Heroic join Louvre Agreement and ESL Pro League

Heroic has ratified the Louvre Agreement and joined the ESL Pro League as a partner. The Louvre Agreement is a collaboration between ESL and CS:GO teams that guarantees the partnered teams a spot in the ESL Pro League and gives them a piece of the revenue from the ESL Pro Tour.

Earlier in March, ESL opened up its doors to new applicants, launching a Request for Proposals to replace 100 Thieves, the only team that left the Louvre Agreement after ceasing to operate in October 2020. The Louvre Agreement has grown to be a desirable alliance and has received over 40 applications to join.

However, only Heroic, BIG, and FURIA were able to clinch the agreement with ESL starting October 21st, 2021. To win the contract, the three groups offered a combined amount of roughly $20 million USD. Heroic’s admission was blocked by the recent Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) investigation into the spectator bug, but BIG and FURIA became partners right away after signing the Louvre Agreement.

Former Heroic CS:GO coach Nicolai “HUNDEN” Petersen claimed on Danish television in September 2021 that the team’s players were aware of his exploitation of the spectator bug. While the majority of Heroic players obtained clean cheats from ESIC after the investigation, Nikolaj “niko” Kristensen confessed the allegations and was handed a six-month probationary period.

However, following a thorough investigation that covered all concerned players as well as the Heroic and OG organizations, ESIC exonerated Heroic, allowing them to join the ESL-partnered teams. With this partnership, the organization will have a permanent spot in the ESL Pro League and receive a share of its profits.

ESL partnered teams

• Astralis
• Complexity
• BIG
• ENCE
• Evil Geniuses
• FURIA
• FaZe
• Fnatic
• G2 Esports 
• MOUZ
• Heroic
• Natus Vincere
• Ninjas in Pyjamas
• Team Liquid
• Vitality

Louvre Agreement will continue till 2025

On January 13, ESL renewed the Louvre Agreement with the associated CS:GO teams, assuring them a seat in the ESL Pro League, as well as a revenue split for the following three years. According to a press release from ESL, the new deal not only extends the partnership but also permits teams to produce more revenue. 

Up until 2025, the extension will aid in and influence the growth of the ESL Pro League and CS:GO esports in the North American region. Heroic will play in the ESL Pro League Season 16 as an ESL partnered team. The event is set to start on August 31, as competitive CS:GO moves into the next phase.

Header: ESL