Cloud9 New York Explained

Cloud9 New York
Upright:yes
Current:2024 Call of Duty League season
Current Icon:Esports
Founded:May 02, 2019
League:Call of Duty League
City:New York City, New York, United States HQ: Dallas Texas
Championships:1 (2023)
Stage Titles:3(2023 Major 1 & 5), (2024 Major 4)
Parent Group:Cloud9
History:New York Subliners
(2019–2024)
Cloud9 New York
(2024–present)

Cloud9 New York are an American professional Call of Duty League (CDL) esports team based in New York City, New York. The team is operated by Cloud9, an esports organization owned by Jack Etienne. The team were formerly known as the New York Subliners (NYSL), owned by Sterling Equities subsidiary Sterling.VC.[1] New York was announced as one of the first five cities to own a spot in the CDL.[2]

History

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

NYSL entered the CDL with high expectations due to their veteran filled lineup led by ZooMaa.[3] These expectations were halted quickly, with the team suffering frequent losses at the Launch Weekend event. The underperforming continued into the following events for the Subliners, ultimately leading to the team's first roster change; in which they acquired "Mack".[4]

This new addition of Mack also brought along a new energy to the team. The NYSL defeated fan-favorite Chicago Huntsmen during week 6, winning in a unanimous 3–0 fashion.[5] The team went on to finish 5th in the league overall.[6]

The Subliners faced obstacles early with team composition. This came in January 2021 when Tommy 'ZooMaa' Paparatto, veteran Call of Duty professional and league starter announced his retirement.[7] The team responded with the addition of amateur player, Conor 'Diamondcon' Johst to fill this position.[8]

Call of Duty: Vanguard

The Call of Duty team of NYSL had been struggling for a while before they picked up a player named KiSMET, who had been making waves in the competitive scene for his exceptional skills. KiSMET's addition to the team was a game-changer, and he immediately showed his worth in the Respawn game mode.

With KiSMET on board, NYSL was able to make a strong comeback in the 2022 Vanguard Pro Am Classic, which was KiSMET's first event back in the CDL after Modern Warfare. KiSMET's contributions were crucial in their victory, and NYSL emerged as the champions of the 2022 Vanguard Pro Am Classic.[9]

On March 20, 2022, Clayster announced he was benched from NYSL in favor of PaulEhx.[10]

From July 14, 2022, to Sunday, July 17, 2022, the NYSL parent organization NYXL (company) hosted the Call of Duty League Major IV at Kings Theatre (Brooklyn).[11] After the major, NYSL had secured a spot to the Call of Duty Champs 2022.[12]

The NYSL tied for 5 & 6 place against Toronto Ultra at the 2022 Call of Duty League Championships.[13]

The NYSL continued to have obstacles in team composition throughout the 2022 season. After the championships, NYSL players Crimsix, PaulEhx, HyDra, and coach Dreal, participated on a podcast called 'The Flank', in which the players discussed racism between players, knowledge of NYXL's internal plans for their replacement since before Major 4, and favoritism from coaches and management.[14]

Crimsix, renowned professional player with the most wins in Call of Duty history, retired after the 2022 season with NYSL.[15]

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

After the departure of Crimsix, the New York Subliners built their roster for the 2023 Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 season around Hydra, making two significant additions in the form of players Priestahh and Skyz.[16]

At the first tournament of the season, Major 1 hosted by the league in Raleigh, North Carolina, NYSL won the top seat.

On December 19, 2022, NYXL announced that they would no longer be hosting Major IV for 2023.[17]

The NYSL won the 2023 Call of Duty League Championships.[18] KiSMET was awarded MVP of the event for his performance.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

After winning the MW2 championship, The New York Subliners dropped Priestahh and added Sib to their professional lineup for the MW3 Season.

At the fourth tournament of the season, Major 4 hosted by the league in Burbank, California, NYSL won the top seat.

NYSL lost the 2024 Call of Duty League Championship, losing to OpTic Texas in the Grand Final.

New York Subliners Academy

On January 25, 2024, NYSL announced that they would be creating a semi-professional team (Tier 2) for Call of Duty Challengers Cup, featuring players Gunless, Classic, PaulEhx, and Decemate.[19]

Four months later, the whole team was let go on May 7, 2024, only ten days before they were set to appear at the Call of Duty Major 3 hosted by Toronto Ultra.[20]

Awards and records

Seasons overview

SeasonRegular seasonFinishPlayoffsNote
20203013175760align=left 5thalign=left 7–8th, Lost in Losers round 2, 2–3 (London)As New York Subliners
20214124178581align=left 5thalign=left 5–6th, Lost in Losers round 2, 1–3 (Rokkr)
20222914155961align=left 8thalign=left 5–6th, Lost in Losers round 2, 0–3 (OpTic)
202348311711277align=left 3rdalign=left 1st, Won Grand Finals, 5–0 (Ultra)
202446301610876align=left 4thalign=left 2nd, Lost in Grand Finals, 1–5 (OpTic)

Tournament wins

DatePrizeEventRoster
2020-07-12$50,000Call of Duty League 2020 Week 11 – New York ZooMaa • Temp • Accuracy • Attach • Mack  
2022-05-08$100,000Call of Duty League 2022 – Pro-Am Classic HyDra • Crimsix • PaulEhx • KiSMET  
2022-12-18$200,000Call of Duty League 2023 – Major 1 HyDra • KiSMET • Skyz • Priestahh
2023-05-28$200,000Call of Duty League 2023 – Major 5HyDra • KiSMET • Skyz • Priestahh
2023-06-18$1,000,000Call of Duty League Championship 2023HyDra • KiSMET • Skyz • Priestahh
2024-06-30$150,000Call of Duty League 2024 – Major 4HyDra • KiSMET • Skyz • Sib

Individual accomplishments

Season MVP

Champs MVP

1st Team All-Star

2nd Team All-Star

Notes and References

  1. News: Binkowski . Justin . Andbox's Call of Duty League franchise is the New York Subliners. Newest member is Austin Sterkel. October 29, 2019 . Dot Esports . October 21, 2019.
  2. Web site: Activision Blizzard announces first 5 teams for Call of Duty esports league. Pei. Annie. 2019-05-02. CNBC. en. 2020-01-27.
  3. Web site: NYSL Tweet.
  4. Web site: NYSL Tweet about picking-up Mack.
  5. Web site: NYSL vs. OpTic Huntsmen Match VOD. . 12 July 2020 .
  6. Web site: NYSL vs. London Royal Ravens Match VOD. . 23 August 2020 .
  7. Web site: TwitLonger — When you talk too much for Twitter. 2021-03-06. www.twitlonger.com.
  8. Web site: New York Subliners Tweet.
  9. News: Hale . Jacob . May 9, 2022 . New York Subliners win Call of Duty League 2022 Pro-Am Classic: Final results . live . May 18, 2024 . Dexerto.
  10. News: Krajnik . Tit . March 20, 2022 . Clayster Ready For New Opportunities After Getting Benched From New York Subliners . live . May 17, 2024 . Daily Gamer.
  11. News: John . Katey, St. . June 17, 2022 . For the First Time, Brooklyn Will Be Host to 'Call of Duty,' One of the Biggest Esports Events of the Year . live . May 18, 2022 . BKReader.
  12. News: Rowe . Willa . July 20, 2022 . CALL OF DUTY LEAGUE IS STUCK IN THE '90S — IT DESERVES SO MUCH MORE . May 18, 2024 . Inverse.com.
  13. News: Binkowski . Justin . August 8, 2022 . Results for 2022 Call of Duty League Championship . live . May 18, 2024 . Dot Esports.
  14. News: Hale . Jacob . August 15, 2022 . New York Subliners CDL bust-up explained: HyDra vs Crimsix feud, The Flank & more . May 18, 2024 . Dexerto.
  15. News: Taylor-Hill . Grant . September 16, 2022 . CRIMSIX ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM CALL OF DUTY ESPORTS . May 18, 2024 . Esports.net.
  16. News: October 9, 2022 . NEW YORK SUBLINERS HAVE ANNOUNCED THEIR ROSTER FOR 2023! . May 18, 2024 . Game 5 Stats.
  17. News: Stonelake . Ant . December 19, 2022 . Call of Duty League NYSL Major 4 no longer taking place in New York . live . May 18, 2024 . Esports.gg.
  18. News: Hale . Jacob . June 19, 2023 . Call of Duty League Champs 2023: New York Subliners dominate in flawless Grand Final win . live . May 18, 2024 . Dexerto.
  19. News: January 25, 2024 . New York Subliners sign Gunless, PaulEhx, Classic, and Decemate for NYSL Academy roster . live . May 18, 2024 . Breaking Point.
  20. News: Hale . Jacob . May 8, 2024 . New York Subliners slammed for "f**king over" amateur COD team days before CDL Major . May 18, 2024 . Dexerto.
  21. Web site: Patraw . Zack . Hydra named regular season MVP . Esports Illustrated . 19 June 2023 . 17 June 2023.