TSM (esports)
TSM is an American esports organization founded in September 2009 by brothers Andy "Reginald" Dinh and Dan Dinh as an extension of the SoloMid.net gaming community website.[1] The organization has competed across multiple titles, including League of Legends, VALORANT, Apex Legends, and Super Smash Bros., amassing over $12.5 million in tournament earnings and establishing itself as one of North America's most prominent teams.[1] In League of Legends, TSM's flagship division secured seven LCS championships and qualified for the first seven World Championships, though it never advanced beyond semifinals internationally.[2] Despite these domestic successes, the team has faced criticism for repeated international underperformance and frequent roster instability.[3] TSM has also encountered significant controversies, particularly regarding a toxic workplace culture under CEO Andy Dinh, including allegations of verbal abuse and bullying toward players and staff, which prompted a Riot Games investigation resulting in a fine for the organization and a two-year probation for Dinh.[4][5][6] These issues, documented through employee accounts and public incidents, have contributed to high turnover and reputational challenges in recent years.[5]History
Founding and Initial Focus (2009–2011)
Team SoloMid (TSM) originated with the launch of SoloMid.net in September 2009 by brothers Andy "Reginald" Dinh and Dan Dinh, established as a comprehensive online resource for League of Legends players featuring guides, strategy articles, and community forums.[7][8] The site quickly gained prominence due to its high-quality content tailored to the burgeoning League of Legends scene, which had launched earlier that year, attracting millions of visitors and positioning Reginald—a top-ranked solo queue mid laner from San Jose, California—as a leading figure in the game's early competitive ecosystem.[7][9] Reginald, born April 19, 1992, leveraged SoloMid.net to share his expertise while competing in nascent League of Legends tournaments under teams like All or Nothing, emphasizing mechanical skill and strategic depth in the mid lane role.[8] The platform's focus remained narrowly on League of Legends, fostering educational tools and discussions that supported player improvement amid the game's rapid growth, without diversification into other titles during this period.[7] In early 2011, TSM transitioned from a content hub to a competitive entity by assembling a roster for the Riot Season 1 Championship, with Reginald serving as player and de facto leader, maintaining an exclusive emphasis on League of Legends dominance in North American circuits.[9] This shift capitalized on the site's established audience to recruit talent and stream matches, laying the groundwork for TSM's identity as a League of Legends-centric organization.[8]Expansion and Dominance in League of Legends (2012–2016)
In 2012, TSM expanded its presence in competitive League of Legends by assembling a dedicated roster and competing in major North American tournaments, securing victories at IPL 4, MLG Anaheim, IPL Face Off: San Francisco, GIGABYTE Esports LAN, and the Season 2 Regional Finals.[10] On March 13, 2012, top laner Marcus "Dyrus" Hill joined the team, replacing The Rain Man and providing stability in the top lane that would define TSM's early competitive identity.[10] At the Season 2 World Championship, TSM advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to Azubu Frost, marking their first international appearance and establishing them as a rising force in the North American scene.[10] The 2013 season solidified TSM's dominance in domestic play, with the team topping the NA LCS Spring Split regular season at a 75% win rate and defeating Good Game University 3–2 in the playoffs to claim their first championship.[10] In the Summer Split, TSM finished third in the round-robin stage but reached the playoffs final, falling to Cloud9.[10] Roster adjustments included benching ADC Shah "Chaox" Zaidi mid-Spring and acquiring Joseph "WildTurtle" Nguyen, who became a fixture in the bot lane.[10] On November 2, 2013, founder Andy "Reginald" Dinh transitioned from mid laner to management, paving the way for Søren "Bjergsen" Bjerg's arrival as the new star mid laner from Europe, a move that elevated TSM's individual talent level.[10] Internationally, TSM struggled at the 2013 World Championship, finishing fourth in their group and failing to advance.[10] By 2014, TSM refined its lineup amid support role instability, with Xpecial benched in May and briefly replaced by Gleeb before acquiring Korean support Choi "Lustboy" Hyung-woo on July 22.[10] Jungler Michael "TheOddOne" Tang retired on May 3, succeeded by Jean "Amazing" Guillaume, bolstering the team's macro play.[10] In the NA LCS, TSM secured second place in the Spring Split (22–6 record) but lost the finals 3–0 to Cloud9; they rebounded to win the Summer Split playoffs 3–2 against Cloud9.[10] At Worlds 2014, TSM reached the quarterfinals, defeated by Samsung White, showcasing improved coordination but highlighting gaps against top international competition.[10] The 2015 roster emphasized continuity with Bjergsen as the centerpiece, though jungler Amazing departed in November, replaced by Morten "Santorin" Revlo for the following year.[10] TSM dominated the NA LCS Spring Split, finishing first (13–5) and winning the playoffs over Cloud9, but faltered in Summer with a fifth-place regular season finish before a runner-up playoff showing, losing 3–0 to Counter Logic Gaming.[10] On the global stage, TSM claimed a landmark victory at IEM Season IX World Championship, the first North American team to defeat Korean squads at a major event with international invitees.[10] However, they exited MSI 2015 in the group stage and finished last in their Worlds group, underscoring persistent challenges abroad despite domestic success.[10] In 2016, TSM overhauled its bottom lane after Lustboy and Santorin's departures in October 2015, signing Yiliang "Doublelift" Peng on October 31 and Dennis "Svenskeren" Johnsen on November 8, with support Kyle "YellOwStaR" Summers joining briefly before Biofrost replaced him on May 18.[10] The Spring Split yielded a sixth-place regular season finish but a strong second-place playoff run, losing 3–2 to Counter Logic Gaming.[10] TSM peaked in Summer, posting a dominant regular season and defeating Cloud9 3–1 in the finals for their fourth NA LCS title in the period.[10] Internationally, they earned third place at MSI 2016 but again failed to advance from Worlds groups, reflecting a pattern of regional supremacy contrasted by inconsistent global results.[10] Over 2012–2016, TSM qualified for the first seven World Championships consecutively and reached the first ten NA LCS finals, cementing their status as North America's premier organization through strategic roster evolution and consistent high placements.[10]Roster Instability and International Aspirations (2017–2020)
Following disappointing group stage exits at the 2016 and 2017 League of Legends World Championships, where TSM ranked as the No. 6 seed entering the 2017 tournament but failed to advance, the organization pursued international talent to elevate its competitive ceiling.[11] On November 24, 2017, TSM signed European bot laners Jesper "Zven" Svenningsen and Alfonso "Mithy" Rodriguez from G2 Esports, replacing North American AD carry Yiliang "Doublelift" Peng and support player Vincent "Biofrost" Caycedo, in a bid to form a "superteam" capable of contending for the world title.[12] [13] This move, headlined by Danish mid laner Søren "Bjergsen" Bjerg as the anchor, aimed to blend European mechanical prowess with North American structure, but it introduced adaptation challenges and marked the start of frequent roster flux. The 2018 season exposed synergies issues with the revamped lineup of top laner Kevin "Hauntzer" Yarnell, jungler Michael "MikeYeung" Yeung, Bjergsen, Zven, and Mithy. TSM dominated the NA LCS Summer regular season but faltered in playoffs, finishing third and entering the regional qualifier gauntlet for Worlds; they ultimately lost to Clutch Gaming, missing the international event for the first time since 2011.[14] Mid-season struggles, including a 5-7 record slump in Summer Week 6, prompted coaching additions like Kim "SSONG" Sang-soo from Immortals and former TSM support Ham "Lustboy" Jang-sik, yet internal miscommunications hindered progress.[15] Support instability ensued as Mithy departed in November 2018, replaced by Dardo "Ignar" Jiménez for 2019, reflecting ongoing experimentation to stabilize the bottom lane.[14] Into 2019, TSM doubled down on European imports by signing AD carry Kasper "Kobbe" Kobberup from Splyce on November 18, alongside jungler Joshua "Dardoch" Hartnett and returning support Biofrost, aiming to refresh the bot lane synergy with Bjergsen.[16] [17] However, the team placed third in Summer playoffs and again failed Worlds qualification, losing 3-1 to Clutch Gaming in the regional finals on September 8, marking the second consecutive absence and underscoring persistent domestic vulnerabilities despite the talent infusion.[18] Jungler rotations, including Mingyi "Spica" Lu's academy demotion and Dardoch's integration issues, compounded the instability, as TSM cycled through five different starting junglers across splits from 2017 to 2019. By 2020, further adjustments—including Kobbe's mid-season release on May 11 after underwhelming results, Zven's return to the starting role, and rookie jungler Spica's promotion—yielded domestic resurgence, with TSM clinching the LCS Summer title on September 6 for their first international qualification since 2017.[19] [20] Yet at Worlds 2020 in Shanghai, TSM went 0-6 in groups, eliminated without a single victory, validating critics who argued the import-heavy strategy prioritized star power over cohesive macro play and regional adaptation.[20] This period's 14 roster transactions across key roles highlighted TSM's reactive approach, yielding seven LCS titles overall but zero Worlds quarterfinals appearances since 2016, as empirical data showed North American teams, including TSM, converting just 35% of Worlds matches won from 2017-2020.[2]Decline in LoL and Diversification (2021–2023)
In 2021, TSM's League of Legends squad demonstrated domestic competitiveness but faltered internationally. The team topped the LCS Summer regular season with an 18–9 record, advancing to the playoffs where they defeated Evil Geniuses in the quarterfinals before losing 2–3 to Cloud9 in the semifinals on August 21, securing fourth place overall and $20,000 in prize money, which prevented qualification for the 2021 World Championship.[21][22] This outcome highlighted emerging inconsistencies, as TSM had previously relied on strong LCS finishes for global berths, but roster synergies and meta adaptation issues contributed to the playoff exit.[23] Performance eroded further in 2022, with TSM enduring an 0–4 start to the LCS Spring Split—the poorest opening in the organization's history—amid roster experiments and coaching changes that failed to stem losses, culminating in missing playoffs for both splits and exclusion from international events like the Mid-Season Invitational and Worlds.[23] By the LCS Championship, TSM placed 9th–10th, reflecting broader organizational challenges including internal management scrutiny and penalties from Riot Games over sponsorship violations related to gambling affiliations. The 2023 season compounded the decline, as TSM finished 7th in the Spring Split and 7th–8th in Summer, with consistent mid-tier results in a shrinking North American scene prompting the announcement on May 25, 2023, of their LCS exit after failing to relocate to leagues in Europe or Asia.[24][23] Concurrently, TSM pursued diversification by bolstering non-League divisions to mitigate reliance on a single title, investing in facilities like the June 23, 2021, opening of a Los Angeles performance center designed for cross-game training and content production.[25] In Valorant, the team secured a notable victory at VCT 2021: North America Stage 3 Challengers on August 1, 2021, defeating FaZe Clan in the finals for a $50,000 prize, while maintaining competitiveness through 2023 with top finishes in regional Challengers events despite fluctuating rosters.[26] TSM also sustained operations in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (transitioning to CS2 by late 2023), Rocket League, and Super Smash Bros., with the latter featuring player Kola persisting in major tournaments, though results varied amid broader esports market contractions that led to pauses in some secondary titles by mid-2023.[23][27] This multi-title strategy, initiated earlier but accelerated post-2021, aimed to leverage TSM's brand valuation—pegged at $540 million in 2023—across emerging scenes, though financial strains from LoL underperformance necessitated staff reductions and selective withdrawals.[28][29]Withdrawal from LCS and New Ventures (2024–present)
In May 2023, TSM announced its withdrawal from the League Championship Series (LCS), citing unsustainable investments and poor competitive results in North American League of Legends esports amid declining viewership and revenue for the league.[24][23] The organization sold its LCS franchise slot to Shopify Rebellion in September 2023 for a reported $10 million, ending its 12-year presence in the league; Shopify absorbed TSM's 2023 League of Legends roster and competed under its banner starting in the 2024 season.[30][31] This move freed TSM from franchising fees and obligations tied to Riot Games' North American ecosystem, allowing reallocation of resources to more viable esports titles.[23] Post-withdrawal, TSM pivoted toward diversification across multiple games, emphasizing titles with stronger growth potential and global circuits outside Riot's dominance. In mid-2024, the organization joined the Esports World Cup Club Support Program, enabling participation in high-stakes events across disciplines like Counter-Strike 2 and others.[23] It maintained and expanded rosters in established divisions: Super Smash Bros. continued with competitive play, generating notable earnings through tournament circuits; Valorant saw roster rebuilds, including a November 2024 overhaul ahead of Split 3 and qualification for 2025 Americas Ascension Playoffs; Counter-Strike 2 received an updated lineup in July 2024 featuring Valde, Zyphon, acoR, Altekz, and niko under coach Rejin; and Rocket League sustained its team with players like kaka and Amphis, focusing on regional leagues.[1][32][33] TSM briefly re-entered Overwatch 2 in May 2024 by signing a North American roster—including Chopper, Rokit, SeonJun, and others—plus coaches and analysts for the FACEIT Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS), marking its first competitive involvement in the title since 2017.[34] However, the team disbanded in October 2024, parting ways with the roster amid cited challenges like insufficient support from Blizzard and competitive instability in the scene.[35] As of 2025, TSM has not returned to franchised League of Legends competition but has prioritized these alternative ventures, reflecting a strategic shift toward multi-game sustainability rather than heavy reliance on a single title.[23]Organizational Structure and Operations
Ownership and Leadership
Team SoloMid (TSM) was co-founded in September 2009 by brothers Andy "Reginald" Dinh and Dan Dinh, originating as a community website, SoloMid.net, before evolving into a professional esports organization.[36] The Dinh brothers have maintained primary ownership since inception, with Andy Dinh serving as the principal owner and chief executive officer (CEO), responsible for overall strategy, team management, and competitive operations.[37] [38] Dan Dinh functions as co-founder and president, focusing on business development and organizational expansion.[10] In 2018, TSM secured $37 million in funding from investors including basketball player Stephen Curry and Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang, which supported infrastructure growth and content creation initiatives without diluting the founders' control.[39] The organization's leadership structure emphasizes the Dinh brothers' direct involvement, supplemented by executives such as vice presidents for sales and programmatic partnerships, though top-level decisions remain centralized under Andy Dinh's CEO role.[10] As of 2025, Andy Dinh continues as CEO, navigating challenges including the organization's 2024 withdrawal from the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) due to regulatory disputes with Riot Games, while sustaining operations across multiple esports titles.[38]Business Model and Sponsorships
Team SoloMid (TSM) generates revenue primarily through sponsorship agreements, which have historically dominated its income as with most esports organizations, supplemented by merchandise sales, content creation, and ancillary ventures like software applications. In 2020, the organization's annual revenue was estimated at $45 million, reflecting a model centered on brand partnerships tied to its competitive presence and audience reach across multiple titles. Sponsorships alone accounted for over 70% of total esports industry revenue in recent years, a structure TSM exemplifies through high-value deals leveraging its North American fanbase and streaming metrics.[40] A landmark sponsorship was the June 2021, 10-year, $210 million naming rights agreement with cryptocurrency exchange FTX, the largest in esports history at the time, which rebranded the organization as TSM FTX and funded roster expansions but proved unsustainable after FTX's November 2022 bankruptcy and subsequent fraud revelations, leading TSM to suspend the partnership and revert its branding.[41][42] This deal highlighted risks in crypto-dependent financing, contributing to TSM's later withdrawal from the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) in 2024 amid visa issues and financial reevaluation, though it temporarily boosted valuations to $540 million by 2022.[43] Other notable partnerships include Red Bull for athlete endorsements and historical deals with tech firms like Qualcomm Snapdragon (2016 onward) and Kingston HyperX (2014), focusing on hardware and performance branding.[44][10] Beyond sponsorships, TSM diversifies through owned products such as the Blitz application, a League of Legends overlay tool generating subscription and ad revenue, and TSM Apparel for fan merchandise, which together with Twitch streaming from its roster—yielding millions of hours watched annually—provide stable, non-tournament-dependent income.[45] Tournament prize winnings, while secondary (e.g., over $10 million career total across divisions), offer performance-based upside, particularly in titles like Valorant and Counter-Strike 2 post-2024 LCS exit.[46] Venture investments, including a $25 million infusion from Bessemer Venture Partners in 2018, have supported operational scaling but underscore a hybrid model blending esports competition with tech-like scalability.[47] As of 2025, TSM's approach emphasizes multi-game diversification to mitigate reliance on any single sponsor or title, amid industry trends toward in-game integrations and virtual goods.[48]Financial Performance and Investments
In July 2018, TSM's parent company, Swift, secured $37 million in Series A funding led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with participation from investors including NBA player Stephen Curry and Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang; the funds were allocated toward strategic acquisitions, franchising costs, and operational expansion.[39] Forbes estimated TSM's revenue at $21 million for 2017, driven primarily by sponsorships, merchandise, and content creation rather than tournament prizes.[7] By December 2020, the organization's valuation reached $410 million, with annual revenue estimated at $45 million, reflecting growth from diversified esports divisions and brand partnerships.[49] A pivotal deal came in June 2021, when TSM signed a 10-year, $210 million naming rights agreement with cryptocurrency exchange FTX, rebranding temporarily as TSM FTX and using the funds to fuel international expansion ambitions.[50] Forbes valued TSM at $540 million in its 2022 list of top esports organizations, underscoring peak market perception amid esports hype, though this figure incorporated speculative future revenues from such deals.[43] The FTX bankruptcy filing in November 2022, amid fraud allegations and liquidity crisis, prompted TSM to suspend the deal and cut ties shortly thereafter, forfeiting anticipated payments and disrupting planned growth.[51][52] The FTX fallout contributed to operational challenges, including a pause in most esports activities in March 2023 and the organization's decision to exit the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS).[53] In September 2023, TSM sold its LCS franchise slot to Shopify Rebellion for a reported $10 million, a fraction of initial franchising fees paid around $10 million per slot in 2018 and amid depreciating league value.[31] Alternative reports cited a $20 million sale price, but the transaction marked a strategic pivot away from underperforming North American League of Legends operations toward other titles.[54] TSM publicly affirmed its financial stability and profitability in November 2022, attributing resilience to a foundation built beyond volatile sponsorships like FTX.[55] Total tournament earnings across divisions stood at approximately $12.6 million as of 2025, representing a minor revenue component compared to commercial streams.[1] No public financial statements are available post-2023, as TSM remains privately held, with diversification into titles like Valorant and Counter-Strike serving as key investment focuses amid esports market contraction.Current Divisions
Super Smash Bros.
Team SoloMid entered the Super Smash Bros. competitive scene on March 10, 2015, by signing Swedish Melee player Leffen (William Hjelte), who mains Fox.[56] Leffen's signing marked TSM's initial foray into the franchise, leveraging his reputation as a top-tier contender despite prior bans from certain events due to behavioral issues.[56] Early challenges included visa complications that prevented Leffen from attending major tournaments like The Big House 5 in 2015 and EVO 2016.[56] In August 2015, TSM expanded by signing Chilean Smash 4 player ZeRo (Gonzalo Barrios), renowned for his dominance with Diddy Kong and Sheik, including a record 56 consecutive tournament victories spanning 2014–2016.[57] ZeRo's tenure with TSM solidified the organization's presence in Smash 4 until his retirement announcement and departure on November 7, 2018.[57] Following the release of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in 2018, TSM signed American player Tweek (Gavin Dempsey) on January 24, 2019, who competed primarily with Diddy Kong and achieved victories at high-profile events such as Smash Ultimate Summit 3 in 2020 and Let's Make Big Moves 2023.[57] [58] TSM also briefly rostered Charles (for Wolf and Fox in Ultimate) from October 2019 to September 2021.[57] Tweek departed TSM on February 28, 2023, after a period of inconsistent participation in majors due to personal and health-related withdrawals in late 2021 and 2022.[57] [58] Despite roster flux, Leffen has remained a mainstay, continuing to compete in Melee events and occasionally Ultimate with Pokémon Trainer.[56] As of 2025, TSM's Super Smash Bros. division is active but scaled back, primarily supporting Leffen in Melee without a full Ultimate roster.[57] The division has not disbanded, focusing on individual player development amid the organization's broader diversification away from legacy titles like League of Legends.[56]Valorant
Team SoloMid entered the Valorant competitive scene on May 22, 2020, acquiring a roster centered around rifler Matthew "WARDDELL" Yu, duelist Yassin "Subroza" Taoufik, James "hazed" Cobb, Taylor "drone" Roberts, and coach Leviathan.[59] The organization quickly established itself with early tournament victories, including the T1 x Nerd Street Gamers Valorant Showdown on June 29, 2020, where it defeated T1 3-0 in the grand final to claim a $25,000 prize.[60] This was followed by a win at the FaZe Clan Invitational in August 2020, securing another $25,000 after overcoming Sentinels in the grand finals.[61] Despite these initial successes, TSM struggled to maintain consistency in the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT). The team qualified for VCT 2021: NA Stage 2 but was eliminated in the group stage, leading to roster adjustments including the departure of Subroza and hazed.[59] Subsequent years saw frequent changes, with the core around WARDELL persisting until mid-2023, when the roster was disbanded on July 8 amid underwhelming Challengers League results, such as a second-place finish at the Ludwig x Tarik Invitational for $15,000.[32] TSM's total earnings from Valorant competitions stand at approximately $226,268 as of October 2025, reflecting a mix of top finishes in regional events but limited international breakthroughs.[59] In 2024, TSM rebuilt with a new lineup on March 19, achieving a first-place win at For Those Who Dare for $8,000 and second place in the Challengers League Stage 2 Finals for $10,000.[32] The team continued in tier-2 circuits into 2025, securing first place at the Challengers NA: ACE Stage 3 Playoffs for $25,000 and the ROK x FunhaverGG Miami LAN Qualifier 1 for $1,300.[62] As of October 2025, TSM's active roster consists of Johann "gMd" Hernandez, "seven," "vora," "alvinboy," and Timotino Timothée Lavigne, under head coach Nbs (joined November 28, 2024).[59] The organization is currently competing in the VCT Ascension Americas 2025 tournament (October 17–26), aiming for promotion to the VCT Americas league, with a match against ENVY scheduled for October 26.[63] TSM's peak team rating reached 1975 in October 2025, placing it among North America's stronger Challengers contenders.[32]Counter-Strike 2
Team SoloMid re-entered competitive Counter-Strike with the release of Counter-Strike 2 in September 2023, announcing a new European roster on August 29, 2023, featuring rifler Audric "JACKZ" Jug, AWPer Valdemar "valde" Bjørn Vangså, rifler Cai "cypher" Watson, rifler Tim "interz" Andersen, and in-game leader Joakim "dyr0" Almgren.[64] The organization aimed to compete primarily in European online circuits following a six-year hiatus from the game since early 2017.[65] Subsequent roster adjustments included the addition of rifler Leo "xtqzzz" Torgersen on October 7, 2023, the release of cypher and acquisition of Rejin on January 3, 2024, a two-month trial for Joakim "Joel" Holm on January 5, 2024, and the signing of rifler Rasmus "zyphon" Nordfoss with the benching of interz on February 1, 2024. The team participated in mid-to-lower tier online events such as CCT Season 2 Europe Series, European Pro League Season 19, and ESL Challenger League, achieving placements outside the top tiers but without qualifying for Major Regional Qualifiers or securing S-tier victories.[66] In parallel, TSM entered the women's CS2 scene on May 23, 2024, by signing the Shimmer roster for ESL Impact competitions, where they placed 7th-8th at ESL Impact League Season 5 Finals, 4th at Season 6 North America, and 9th-16th at other events before parting ways on December 3, 2024.[67] On December 14, 2024, TSM benched its primary CS2 roster—including Frederik "acoR" Gyldstrand, William "sirah" Kjærsgaard, and zyphon—to assess options for the 2025 season, effectively halting operations without an active lineup as of that date.[68] Rumors circulated in late 2024 about plans to assemble a North American roster, but no confirmed reformation or competitive activity followed by October 2025.[69] The organization's CS2 tenure yielded no Major appearances or significant prize earnings, contrasting with its more successful CS:GO era in 2015–2016.[70]Rocket League
Team SoloMid entered the Rocket League esports scene on January 4, 2019, acquiring the roster of We Dem Girlz, which included players Remkoe, EyeIgnite, and Metsanauris.[71] The team made several adjustments in its early period, adding Alpha54 to the active roster on August 4, 2019, and appointing JakeRL_ as head coach on March 14, 2019, before his departure in January 2020.[71] Further changes followed, with Alpha54 released on January 3, 2020, and Mognus_RL and Snaski10 signed on January 11, 2020.[71] During this initial stint, TSM competed in regional and international events but did not secure major RLCS titles, contributing to a total of approximately $178,705 in earnings across its history as of October 2025. The organization released its Rocket League roster on April 11, 2020, marking a hiatus from the game.[71] TSM returned on January 24, 2024, by acquiring the Hey Bro team, though specific player details from this acquisition were not widely documented in primary announcements.[71] LoREclipse joined as coach on April 23, 2024.[71] The team participated in RLCS qualifiers and majors during 2024, but performance remained mid-tier, leading to another release on October 30, 2024.[71] TSM reformed its Rocket League division on January 17, 2025, signing an Oceanic-focused roster of Amphis (Luke Riddell), kaka (Josh Watters), and Superlachie.[71] This lineup competed in the RLCS 2025 season across 14 tournaments, earning $57,050 in prize money.[72] Notable results included a 19th-20th place finish at the RLCS 2025 World Championship on September 14, 2025, in France, where NRG emerged as champions.[72][73] Additional performances featured losses in the Raleigh Major to Vitality (3-0) and in the Esports World Cup lower bracket semifinals to Spacestation Gaming (3-1).[74][75] As of October 2025, the team remains active in regional qualifiers but has not achieved podium finishes in S-tier events during the 2025 cycle.[33]Overwatch
Team SoloMid entered the Overwatch competitive scene on July 22, 2016, acquiring the roster of Code7 to contest Overwatch Open qualifiers, the precursor to structured regional circuits.[76] The initial lineup included players such as harbleu and Joemeister.[76] However, TSM released the team approximately two weeks later amid additional allegations concerning the players' prior histories, effectively halting their early involvement.[77] By May 5, 2017, TSM fully withdrew from Overwatch, attributing the decision to the prohibitive franchise fees imposed by Blizzard for entry into the Overwatch League.[76] The organization remained absent from the title's esports landscape for several years, even as the Overwatch League operated from 2018 to 2023 before its dissolution in November 2023 due to unsustainable costs and viewership declines.[76] TSM returned to Overwatch on May 1, 2024, signing the roster of Timeless shortly after their participation in Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS) 2024 Stage 2, amid the shift to an open-circuit format post-Overwatch League.[78] The team, featuring tank Joshua "Chopper" Song, DPS players including Julian "Rokit" Pizana and SeonJun, and supports such as John "iCy" Kazura and Christopher "Cjay" Smith, competed primarily in North American OWCS stages and FACEIT League events.[79] Their results included a second-place finish in FACEIT League Season 2 NA Master on September 15, 2024, alongside earlier placements like top 6 in FACEIT League Season 1 and competitive showings in OWCS stages, though they achieved no major international qualifications.[76] On October 16, 2024, TSM disbanded the roster following a failure to qualify for OWCS Finals 2024, reflecting broader instability in Overwatch esports, including inadequate publisher support and unclear prospects for 2025 circuits.[80][81] No subsequent reformation has occurred as of late 2025.[76]PUBG: Battlegrounds
Team SoloMid established its PUBG: Battlegrounds division on May 9, 2017, initially forming a roster to compete in North American and international events.[82] The team underwent multiple roster overhauls and brief hiatuses, including a reformation on April 24, 2020, following an earlier departure from the game.[82] Early competitive efforts yielded mixed results, with the organization securing its first major titles in 2020: victory at the DreamHack PUBG Spring Showdown and first place in the PUBG Continental Series 2020 Series 1 Europe.[82] Subsequent years saw TSM building a competitive presence, particularly through strategic acquisitions and international talent integration. In 2024, the team delivered standout performances, finishing second at the PUBG Global Championship on December 22, 2024, and third at the PUBG Global Series 6 on November 10, 2024—marking their strongest global showings to date.[83] Over its tenure, TSM's PUBG squad accumulated $1,124,720 in prize money across approximately 140 matches, with around 110 victories.[82][84] The division's final active roster, as of early 2025, featured players including Aaron "aLOW" Lommen (United States), Luke "luke12" Newey (Australia), and Kurtis "Purdy" Bond (United States), supported by coach roles.[82] TSM announced the release of the roster on January 15, 2025, citing an incredible year of support and achievements, effectively ending operations in PUBG: Battlegrounds.[82][85] This disbandment aligned with broader shifts in the organization's esports priorities, though no immediate replacement division was formed.[86]Halo Infinite
Team SoloMid entered the Halo Infinite competitive scene on January 31, 2025, by joining the Halo Championship Series (HCS) as one of the partnered organizations for Year 4.[87][88] The organization assembled a roster primarily from the remnants of the PURE team, which had finished fourth at the 2024 HCS World Championship, acquiring three of its four players to form a competitive North American lineup.[89] The initial TSM Halo Infinite roster consisted of players Youssef "Cherished" Shaaban, Roman "Druk" Nasirudin, Michael "SoulSnipe" Girgis, and Hunter "Taulek" Davis, coached by Trey.[88][90] This lineup debuted in the 2025 HCS season, focusing on online qualifiers and majors leading to the Halo World Championship.[91] In early competition, TSM secured second place at the TSM Pro Am Showdown #2 on October 2, 2025, earning $1,500 behind winner Shopify Rebellion.[92] At the Halo World Championship 2025, held in October, TSM advanced through pool play and defeated FaZe Clan 3-1 in the elimination quarterfinals, demonstrating strong performance in series play but exiting the tournament without a podium finish.[93][94] Detailed statistics for the team's kill-death ratios, map win rates, and individual player contributions are tracked via HCS platforms, with Druk noted for standout plays in key matches.[95]Emerging Titles
In recent years, TSM has expanded into emerging esports titles to broaden its competitive footprint beyond established divisions, focusing on games with growing professional scenes and high potential for audience engagement. This strategy aligns with the organization's pivot toward multi-title diversification following challenges in legacy titles like League of Legends.[23] One such entry is Apex Legends, a battle royale shooter developed by Respawn Entertainment, where TSM maintains an active roster in the 2025 Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS). The team competes in the Americas Pro League Split 1, featuring players Dooplex (Ira Shepherd), Gent (Rigoberto Padilla), and Panic (Nathaniel Arthur), who joined on April 28, 2025.[96] This roster participates in group-stage matchmaking against regional opponents, aiming to qualify for higher-stakes events like the ALGS Championship, though specific results as of October 2025 remain mid-tier without major LAN victories.[97] TSM's most recent incursion is into The Finals, a free-to-play first-person shooter by Embark Studios emphasizing destructible environments and team-based objectives, which launched its competitive ecosystem in 2024. On October 16, 2025, TSM signed the North American trio from No Hours—Arko, Apollo, and Visions—securing direct qualification for the Grand Major tournament at DreamHack Stockholm on November 28-29, 2025.[98] This move positions TSM among early adopters in a nascent scene projected to feature expanding prize pools and global events, with the signed players bringing prior regional experience from qualifiers. No prior tournament wins are recorded for the TSM-branded lineup, reflecting the title's early development stage.[99]Former Divisions
League of Legends
Team SoloMid (TSM) entered competitive League of Legends in 2011, establishing its division as the organization's foundational esports venture under founder Andy "Reginald" Dinh. The team initially competed in regional tournaments, achieving early success such as a runner-up finish at IEM Season VI Global Challenge Kiev in March 2012.[10] By 2013, TSM secured a spot in the newly formed North American League of Legends Championship Series (LCS), where it became a dominant force, winning its first LCS title in Summer 2013.[9] During the mid-2010s, particularly the "Bjergsen era" from 2014 to 2020, TSM amassed multiple LCS championships, totaling seven—the most of any North American organization—spanning splits like Spring 2014, Summer 2015, Spring 2016, Summer 2016, Spring 2017, and others.[100] These victories generated approximately $1.5 million in LCS prize money alone.[2] Internationally, TSM qualified for the World Championship eight times between 2013 and 2020 but consistently underperformed beyond group stages, with its best result being semifinals in 2016; the team never secured a global title, highlighting the gap between domestic dominance and international competitiveness.[36][101] Post-2020, TSM's performance declined amid roster instability, failing to win another LCS title and missing international events like Worlds from 2021 onward. Factors included challenges in attracting top international talent due to Riot Games' import restrictions and internal organizational shifts.[24] In May 2023, TSM announced its exit from the LCS effective after the 2023 Championship, citing long-term goals of contending for a World Championship, which North America's ecosystem could no longer support amid franchising changes and revenue-sharing models that devalued LCS slots.[2][102] The division officially concluded operations on September 20, 2023, with TSM selling its LCS franchise spot rather than relocating to another region, marking the end of 12 years in League of Legends esports.[103][23]Call of Duty
Team SoloMid entered competitive Call of Duty esports on February 5, 2016, acquiring the roster of Rush eSports midway through the Black Ops III season to compete in the Call of Duty World League (CWL) North American Pro Division.[104] At the time of acquisition, the team held a 4-4 record and sixth-place standing in Stage 1 regular season play.[105] The roster featured players Cole Chancey (ColeChan), Johnathan Tucker (Pacman), and Jamal (Whea7s), with Andrew Ivers (Ivy) joining on March 30, 2016.[104] TSM's participation yielded limited success, with the team placing 5th–8th at the NA CWL Stage 1 Playoffs on April 3, 2016, securing $16,000 in prize money.[106] This accounted for the bulk of their Call of Duty earnings, totaling approximately $19,000 across all events in the discipline, with no major tournament victories or qualifications to international events like the CWL Global Pro League.[106] The organization struggled with consistency in the highly competitive North American scene dominated by teams such as OpTic Gaming and Cloud9. On July 11, 2016, TSM released the entire roster—Ivy, Whea7s, Pacman, and ColeChan—effectively disbanding the division after five months of operation.[104] The exit followed subpar results, including failure to advance deeply in subsequent CWL stages, reflecting insufficient return on investment amid the league's franchising preparations and emphasis on established performers.[107] TSM did not re-enter console or PC Call of Duty competition thereafter, shifting focus to other titles, though they later acquired a Call of Duty: Mobile squad in 2021.[105]Rainbow Six Siege
Team SoloMid entered the professional Rainbow Six Siege scene on June 16, 2019, acquiring the North American Pro League roster from Excelerate Gaming and signing Jason "Beaulo" Doty, a prominent content creator and player.[108] The initial lineup featured Matthew "Achieved" Solomon as team captain, alongside Doty, Khalil "b1ologic" Pleas, Tommy "Krusher" Samuel, Bryan "Merc" Wrzek, and Owen "Pojoman" Wheeler as coach.[109] This acquisition positioned TSM as a contender in the North American division, leveraging Doty's popularity to boost visibility, with the team achieving mid-tier online league results but stronger showings at LAN events early on.[110] Over the next three years, TSM's roster evolved through targeted adjustments, maintaining a core of Achieved, Beaulo, and Merc while rotating in players like "ctzn" and "Hotancold" to address inconsistencies in regional play.[109] The organization invested heavily in the division, competing consistently in Ubisoft's North American League (NAL) and international majors, where they secured multiple top placements, including runner-up finishes at events like the Six Major Raleigh 2020.[111] Their breakthrough came at the Six Invitational 2022, the game's premier annual world championship held in São Paulo, Brazil, on February 8–20, 2022, where TSM defeated Team Liquid 3–1 in the grand finals to claim the title and a $1 million prize—the first global Rainbow Six Siege victory for a North American team unaffiliated with former player Troy "Canadian" Jaroslawski.[108][111] This win highlighted the team's tactical prowess, particularly Achieved's leadership and Beaulo's fragging ability, amassing over $1.8 million in total earnings across the division's lifespan.[112] Following the championship, internal changes accelerated, with Beaulo announcing his retirement from competitive play on January 28, 2023, citing personal reasons after departing TSM.[113] TSM officially exited the Rainbow Six Siege ecosystem on February 10, 2023, less than a year after their world title, releasing the remaining roster including Achieved, who later retired in July 2023.[108][112] The departure was attributed to strategic realignment amid reports of declining investment viability in the title, though Ubisoft had been notified in advance, allowing for a smooth transition in the NAL.[114] Despite the short tenure, TSM's run elevated North American representation on the global stage, with their 2022 victory remaining a benchmark for regional success in a scene dominated by European squads.[112]Other Discontinued Teams
TSM entered Dota 2 esports by signing the roster of Team Undying on November 30, 2021, to compete in the 2022 Dota Pro Circuit season. The team secured a 2-0 victory over OG at the PGL Major Stockholm 2022, advancing in the tournament bracket. On December 6, 2023, TSM parted ways with the roster and announced its exit from North American Dota 2 competition, allowing the players to continue as an independent entity under Team Undying for events like ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023.[115][116][117] In the mobile MOBA Vainglory, TSM acquired Alliance's roster on March 10, 2016, forming a North American division that won the Vainglory Winter Championships and reached the finals of the 2016 World Championships against Phoenix Armada. The team earned approximately $52,250 in prize money across tournaments. TSM disbanded the Vainglory division on July 19, 2018, amid declining interest in the game's competitive scene.[118][119] TSM's involvement in PUBG Mobile included signing the former Stalwart Esports roster on July 30, 2021, for the Indian market under Battlegrounds Mobile India. The partnership with Entity Gaming ended with the release of the lineup on July 22, 2021, shortly after formation, marking an early discontinuation. Separately, TSM dropped its competitive PUBG PC roster in February 2022 after nearly five years, citing strategic shifts, though a brief return occurred before full disbandment in January 2025 following a second-place finish at the PUBG Global Championship 2024.[86][120]Achievements and Records
Tournament Victories and Titles
TSM's League of Legends team dominated North American professional play, securing a record seven LCS championships between 2013 and 2017, more than any other organization. These titles include victories in the Summer Split of 2013, Spring and Summer Splits of 2014, Spring and Summer Splits of 2016, and Spring and Summer Splits of 2017.[9] The team also claimed the Intel Extreme Masters Katowice Season IX title on March 12-15, 2015, defeating Team WE 3-1 in the grand finals.[36] In PUBG: Battlegrounds, TSM's European squad won the PUBG Continental Series 1: Europe on July 19-26, 2020, amassing 185 points and 119 kills across six matches to secure first place ahead of FaZe Clan.[82] TSM's Overwatch 2 division achieved a regional title by winning the Overwatch Champions Series 2024 - North America Stage 3 in mid-2024, defeating rivals in a best-of-five grand finals format.[121] Across other disciplines, TSM recorded victories in lower-tier events, such as multiple wins in Smite's Super Regional championships and early Rocket League tournaments, but no additional S-tier global championships beyond those listed.[122] As of October 2025, TSM's newer Halo Infinite and emerging title divisions have not secured major tournament wins.[87]Competitive Milestones and Statistics
TSM has secured $12,560,238 in total prize money from 1,033 tournaments across esports disciplines as of late 2023.[1] This figure reflects participation in titles including League of Legends, Rainbow Six Siege, PUBG: Battlegrounds, and Super Smash Bros., with notable earnings from North American regional circuits and international events. In League of Legends, TSM achieved the highest number of LCS championships among North American organizations, winning seven titles from Summer 2013 to Summer 2017.[9] These victories include three consecutive splits (Summer 2016, Spring 2017, Summer 2017), contributing approximately $1,756,475 to the organization's earnings from the game.[123] TSM veteran bot laner WildTurtle set the LCS record for most regular-season games played, surpassing 700 appearances by July 2023.[124] Across other titles, TSM earned $1,866,000 from Rainbow Six Siege, primarily through U.S. National League wins and Six Invitational qualifications.[1] In PUBG: Battlegrounds, the team accumulated $1,124,720 before disbanding its division in January 2025, highlighted by top finishes in North American Pro League seasons.[82] Super Smash Bros. contributed $462,733, driven by consistent performances in major brackets like Genesis and EVO.[1]| Discipline | Approximate Earnings | Key Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| League of Legends | $1,756,475 | 7 LCS titles (record) [125] |
| Rainbow Six Siege | $1,866,000 | Multiple USN wins [1] |
| PUBG: Battlegrounds | $1,124,720 | NPL regional dominance [82] |
| Super Smash Bros. | $462,733 | Top 8s at major S-tier events [1] |