Nadeshot: 100 Thieves Would Not ‘Focus On Esports’ If It Were Reset

As a gamer who’s been around the block more times than I care to remember, I can’t help but nod my head in agreement with Nadeshot’s recent podcast revelation. If given a global reset, I too would think twice about diving back into the turbulent waters of esports. The financial rollercoaster that is competitive gaming has left many organizations gasping for air, and I’ve seen far too many friends lose their shirts (and more) in this cutthroat industry.

100 Thieves co-founder Matthew ‘Nadeshot’ Haag recently discussed his organization and the broader esports world on a podcast. He elaborated on the unique business model of 100 Thieves, which often combines professional esports players, content creators, and other influencers to promote the ‘lifestyle brand’. In simpler terms, he talked about how they blend competitive gaming with entertainment, marketing, and fashion to create a unified brand image.

He had some pretty hard truths about the financial side of the esports industry, particularly mentioning an issue with investors being the primary funding source for esports organisations. He also said that if he had the chance to start over with 100 Thieves, he’d never even think about getting into esports.

Strip Away The Esports

In a recent podcast chat with Jack ‘CouRage’ Dunlop, Nadeshot shared that if given a global do-over, he wouldn’t re-enter the world of esports with 100 Thieves. He elaborated on the distinctions between esports and content creation, hinting that content creation tends to bring in more financial returns compared to competitive gaming.

In simpler terms, if we were to restart our business with the funds currently available, it’s likely that we wouldn’t prioritize esports. This is based on my hypothetical perspective as a businessperson with significant capital at my disposal.

Nadeshot initially gained his expertise in competitive Call of Duty, but he doesn’t necessarily need to limit himself to that field. The esports industry has faced numerous challenges throughout its history, leading to layoffs and financial instability for some organizations. Success hinges on securing as much funding as possible while ensuring sustainability.

Top-tier streamers can rake in comparable earnings from just a couple of streams as some esports teams do over the course of an entire competition, but this comparison only holds true for teams that aren’t exceptionally skilled.

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