Chiliz Acquires Majority Stake in OG Esports
OG Esports has officially entered into a strategic partnership with blockchain powerhouse Chiliz, resulting in a 51% acquisition. With Xavier Oswald reinstated as CEO and the $OG Fan Token being driven by Socios.com, OG appears poised for a renewed pursuit of excellence. Chiliz Group, recognized for its development of Socios.com and its Fan Token ecosystem, has taken control of the organization, which celebrates its triumphs as two-time champions of the Dota 2 International. The acquisition is set to enhance OG’s teams, broaden its operational scope, and elevate fan interaction through the $OG Fan Token initiative. Fan Tokens represent a pioneering approach for esports entities, providing fresh avenues for engaging with supporters and diversifying income streams beyond conventional sponsorships. Initially focused on traditional sports, including partnerships with renowned clubs like FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, Chiliz is now venturing into esports alongside OG, which adds to its portfolio of over 100 partnered sports organizations via the Socios platform.
Leadership Changes at OG Esports
In conjunction with the acquisition by Chiliz, OG Esports is undergoing significant leadership changes. Xavier Oswald, a co-founder of OG, has returned to take on the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Alongside him, fellow co-founders and champions of the Dota 2 International, Johan “n0tail” Sundstein and Sébastien “Ceb” Debs, will spearhead a new strategic initiative aimed at fortifying OG’s competitive base. Oswald, who previously served as the Chief Revenue Officer from 2018 to 2020, played a pivotal role in securing brand partnerships with major companies such as Red Bull, Steelseries, and BMW. He was instrumental in OG’s transition into the cryptocurrency and NFT space through a collaboration with Socios, laying the groundwork for the launch of the $OG Fan Token, which will celebrate its five-year anniversary in December 2025.
Socios.com to Manage $OG Fan Token
As part of the acquisition, Socios.com will take over as the exclusive platform for the $OG Fan Token. Fans can obtain the token by purchasing the Chiliz cryptocurrency, $CHZ, through the Socios.com app. Alex Dreyfus, CEO and Founder of Chiliz, expressed that “OG has always been about community and innovation, and since 2020 it has demonstrated that Fan Tokens can create genuine economic value and meaningful engagement.” With a fan token economy exceeding $100 million already in place, OG serves as a prime example of the potential that lies in centering Fan Tokens within the fan economy. This acquisition is anticipated to usher in an evolution, termed Fan Tokens 2.0. Notably, the $OG Fan Token offers fans unique privileges, including voting rights on merchandise designs, exclusive VIP experiences, and direct interaction with OG’s esports teams.
OG Esports’ Ambitious Future
The acquisition by Chiliz is expected to bolster OG’s capabilities, allowing it to compete more effectively on the global esports stage. Co-founder Sébastien “Ceb” Debs remarked that this partnership signifies the commencement of a new competitive era. He expressed, “We want to once again become a major force on the international stage and inspire a new generation of players and fans. With the support of Chiliz, we now have the means to build an ambitious and sustainable project.” Founded in 2015, OG Esports originally gained fame through its Dota 2 team, led by co-founders N0tail and Ceb, who achieved remarkable success by winning four Dota 2 Majors and back-to-back Internationals in 2018 and 2019, making history as the first team to do so. While initially focused on Dota 2, OG Esports has expanded its horizons to include other competitive titles, now participating in six different esports, including VALORANT, Counter-Strike, and more.
Expanding the OG Brand
Despite the deep-rooted legacy OG holds among Dota 2 fans, the organization has yet to establish itself as a household name across the broader esports landscape. Currently, OG’s Counter-Strike 2 team ranks #30 in the VRS Global Rankings, marking it as the organization’s second strongest division. In terms of prize earnings, the Dota 2 and Counter-Strike 2 teams account for a staggering 99.8% of all winnings secured by OG since its inception in 2015. Should the Chiliz acquisition indeed signal a new competitive chapter, OG enthusiasts might soon witness a revival that could redefine the organization’s future trajectory.
