Esports is becoming increasingly competitive and profitable. Far gone are the days the industry was recognized as a heaven of lazy teenagers. Today, the industry is way more celebrated, with some of the biggest sports businesses sponsoring esports competitions.
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Top bookmakers now provide exciting markets for esports fixtures. For example, esports tournaments like Dota 2 and League of Legends are staples on Sportingbet, with the latter extensively reviewed on telecom-asia.
Indeed, top esports players are earning an enviable living from the industry. This article discusses some of the biggest earners (professional players) the esports industry boasts.
3. Anathan “ana” Pham
Anathan “ana” Pham, a professional Dota 2 player who is Vietnamese and Australian, has established himself as one of the best in the game.
He is currently 23 years old and has received prize money totaling more than $6 million.
Unquestionably skilled in Dota 2, Ana is known for his mechanical prowess and precision. He is one of the most crucial players in the game and is renowned for handling pressure effectively. Despite being a free agent, he has played for many great clubs, including OG, where he won The International in 2018 and 2019.
However, not just Ana’s talent makes him unique; it’s also his humility and dedication to his career.
His quiet demeanor and commitment to developing his skills are well known. The eSports community has greatly benefited from his commitment since he has highlighted the importance of work and persistence.
Along with his successes in Dota 2, Ana is widely celebrated for his philanthropic endeavors. He has participated in several fundraising campaigns to support those in need and donated some of his prize money to charity.
2. Jesse “JerAx” Vainikka
JerAx, a Finnish esports guru, is regarded as one of Dota 2’s top support players. He’s 28 years old, and his career has been outstanding.
Although JerAx has played for various clubs throughout his career, his tenure with OG is undoubtedly the one for which he is most remembered.
He competed for the OG team, which took first place at The International 2018, one of the largest Dota 2 competitions ever. He has twice won The International, in 2018 and 2019.
JerAx has played in around 38 events throughout his career, winning over $6.4 million in cash prizes. He and his team won almost $15 million at The International 2019 in prize money, making that his highest win to date.
JerAx’s proficiency with support heroes contributes to his high reputation as a superb player. He is well renowned for managing the pace of a game, and he frequently receives praise for putting his side in a position to succeed. Additionally, he has a reputation for making bold decisions and collaborating effectively with others.
1. Johan “N0tail” Sundstein
One of the top players in the video game Dota 2 is a Danish esports competitor named N0tail. He has had an enviable and lengthy esports career and is 29 years old.
N0tail has, over the years, played for many different clubs. Yet without question, his time with OG is the one for which he is most known. He was a part of the OG lineup that won the 2018 and 2019 The International, two of the greatest Dota 2 competitions in the world. He has won The International four times throughout his career—twice with OG and once with different teams.
N0tail has participated in over 58 events throughout his career and has won over $7.1 million in cash prizes. He and his team won almost $15 million at The International 2019 in prize money, making that his highest win to date.
The adaptability of N0tail is one of the factors contributing to his high reputation as a player. He is renowned for his leadership qualities and for inspiring and maintaining his team’s attention. He is also recognized for being able to play a wide range of heroes, and he frequently receives praise for outthinking opponents with creative moves.
Of course, this list is not exhaustive. We still have other well-paid esports stars like Amer “Miracle” Al-Barkawi andKuro “KuroKy” Salehi Takhasomi. These players have diligently honed their craft across the years–and gotten deservedly rewarded.