With the massive rise of the popularity for esports, prizes for tournmanets have quickly rose from mere thousands of dollars to now millions for the biggest events. The winningest players in any esports title are living very good lives, as they have collected their fair share of prize money over the years. While Overwatch has not been the most lucrative esport title, until now with the Overwatch League, top players have been able to take home a significant amount of money for their careers. Here are the top five Overwatch players who have earned the most prize money.
5. Christian "cocco" Jonsson
A tank player for the Dallas Fuel, cocco has seen his fair share of success in the world of professional Overwatch. This has culminated in the player having earned a total of $46,406.99 in prize money from 40 tournaments. 2016 was the player's most lucrative year by far, as cocco earned $37,324.23 from 36 tournaments. He saw a signigicant dropn from 2016 to 2017, as he only earned $9,082.76 in 2017, but this is due to him only playing in four tournaments in that year. The Dallas Fuel will be looking to add to cocco's checkbook, as he works to help the team become a top tier squad.
4. Jonathan "HarryHook" Rua
HarryHook currently sits in fourth place for most prize money earned, as he has collected $47,906.99 from 41 tournaments. A part of the former Team EnVyUs team that dominated professional Overwatch in its infancy, HarryHook has won his fair share of events to collect his earnings. Such as his former EnVyUs teammate and current Dallas Fuel teammate cocco, HarryHook grabbed the majority of his total earnings in 2016 with $37,324.23 from 36 tournaments. 2017 saw him take home $10,582.76 from 5 tournaments.
3. Timo "Taimou" Kettunen
Another former Team EnVyUs and current Dallas Fuel player makes their way onto the list with Taimou. The talented DPS player has taken home a total of $49,098.45 from 33 tournaments. 2016 saw Taimou collect $38,515.69 from 28 tournaments, while he would earn $10,528.76 in 2017. Looking to secure some of the Overwatch League stage playoff bonuses and the grand prize for Season 1, Taimou is determined to help the Dallas Fuel collect even more prize money.
2. Sebastian "chipshajen" Widlund
Making his way onto the second spot of the players with the most prize money earned, chipshajen is the fourth former Team EnVyUs and current Dallas Fuel player to be in the top five. The support player has earned a total of $51,840.32 from 45 tournaments played. 2016 was chipshajen's most proftable year, as he earned $37,324.23 from 36 tournaments. 2017 would have him collect $12,082.76 from six tournaments. The Swedish player will be looking to add to his total earnings with his spot on the Dallas Fuel.
1. Je-Hong "ryujehong" Ryu
The first non Team EnVyUs/Dallas Fuel player to make the list, ryujehong is the player wiith the most prize money earned in professional Overwatch. The talented support player for the Seoul Dynasty has earned a total of $52,546 from only 13 tournaments played. 2017 was ryujehong's highest earning year with $39,708.29 from eight tournaments. 2016 saw him earn $12, 838.58 from five tournaments played. With his play helping Seoul Dynasty become one of the very best teams in the Overwatch League, ryujehong will be looking to add even more green to his pockets.
Talent and hard work brought these five players to being highly successful at the game they love, and the ability to make it a career that could support them. With the Overwatch League in full swing, do not be surprised to see these five players continue to add their already impressive earnings.
(All figures shown were collected from esportsearnings)
Interested in more Overwatch League content? Check out our updated story on Seoul Dynasty's newest player.
