Cloud9 cuts PUBG roster despite repeated successes in NPL
Cloud9 is getting out of the PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds business.
Speaking on Twitter, the organization announced the release of its National PUBG League roster. Former Cloud9 player Magno “Pr0phie” Ramos discussed the news on social media shortly thereafter.
“As of today, Hunter “hwinn” Winn, Ben “Nerf” Wheeler, Thierry “Kaymind” Kaltenback, and I are free agents,” Pr0phie said on Twitter. “We will be staying together because we are more than just a team, we are a family, and we get along really well together. We will be competing in NPL Phase 3 and the PUBG Worlds in November even if we have to be orgless.”
Pr0phie stated that the squad is looking for a new sponsor in the wake of the move.
The news comes as a big surprise for fans of the team and competitive PUBG fans in general.
Through the first two phases of the NPL’s inaugural season, Cloud9 has been one of the best in North America. The team took second place in both phases, coming in second only to Tempo Storm on both occasions. While they couldn’t imitate that same success at international competitions, Cloud9 was well positioned to earn a spot in the PUBG Global Championship.
No details were given on what led to Cloud9 and the PUBG team splitting up. Though it could be a contractual issue or a disagreement between the team and the organization, many are looking at the news as an indictment of the state of the game’s professional scene.
Despite being one of the stronger leagues in PUBG, the NPL has very few prominent esports organizations investing in the game. A number of notable multi-game brands do take part, including Team Envy and Spacestation Gaming. But the league is predominantly composed of smaller outfits and sponsorless teams.
With competitive PUBG events attracting limited viewership and the game’s average player base declining to less than a quarter of what it once was, the departure of the NPL’s biggest esports name certainly has a bad look.
While the NPL is struggling with attracting popular organizations, this hasn’t been a problem in the PUBG Europe League or the PUBG Korea League. The PEL and PKL both bring together top names from their regions with the likes of Natus Vincere, Team Liquid, and G2 Esports competing in the PEL while SK Telecom T1, Gen.G, and Griffin play in the PKL.
Whether Cloud9’s departure is an aberration or the start of a trend will be a major point of consideration for fans and players alike moving forward.
Steven Rondina
About Steven Rondina
Steven Rondina is a true lifelong gamer. His earliest memories are of playing video games, and he has continued playing them throughout his life with no plans to stop any time soon. Steven’s favorite franchises in gaming include Pokemon, Dark Souls, and Counter-Strike. He has previously published with Bleacher Report and other gaming outlets.
View full profile
Read Also
Twitch
iShowSpeed Hits 60 Million YouTube Subscribers, Falls to the Ground While Flying Using Balloons
Khizar Mundia
Darren “iShowSpeed” Watkins Jr. has another reached milestone by crossing 60 million subscribers on YouTube, but the streamer was involved in a fall while flying during a balloon stunt. iShowSpeed recently concluded his FIFA World Cup 2026 tour and is currently participating in State Farm Gamerhood. The YouTuber has also revealed that he will be doing a marathon with Kai Ceant this month. In what marked a packed summer for ...
Esports Betting
Forkast’s CEO says Agents will be the next revolution in trading as the company launches ATLAS
Michael Hassall
Chris Gonsalves, the CEO of prediction market Forkast, says the future of retail trading will be in the hands of AI agents, rather than individual traders and brokers. The bold prediction comes as Forkast launches ATLAS, a new trading layer for their prediction market designed specifically for agents to interact with. The goal of ATLAS is to synchronize a retail trader’s full portfolio and for an AI agent to handle ...
News
Prediction Market Operator Underdog Set for $1.3 Billion Sale
Zachary Roberts
Daily fantasy sports and prediction market operator Underdog is about to be sold. IG Group Holdings, a global trading company, is set to purchase the site for about $1.3 billion. Initially, Underdog was a daily fantasy sports operator before expanding into prediction markets, ultimately shutting down its original media network and laying off 20% of its staff. This new focus has led to the site's forthcoming purchase by IG Group, ...
News
Kalshi Launches Pro Product — This Is What Traders Can Expect
Zachary Roberts
Kalshi has launched Kalshi Pro, a new platform aimed at high-end traders. According to CNBC, the product is designed for users who trade across multiple markets simultaneously, react quickly to live events, and place resting orders that execute automatically when a specified price is reached. The move comes amidst a backdrop of many traders opting to use external software to help with their speculation. Running multiple markets or setting trades ...
Esports Betting
Oddin.gg expands North American footprint with Kansas, Wyoming approvals
Michael Hassall
Esports betting solution provider Oddin.gg has secured regulatory approvals in two more US territories, Kansas and Wyoming, expanding its North American licensing footprint to 10 jurisdictions across the U.S. and Canada, and strengthening its position in the regulated U.S. esports betting market. Revealed by release on July 31, Oddin.gg explained that the company has been granted a temporary supplier license by the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission (KRGC) and approved ...
Slots
155.io Unveils Footfall — Here’s What To Expect From Its Latest Crash Game
Hannan Mundia
155.io is renowned for its unique and original games that focus on real-world events, giving bettors the chance to wager on outcomes in a range of unique settings. Now its catalogue has been expanded with the imminent release of Footfall. The iGaming studio has made a real name for itself in recent years, shaking up the way that crypto casino games can be enjoyed by players, combining everyday events with ...
Dota 2
Dota 2’s TI patch, 7.41e, has arrived alongside a plethora of new features and fixes
Michael Hassall
We’re just under two weeks away from the kick off of Dota 2’s premier tournament, The International, and the patch that will see us through the 15th edition of the event has landed. Valve released the Dota 2 7.41e late on Thursday evening, or in the small hours of the morning if you’re EU based. With it came a big variety of updates and changes, from the gameplay update proper, ...
