Video game streamer xQc leaves online streaming platform Twitch and signs a $100 million contract with Kick.com. According to the New York Times, it is a non-exclusive deal that will pay $35 million annually. Also, Dexerto says the agreement marks the 12th largest annual payout in sports!
This phenomenon marks a pivotal moment in the video game industry. Felix Lengyel, a.k.a. “xQc,” shows businesses acknowledge this medium’s growing popularity and potential. As a result, this entertainment type may soon become as prominent as professional sports.
Also, this story may encourage aspiring content creators to reach for their dreams! This article will discuss Lengyel’s latest nine-figure deal with video streaming platform Kick.com. Then, I will discuss xQc’s career and the future of Twitch and the video game industry.
What are xQc’s terms with Kick.com?
Bleacher Report says Lengyel’s agent, Ryan Morrison, elaborated on the content creator’s latest contract. The agent told Kellen Browning the deal is worth $70 million over two years with incentives that could raise the value to $100 million.
Forbes compares the recent agreement to NBA superstar LeBron James’ two-year Lakers contract that only reached $97.1 million. Moreover, the Gaming news website Dexerto says the Kick contract is the record’s 12th largest annual sports contract.
Morrison noted, “This is more than most professional athletes and megastars. This is one of the highest deals in entertainment, period.” Felix Lengyel is arguably the most popular Twitch streamer, with almost 12 million subscribers.
Consequently, Browning compared Twitch and xQc’s newest platform. According to Bleacher Report, Browning said 50% of streamer subscription earnings. In contrast, Kick only takes 5%. That means Lengyel would likely gain a huge chunk of the $100 million contract.
More importantly, his Kick contract is non-exclusive, meaning he can still post content on other platforms. For example, he may continue posting content on YouTube and TikTok. However, Kick.com will be his new primary home.
Streamer xQc is arguably Twitch’s most famous content creator, with almost 12 million followers. His absence would likely encourage other streamers and viewers to ditch Twitch. Eventually, Felix Lengyel will become Kick.com’s primary representative.
“Kick is allowing me to try and do things I haven’t been able to before. I’m extremely excited to maximize this opportunity into new creative and fresh ideas coming years,” he stated. Also, Forbes says Kick.com CEO Ed Craven likely has enough money to fund the xQc contract and its generous streamer terms.
Who is xQc?
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Felix Lengyel, or xQc, is a 27-year-old video game streamer from Laval, Quebec, Canada. He started sharing content in 2014, gaining 10 million followers and 518 million views.
In 2019, he played for the eSports team Dallas Fuel in the Overwatch League. Moreover, Team Canada featured Lengyel in the Overwatch World Cup.
Eventually, the group released him mid-season for repeated suspension and other problems. In December 2019, he devoted his time and effort to streaming.
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Kotaku describes xQc as a “child of Twitch raised in its often-toxic chat.” He started his streaming career with the multiplayer-only battle arena League of Legends before moving to the online first-person shooter Overwatch.
In 2021, he gained enough followers and views to become Twitch’s most popular streamer. The next year, Lengyel earned $8 million from subscriptions. Meanwhile, he lost $1.8 million in a month from online gambling.
His Kick contract lets him post content on other platforms, but he may not be able to continue streaming on Twitch. The latter’s Terms of Service prohibits simulcasting or streaming on other platforms.
Conclusion
Online streamer xQc signed a new $100 contract with Kick.com. This phenomenon marks the first time a video game professional’s deal matched some of the most lucrative sports deals.
It also shows that Twitch has a strong competitor, so it must maintain its content creators and viewers with better conditions. Otherwise, Kick may dethrone the old video game streaming king.
Nevertheless, these developments mean video game enthusiasts can expect better from their favorite form of entertainment. You may learn more about the latest digital trends from Inquirer Tech.