-from-worlds-2019-after-a-horrible-backdoor-attempt-against-fnatic |url-status=live }}

Near the end of 2019, Clutch Gaming merged with Dignitas, an inaugural member of the NA LCS whose application to the franchised LCS had previously been rejected in 2017.{{cite news |last1=Yim |first1=Miles |title=People are investing millions into League of Legends franchises. Will the bet pay off? |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/esports/2019/11/18/people-are-investing-millions-into-league-legends-franchises-will-bet-pay-off/ |access-date=November 22, 2019 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=November 18, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115220854/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/esports/2019/11/18/people-are-investing-millions-into-league-legends-franchises-will-bet-pay-off/ |url-status=live }} Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the owners of Dignitas, had earlier bought a majority stake in Clutch Gaming for over US$30 million, on June 6, 2019.{{cite news |last=Hermann |first=Adam |date=June 6, 2019 |title=76ers owners Harris Blitzer acquire esports' Clutch Gaming for reported $30 million |url=https://www.phillyvoice.com/esports-clutch-gaming-76ers-devils-harris-blitzer-dignitas-league-of-legends/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021025241/https://www.phillyvoice.com/esports-clutch-gaming-76ers-devils-harris-blitzer-dignitas-league-of-legends/ |archive-date=October 21, 2020 |access-date=October 20, 2020 |work=PhillyVoice}}

LCS Second-Place Rookie

• Vulcan{{snd}}Spring 2019{{cite news |title=2019 Spring Split LCS Award Winners |url=https://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/2019/03/2019-spring-split-lcs-awards-winners/ |access-date=April 6, 2025 |work=League of Legends Esports |date=March 29, 2019 |archive-date=August 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805154345/https://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/2019/03/2019-spring-split-lcs-awards-winners/ |url-status=live }}

LCS All-Pro Third Team

• Febiven{{snd}}Spring 2018{{cite news |title=2018 NA LCS Spring Split Award Winners |url=https://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/2018/03/2018-na-lcs-spring-split-award-winners/ |access-date=April 6, 2025 |work=League of Legends Esports |date=March 24, 2018 |archive-date=November 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109232531/https://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/2018/03/2018-na-lcs-spring-split-award-winners/ |url-status=live }}
• Hakuho{{snd}}Spring 2018
• Cody Sun{{snd}}Summer 2019{{cite news |title=2019 LCS Summer Split Awards |url=https://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/2019/08/2019-lcs-summer-split-awards/ |access-date=April 6, 2025 |work=League of Legends Esports |date=August 9, 2019}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

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