December 05, 2025
Which Esports Teams Are Actually Profitable in 2025? Most esports orgs lose money—but a handful have cracked the code. Here’s who’s profitable, how they do it, and why platforms like 1v1Me point to a more sustainable future for competitive gaming
The esports industry has massive viewership, global fanbases, stadium events, and sponsorships from some of the biggest brands in the world. But here’s the twist almost no casual fan realizes:
Most esports teams are not profitable.
High salaries, travel costs, content budgets, and publisher-controlled ecosystems make it incredibly difficult for organizations to operate sustainably. Still, a small group of teams have managed to turn a profit—or at least maintain positive margins.
Let’s break down which esports teams are profitable today, why so many others struggle, and how modern competitive platforms like 1v1Me demonstrate a more sustainable future for esports.
🏆 Esports Teams That Are Profitable (or Close to It)
While exact financials vary, industry reports and org disclosures consistently point to the same group of teams managing profitability—or something close to it.
These orgs stand out thanks to diversified revenue streams, creator-first models, and massive brand reach.
FaZe Clan (Post-restructure)
FaZe was once infamous for overspending, but after restructuring and focusing on creator-led content instead of bloated esports payrolls, the brand has recovered and stabilized. The value comes from:
- Creator-driven revenue
- Merch and lifestyle branding
- Partnerships that aren’t dependent on tournament winnings
Team Liquid
One of the smartest business operations in esports. Liquid’s profitability stems from:
- Strong esports performance across multiple titles
- Data-driven infrastructure
- Multiple training facilities
- A massive equity-based partnership model
T1
Fueled by the global popularity of League of Legends and superstar talent like Faker, T1 benefits from:
- Huge fanbase engagement
- Stable sponsorships
- Strong franchised league presence
G2 Esports
G2’s shift toward:
- Creator content
- Personality-driven branding
- Strong European fan loyalty
…has helped the org maintain healthier margins than most competitors.
NRG Esports
NRG stays lean by:
- Avoiding overspending on big rosters
- Investing in creators
- Building strong, high-engagement verticals (Apex, Valorant, Rocket League)
💸 Why Most Esports Teams Are Not Profitable
For every profitable org, there are dozens operating at a loss. Why?
Here are the biggest financial obstacles:
- Huge player salaries for top-tier games
- High operational costs (staff, travel, content, facilities)
- Restricted monetization controlled by game publishers
- Overreliance on sponsorships and inconsistent viewership
- Franchise fees that reach tens of millions of dollars
Combine all of that, and it's obvious why even famous orgs fold or downsize.
Traditional esports structures simply aren’t built for long-term profitability.
⚡ How 1v1Me Reflects a More Sustainable Esports Model
This is where 1v1Me showcases a forward-thinking approach to competitive gaming.
Instead of million-dollar payrolls, multi-team departments, or massive event costs, 1v1Me’s ecosystem is:
- Creator-friendly
- Player-powered
- Low-overhead
- Skill-driven
- Demand-based
Here’s why 1v1Me is closer to a profitable esports model than traditional orgs:
1. Revenue is tied directly to gameplay
Fans stake on verified pros across games like Madden, NBA 2K, COD, and FC.
More matches = more engagement = sustainable revenue.
2. No massive team salaries required
Pros play when they want. Creators compete on their schedule.
No costly 10-man rosters. No travel expenses. No bloated staff.
3. Scales infinitely
Whether 100 players or 100,000 players join the ecosystem, the model stays efficient.
4. Fans are invested in outcomes
People care more when their stake is on the line—turning every match into an event.
This isn’t just "making esports profitable."
It’s rebuilding esports in a way that actually can be profitable.
📈 The Future: Profitable Esports Will Look Very Different
Esports teams won’t thrive purely by fielding rosters and winning tournaments.
The ones that stay profitable will lean into:
- Creator-led branding
- Low-cost competition ecosystems
- Digital-first experiences
- Fan-driven engagement
- Platforms that empower individual competitors
In other words—the future looks a lot more like 1v1Me than the traditional team esports model.
⭐ Final Thoughts
So, which esports teams are profitable?
A select few—FaZe (post-reset), Liquid, G2, NRG, and T1—have figured out how to run esports as a business, not a passion project.
But the real takeaway is this:
Esports profitability comes from modern, scalable ecosystems… not from massive overhead and outdated structures.
That’s why platforms like 1v1Me represent the next evolution of competitive gaming—lean, player-driven, skill-focused, and built to last.