{{Short description|Defunct esports organization}} {{for|the esports team owned by Envy Gaming|Team Envy}} {{Infobox company | name = Envy Gaming | logo = Team Envy logo.svg | type = Private | industry = Esports | founded = November 19, 2007 (original version)<br>January 17, 2025 (current version) | defunct = June 27, 2022 (original version) | founder = Tosh "Stainville" Mcgruder <br/> Skyler "Foreplayy" Johnson | fate = | hq_location_city = Dallas, Texas, U.S. | hq_location_country = | key_people = {{ubl|Adam Rymer (CEO)|Geoff Moore (President and COO)}} | products = | revenue = {{usd|8}} million (2019)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Settimi |first1=Christina |title='Awful Business' Or The New Gold Rush? The Most Valuable Companies In Esports Are Surging |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinasettimi/2019/11/05/awful-business-or-the-new-gold-rush-the-most-valuable-companies-in-esports-are-surging/#2b55f131324d |accessdate=December 16, 2019 |work=Forbes |date=November 5, 2019}}</ref> | owner = | num_employees = | num_employees_year = <!-- Year of num_employees data (if known) --> | subsid = {{ubl | ENVY | Dallas Fuel | Dallas Empire }} | website = {{website|http://envy.gg/}} }}
'''Envy Gaming, Inc''' is a collective esports and gaming company. It was originally founded in 2007 by Tosh "Stainville" Mcgruder and Skyler "Foreplayy" Johnson as a ''Call of Duty'' esports team known as '''Team EnVyUs'''. '''Envy Gaming, LLC''' was formed in October 2012 and incorporated as Envy Gaming, Inc in May 2016. The company owned and operated several esports teams, including Team Envy, the Dallas Fuel of the Overwatch League, and OpTic Texas of the Call of Duty League with OpTic Gaming. In June 2022, it was announced Envy Gaming would retire the Envy brand, and fully become OpTic Gaming. In January 2025, Mike "Hastr0" Rufail reacquired the brand, reviving the company.
== History == thumb|left|upright|Owner and CEO Mike "Hastr0" Rufail
=== 2007–2016 === Envy Gaming was originally founded by Tosh "Stainville" Mcgruder and Skyler "Foreplayy" Johnson as a professional ''Call of Duty 4'' team in 2007, known as Team EnVyUs. The team brought on Mike "Hastr0" Rufail in 2009 as a team member; Rufail would eventually become the team's owner.<ref>{{cite news |last1=James |first1=Ford |title=History of CoD eSports: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare |url=https://dotesports.com/call-of-duty/news/history-of-cod-esports-call-of-duty-4-modern-warfare-9779 |accessdate=December 16, 2019 |work=Dot Esports |date=April 17, 2019}}</ref> Envy Gaming, LLC was officially established in North Carolina on October 31, 2012.<ref>{{Citation |author=North Carolina Secretary of State |date=October 29, 2012 |title=Articles of Organization of Envy Gaming, LLC |id=C2012 305 00359}}</ref> The company was officially incorporated on May 25, 2016, as Envy Gaming, Inc.<ref>{{Citation |author=North Carolina Secretary of State |date=June 15, 2016 |title=Application for Certificate of Authority |id=C2016 194 00130}}</ref>
=== 2017–2022 === After a reportedly {{usd|35}} million investment from Hersh Interactive Group in September 2017, Envy Gaming relocated their headquarters from Charlotte, North Carolina to Dallas, Texas.<ref name="DMN 2017">{{cite news |last1=Garrett |first1=Arnessa |title=E-sports pioneer Team Envy announces relocation to Dallas after big investment from oil baron |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/business/2017/09/18/e-sports-pioneer-team-envy-announces-relocation-to-dallas-after-big-investment-from-oil-baron/ |accessdate=December 17, 2019 |work=Dallas Morning News |date=September 18, 2017}}</ref> The deal also allowed Envy to purchase the Dallas-based Overwatch League franchise spot for an estimated {{usd|20}} million, making them one of twelve teams competing in the league's inaugural season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.heroesneverdie.com/2017/9/20/16338168/envyus-optic-comcast-join-overwatch-league|title=Meet the final founding members of the Overwatch League|last=Marshall|first=Cass|date=September 20, 2017|work=Heroes Never Die|access-date=July 16, 2018|archive-date=July 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717070658/https://www.heroesneverdie.com/2017/9/20/16338168/envyus-optic-comcast-join-overwatch-league|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/esports/story/_/id/20267274/blizzard-add-team-envyus-austin-dallas-overwatch-league-rep|title=Blizzard to add Team EnVyUs as Austin-Dallas Overwatch League rep|last=Wolf|first=Jacob|date=August 6, 2017|work=ESPN|access-date=October 20, 2017}}</ref> Envy Gaming filled the roster by transferring all of the members and staff from the ''Overwatch'' team of Team EnVyUs, which officially ended EnVyUs' ''Overwatch'' division.<ref>{{cite news |last=Marshall |first=Cass |title=The Dallas Fuel are eager to debut in the Overwatch League |work=Heroes Never Die |date=November 7, 2017 |url=https://www.heroesneverdie.com/2017/11/7/16617034/dallas-fuel-mike-rufail-interview-roster-overwatch-league |access-date=July 28, 2019 |archive-date=July 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728153053/https://www.heroesneverdie.com/2017/11/7/16617034/dallas-fuel-mike-rufail-interview-roster-overwatch-league |url-status=dead }}</ref> On October 5, 2017, the Dallas-based franchise name was revealed as the Dallas Fuel.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://dotesports.com/overwatch/dallas-fuel-overwatch-league-17823|title=Team Envy's Overwatch League team will be called the Dallas Fuel|last=Carpenter|first=Nicole|date=October 5, 2017|work=Dot Esports|access-date=October 20, 2017|archive-date=November 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119123809/https://dotesports.com/overwatch/dallas-fuel-overwatch-league-17823|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On June 28, 2018, Envy Gaming hired former COO for the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) and EVP of sales and marketing for the Dallas Stars Geoff Moore as its first President and COO.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fischer |first1=Ben |title=Sports Industry Veteran Geoff Moore to Join Envy Gaming as President |url=https://esportsobserver.com/geoff-moore-envy-gaming/ |accessdate=December 17, 2019 |work=The Esports Observer |date=June 28, 2018}}</ref>
Envy established their second franchised team in May 2019 with the purchase of a slot for Activision's ''Call of Duty'' League for a reported {{usd|25}} million.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Vincent |first1=Brittany |title=Activision Sells First Five 'Call of Duty' Esports League Teams |url=https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/call-of-duty-esports-league-teams-1203203619/ |accessdate=December 17, 2019 |work=Variety |date=May 2, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Webb |first1=Kevin |title=Twelve teams reportedly paid $25 million each to join a new esports league around one of the biggest games in the world — here’s everything you need to know about Call of Duty League |url=https://www.businessinsider.sg/call-of-duty-league-teams-schedule-salary-rules-format-2019-11/ |accessdate=December 17, 2019 |work=Business Insider |date=November 9, 2019 |archive-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217180035/https://www.businessinsider.sg/call-of-duty-league-teams-schedule-salary-rules-format-2019-11/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The team's name, Dallas Empire, and branding were revealed on October 19 and chosen as a callback to the organization's roots.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Magelssen |first1=Tommy |title=Dallas Empire branding for Envy Gaming’s Call of Duty League team signals 'a new era' for a storied esports organization |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-fuel/2019/10/20/dallas-empire-branding-for-envy-gamings-call-of-duty-league-team-signals-a-new-era-for-a-storied-esports-organization/ |accessdate=December 17, 2019 |work=Dallas Morning News |date=October 19, 2019}}</ref>
In October 2019, Envy Gaming established their headquarters and training facility at Victory Park in Dallas. The {{convert|20872|sqft|m2}} will include space dedicated to team training, content creation, player development, and wellness training.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Montes |first1=Bianca |title=Envy Gaming to Establish Esports Training Center and Headquarters in Dallas' Victory Park |url=https://www.dmagazine.com/commercial-real-estate/2019/10/envy-gaming-to-establish-esports-training-center-and-headquarters-in-dallas-victory-park/ |accessdate=December 17, 2019 |work=D Magazine |date=October 31, 2019}}</ref>
On July 9, 2020, Envy Gaming appointed that Adam Rymer as the company's new CEO, replacing founder and owner Mike Rufail.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ajamy |first1=David |title=Dallas-based Envy Gaming names new CEO |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2020/07/10/envy-gaming-adam-rymer.html#:~:text=Dallas%2Dbased%20Envy%20Gaming%20announced,organization's%20competitive%20players%20and%20coaches |access-date=April 1, 2021 |work=Dallas Business Journal |date=July 10, 2020}}</ref>
In November 2021, it was announced that Envy Gaming would acquire the OpTic Gaming brand as part of a merger. OpTic Gaming leader Hector "HECZ" Rodriguez joined the combined companies' ownership group and was to serve as President of OpTic Gaming. This also brought the OpTic Texas roster for Activision Blizzard's Call of Duty League into the Envy family.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Edwards |first1=Alex |title=OpTic Gaming Merges With Envy Gaming to Form a Combined North Texas Esports Powerhouse |url=https://dallasinnovates.com/optic-gaming-merges-with-envy-gaming-to-form-a-combined-north-texas-esports-powerhouse/ |access-date=June 28, 2022 |work=Dallas Innovates |date=November 9, 2021}}</ref>
In January 2022, Envy Gaming acquired the operating contract for Esports Stadium Arlington, an esports facility located in Arlington, Texas, from Esports Venues LLC.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Swanger |first1=Ben |title=Dallas-based Envy Gaming Acquires Esports Stadium in Arlington |url=https://www.dmagazine.com/sports/2022/01/dallas-based-envy-gaming-acquires-esports-stadium-in-arlington/ |access-date=January 14, 2022 |work=D Magazine |date=January 13, 2022}}</ref>
In June 2022, it was announced Envy Gaming would retire the Envy brand, and fully become OpTic Gaming. The Envy Foundation, a grant program helping North Texas middle schools and high schools, became the OpTic Foundation. Team Envy's content creators and ''Rocket League'' team were rebranded to OpTic Gaming, while the Dallas Fuel team remained as is.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-27 |title=Envy Gaming retires its esports brand, becomes OpTic Gaming |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/optic-texas/2022/06/27/envy-gaming-retires-its-esports-brand-becomes-optic-gaming/ |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=Dallas News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=SBJ Unpacks: Nike continues to see tough North American market |url=https://sportsbusinessjournal.com/SB-Blogs/SBJ-Unpacks/2022/06/27.aspx |access-date=June 28, 2022 |work=Sports Business Journal |date=June 27, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
=== 2025–''Present'' === On January 17, 2025, Mike "Hastr0" Rufail re-acquired the brand. <ref name="hastr0 reacquires envy">{{cite web|url=https://dotesports.com/call-of-duty/news/team-envy-revived-by-hastr0-with-dallas-fuel-dallas-empire-in-tow|title=Team Envy revived by Hastr0 with Dallas Fuel, Dallas Empire in tow|date=January 17, 2025|author=Scott Duwe|publisher=Dot Esports]|language=en}}</ref>
== Investors == Envy Gaming acquired several investors in 2017. In March, it was revealed that prior to becoming chief business officer of Team Envy, John Brock had invested a seven-figure sum into the team.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.charlotteagenda.com/83624/will-team-become-charlottes-next-major-league-sports-franchise/|title=Will this team become Charlotte’s next major league sports franchise?|last=Dunn|first=Andrew|date=March 9, 2017|work=Charlotte Agenda|access-date=July 20, 2018}}</ref> Months later, in September, Team Envy owner Mike Rufail confirmed that the organization had secured a reportedly {{usd|35}} million investment from Hersh Interactive Group. The deal entailed Hersh serving as strategic partners to the organization, whilst Rufail would remain as the principal owner and operator of the team.<ref name="DMN 2017" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://dotesports.com/business/team-envyus-oil-magnate-investment-17452|title=Team EnVyUs confirms eight-figure investment deal from oil magnate|last=Carpenter|first=Nicole|date=September 18, 2017|work=Dot Esports|access-date=October 20, 2017|archive-date=October 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022033401/https://dotesports.com/business/team-envyus-oil-magnate-investment-17452|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://esportsinsider.com/2017/09/team-envyus-confirm-multi-eight-figure-investment-hersh-interactive-group/|title=Team EnVyUs confirm "multi eight figure investment" from Hersh Interactive Group|last=Ring|first=Oliver|date=September 19, 2017|work=Esports Insider|access-date=July 16, 2018}}</ref> Two months later, World Series of Poker High Roller winner Fedor Holz invested in Envy Gaming to become a minority owner.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wolf |first1=Jacob |title=Poker pro Fedor Holz invests in Team Envy, Dallas Fuel |url=https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/21786007/world-series-poker-pro-fedor-holz-invests-team-envy-dallas-fuel |accessdate=December 17, 2019 |work=ESPN |date=December 16, 2017}}</ref>
In July 2018, Preston Arsement, known as the YouTube personality PrestonPlayz, joined Envy Gaming as an investor and content creator.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hollingsworth |first1=David |title=Preston Arsement partners with Team Envy |url=https://esportsinsider.com/2018/07/preston-arsement-partners-with-team-envy/ |accessdate=December 17, 2019 |work=Esports Insider |date=July 19, 2018}}</ref> In January 2019, Envy announced it had raised {{usd|20}} million in external capital; they did not reveal the identity of the investors and only described them as "a mix of prominent local investors and Texas families, as well as a select set of national investors."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fischer |first1=Ben |title=Envy Gaming Raises $20M from External Investors |url=https://esportsobserver.com/envy-gaming-raises-20m/ |accessdate=December 17, 2019 |work=The Esports Observer |date=January 4, 2019}}</ref>
In August 2020, Post Malone acquired a minority stake, joining as a co-owner.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Webster|first=Andrew|date=2020-08-28|title=Post Malone is now a co-owner of Texas’ biggest esports teams|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/28/21406041/post-malone-envy-gaming-dallas-empire-fuel|access-date=2021-06-22|website=The Verge|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Beresford|first=Trilby|date=2020-08-28|title=Post Malone Takes Equity Stake in Envy Gaming (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/post-malone-takes-equity-stake-in-envy-gaming-exclusive-4048842/|access-date=2021-06-22|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * [http://envy.gg/ Official website]
{{Dallas Fuel|state=collapsed}}
Category:Envy Gaming Category:American companies established in 2007 Category:Entertainment companies established in 2007