NA LCS Season 3 Summer Finals vs Team SoloMid

Lore & Background

In the summer of 2013, Cloud9 was viewed as the standard-bearer for excellence in North America. Their roster, anchored by legendary jungler Meteos and bot laner Sneaky, had built an aura of invincibility throughout the early seasons. However, TSM arrived with a hunger to break that stranglehold, led by their veteran mid-laner Reginald. The finals were not just about a trophy; they were about identity. For Cloud9 fans, this match represented the reward of maintaining perfection against a challenger who knew exactly where to strike. The atmosphere was electric, with the community deeply invested in whether Cloud9 could sustain their reign or if TSM's tactical evolution would prove superior. This era cemented the 'C9 vs TSM' narrative that persists today. In victory, Cloud9's performance displayed a level of mechanical prowess and strategic depth that kept them dominant for years to come.

In Their Own Story

The arena lights hummed with a low frequency, vibrating through the floorboards where the players sat. Doublelift adjusted his headset, the silence in his peripheral vision broken only by the glow of the monitors. Across the stage, TSM's formation was rigid, a wall of blue against Cloud9's white and gold. The crowd noise swelled like a rising tide as the draft locked in. In that moment, before the minions spawned, the weight of every previous match hung suspended in the air. It wasn't just about winning; it was about proving who truly owned the North American stage.

Reader's Guide

This series is analyzed by historians for its shift in meta dominance. Cloud9 entered with a reputation for superior mechanics, but TSM countered with disciplined macro play and objective control. The turning point often cited involves teamfighting execution under pressure. While Cloud9 displayed flashes of brilliance, their inability to close out crucial moments allowed TSM to seize momentum. The match remains memorable because it forced Cloud9 to evolve from a dominant force into resilient contenders who would eventually reclaim titles in future seasons. For fans, this game is the benchmark for rivalry intensity. It established that no lead was safe and every series required total focus. The narrative of 'what if' persists among supporters, making it a staple discussion topic regarding Cloud9's journey through their golden era.

Did You Know?

• This match marked Cloud9's first NA LCS championship title in franchise history.
• Meteos was the central figure for Cloud9 during this pivotal Season 3 run, anchoring the jungle role.
• The rivalry established here continued to define NA LCS viewership for years afterward.
• Cloud9 acquired Quantic Gaming's LCS spot and competed in the NA LCS Spring 2013 Playoffs, meaning they did exist prior to the Summer Split.

Origins and Early Acquisition

The foundation of Cloud9 traces back to a pivotal moment in early 2013 when five former Quantic Gaming players—Balls, Meteos, Hai, Sneaky, and LemonNation—united to form their own squad initially known as Team NomNom. Although they briefly rebranded under the Cloud9 moniker before being reacquired by Quantic Gaming on April Fool's Day, the organization's true independence began in May 2013. Former Team SoloMid manager Jack Etienne and his brother Paullie Etienne purchased the players' contracts for less than $20,000, officially establishing Cloud9 as a distinct entity. This acquisition marked a significant shift, transforming a loose collection of talent into a structured professional organization with Paullie serving as chief operating officer and Jack's father acting as legal counsel. This humble beginning set the stage for what would eventually become one of North America's premier esports brands.

Rapid Diversification and Funding

Following initial success in League of Legends, Cloud9 aggressively expanded its portfolio, launching divisions for titles like Smite, Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Halo by 2014. Despite dissolving their Smite team temporarily due to internal conflicts, the organization continued to grow, adding Call of Duty, Overwatch, and Vainglory in subsequent years. This rapid diversification attracted significant venture capital attention; by March 2017, Cloud9 secured $28 million in Series A funding led by Founders Fund, with backing from high-profile investors including Alexis Ohanian and Chamath Palihapitiya. Further investment followed in October 2017 with a massive $50 million Series B round led by Valor Equity Partners. These funds were instrumental in securing franchise slots for the Overwatch League's London Spitfire and the LCS, while also financing plans for a state-of-the-art training facility in Los Angeles.

Peak International Success

By 2018, Cloud9 achieved an unprecedented level of dominance across multiple disciplines, distinguishing itself from competitors who were scaling back operations. That year alone, the organization secured three major international championships: the Rocket League Championship Series Season 6 World Championship, the Overwatch League Grand Finals with their London Spitfire subsidiary, and the ELEAGUE Major in Boston for Counter-Strike. This period of triumph also saw Cloud9's League of Legends division securing a lucrative franchise slot for $10 million. The organization's success attracted major traditional sponsors like Red Bull, Puma, AT&T, and BMW, marking their first team sponsorships in the esports sector. Jack Etienne's leadership during this era was recognized with the 'Shaker of the Year' award, highlighting Cloud9's role in elevating global awareness for competitive gaming.

Controversy and Corporate Valuation

Despite its meteoric rise, Cloud9 faced significant regulatory challenges regarding player ownership structures. In November 2019, Riot Games fined the organization $175,000 after discovering that seven LCS players had been issued equity through restricted stock units since July 2018. This violated a rule prohibiting team owners from being on rosters, leading to additional financial penalties estimated between $330,000 and $605,000. Nevertheless, the organization's financial standing remained robust; Forbes ranked Cloud9 as the world's most valuable esports company in 2018 with a valuation of $310 million, later placing it fifth globally by mid-2022 after raising a total of $78 million in equity. Today, the company operates four franchised teams across League of Legends, Valorant, Call of Duty, and Rainbow Six, maintaining its status as a cornerstone of the American esports landscape.