Cloud9 Kia and Conviction Join Forces to Uplift North American League of Legends Talent in 2025
For fans of competitive League of Legends, there’s something truly special about watching new talent rise. And now, there's even more reason to get excited—Cloud9 Kia has just announced a partnership with Conviction for the 2025 season of the North American Challengers League (NACL). It’s a bold move that’s about more than just winning—it’s about building something meaningful for the future of esports.
At its core, this partnership is about mentorship and opportunity. Conviction's promising young roster will now benefit from the guidance of two of the most respected names in the scene: Cloud9’s Strategic Coach Marius ‘Veigar V2’ Aune and Assistant Coach Nicholas ‘Inero’ Smith. These coaches don’t just bring strategy—they bring heart, experience, and a genuine passion for developing players.
Cloud9 shared their excitement in a heartfelt post on social media:
“This partnership reflects our continued commitment to growing the North American talent pipeline and supporting the next generation of competitive players.”
It’s the kind of message that resonates with players and fans alike—because everyone wants to see fresh talent get the shot they deserve.
For Conviction, the timing couldn’t be better. They're deep into the NACL Split 1 2025 Playoffs, which run through June 6. With the top six teams battling it out in best-of-five matches under the high-pressure Fearless Draft format, every game is a proving ground. And now, with Cloud9’s support, Conviction isn’t just surviving the playoffs—they’re aiming to make a statement.
You can feel the energy from the players, too. In a post that radiated pride and anticipation, Conviction wrote:
“Thrilled to partner with Cloud9 for the rest of 2025! We’re excited for the opportunities ahead and can’t wait to see what we’ll build together.”
It’s more than a tweet—it’s a glimpse into a team that's hungry, hopeful, and ready to grow.
Let’s talk about this roster, because it’s a group worth getting to know:
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Chris ‘Horder’ Feng, holding the top lane with poise and power,
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James ‘Kisno’ Woo, a jungle playmaker with fearless instincts,
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Isaac ‘DARKWINGS’ Chou, who brings fire and finesse to the mid lane,
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Aaron ‘Chrome’ Li, a steady force in the bot lane,
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and Daniel ‘Minui’ Zhang Mingshui, whose support play ties it all together.
They’re led by Head Coach Samuel ‘boc’ Boudrie, who’s not just a coach but a believer in what this team can become. Reflecting on the partnership, he shared his gratitude to Cloud9 for recognizing the potential in this squad and stepping in to support their journey.
This roster was recently picked up from Tempest Gaming, but they’ve already started to carve out an identity—gritty, determined, and full of promise.
And it’s not just Conviction making moves. Cloud9 Kia has been busy too. They kicked off the year with a major naming rights partnership with Kia America, and have since expanded into new titles like Rainbow Six Siege while also reigniting their presence in classics like Call of Duty. They’re not just growing—they’re evolving.
With this new partnership, both organizations are making it clear: success isn’t just about trophies—it’s about nurturing the future of esports, one player and one game at a time.
So as the 2025 season unfolds, keep an eye on Conviction. With Cloud9 in their corner, they’re not just challengers—they’re contenders, dreamers, and perhaps, tomorrow’s legends.