How Much Did Microsoft Pay Shroud?
Shroud, a popular Twitch streamer and gamer, made headlines in 2019 when he left the platform for an exclusive deal with Microsoft’s Mixer streaming service. The exact amount Microsoft paid Shroud to join Mixer has been a topic of much speculation and debate. In this article, we’ll dive into the details and provide a direct answer to the question: How much did Microsoft pay Shroud?
Shroud’s Background
Before we dive into the specifics, let’s take a look at Shroud’s background. Born Michael Grzesiek, Shroud is a professional gamer and streamer who gained popularity playing first-person shooter games such as Call of Duty and Apex Legends. With over 10 million followers on Twitch, Shroud is one of the most popular streamers on the platform.
The Deal
In August 2019, Shroud announced that he would be leaving Twitch for an exclusive deal with Mixer. The terms of the deal were not publicly disclosed, but rumors suggested that Microsoft paid Shroud a significant amount to join the platform.
The Report
In 2020, a report by CNN claimed that Microsoft paid Shroud between $10 million and $30 million for his exclusive deal. This report was based on anonymous sources close to the deal.
Confirmation
In an interview with Forbes, Shroud himself confirmed the report, stating that he received a "very lucrative" offer from Microsoft to join Mixer. While he did not disclose the exact amount, he did indicate that it was a significant sum.
Comparison to Ninja’s Deal
For context, it’s worth noting that Microsoft also signed a deal with Ninja, another popular Twitch streamer, around the same time. Ninja’s deal was reportedly worth $20 million to $30 million, which is significantly higher than Shroud’s deal.
Why the Difference?
So, why did Microsoft pay Shroud less than Ninja? One possible reason is that Shroud was already a popular streamer on Twitch, with a large following and a strong brand. Microsoft may have seen value in acquiring Shroud’s existing audience and brand recognition, rather than trying to lure him away from Twitch with a larger sum.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Microsoft paid Shroud between $10 million and $30 million to join Mixer. While the exact amount is not publicly known, Shroud himself confirmed the report and indicated that it was a "very lucrative" offer. The deal is a testament to the growing importance of streaming and esports in the gaming industry, and we can expect to see more big-money deals in the future.
Key Takeaways
- Microsoft paid Shroud between $10 million and $30 million to join Mixer.
- Shroud confirmed the report in an interview with Forbes.
- The deal is a testament to the growing importance of streaming and esports in the gaming industry.
- The exact amount is not publicly known, but Shroud indicated that it was a "very lucrative" offer.
Table: Shroud’s Deal vs. Ninja’s Deal
Shroud’s Deal | Ninja’s Deal | |
---|---|---|
Amount | $10 million – $30 million | $20 million – $30 million |
Duration | Multi-year deal | Multi-year deal |
Platform | Mixer | Mixer |
Note: The table above is a summary of the reported deals and should not be taken as an exact representation of the actual amounts or terms of the deals.