FTW with Imad Khan: An Esports and Competitive Gaming Podcast

For the final episode of FTW with Imad Khan, Cale Michael returns to the show one last time to discuss Street Fighter VI, Mortal Kombat's semi-reboot and Tekken 8 impressions.

LCS viewership saw a steady decline in viewership throughout the Spring Split. Average viewership was at 109,000 or 14.8 million hours watched. That's down 22% from the summer of 2022. Jordan Fragen of GamesBeat joins the podcast to discuss.

CLG has officially been acquired by NRG, with only its League roster staying afloat. Digiday's Alex Lee returns to the podcast to discuss.

Valve announced Counter-Strike 2, a free follow-up to the incredibly popular Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, or CS:GO. Along with graphical overhauls, Valve is making some technical changes in CS2. To discuss the major changes coming to Counter-Strike, as well as how the esports community has been reacting, is Dot Esports reporter Mateusz Miter.

Beyond the Summit, an esports event organizer, laid off its entire staff. The company is known for putting on intimate invite-only tournaments in Super Smash Bros., DotA and other games. The format allowed for a looser atmosphere where pro players could entertain audiences in other ways. This comes as other esports teams and companies have began dropping players or selling their positions in leagues. To discuss is Dot Esports reporter Cale Michael.

Jacob Wolf reported earlier this month that Overwatch League teams have come together to collectively bargain with publisher Activision Blizzard. Teams are looking for economic relief after high costs and low payments from the league. To discuss is gaming and esports attorney Justin Jacobson.

Last week, Jiseok Lee of South Korea won the Pokémon VGC San Diego Regional, netting himself $3,000 in prize money. He used an unorthodox tactic to defeat his opponent 8-2. To explain the competitive Pokémon video game is freelance reporter Yash Nair.

Last month, cryptocurrency exchange FTX went bust. Owner Sam-Bankman Fried, and his friends, misused customer money in risky investments. The crash of FTX sent the crypto market spiraling downward. FTX was also a major sponsor in traditional sports and esports, like when it signed a naming rights deal with TSM and changed the name to TSM FTX in a $210 million deal. To talk about the impact of FTX's collapse is Jason Chung, director and esports business professor at NYU's Tisch Institute for Global Sport.

Nintendo abruptly shut down the Smash World Tour weeks before the finals were to take place. In a long statement, VGBC, the company behind the tour, said Nintendo refused to approve broadcast licensing for the tournament and accused esports organization Panda Global of conspiring against the Smash World Tour behind the scenes. Connor Richards of Odin Law and Media brings his legal perspective.

League of Legends free agency is happening right now and reports are surfacing of Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok fielding offers from North American teams. Also, it seems that Doublelift and Bjergsen are reuniting at 100 Thieves. To discuss is Dot Esports League of Legends reporter Michael Kelly.