Sentinels complete $1.25M buyout for Cloud9 Valorant star TenZ

Alan Bernal
tenz sentinels cloud9 valorant

Cloud9 and Sentinels have completed the buyout process for Valorant Masters 2 MVP Tyson ‘TenZ’ Ngo, first reported by Esports Observer’s Kevin Hitt.


  • Sentinels buyout Cloud9’s reported $1.25 million fee for TenZ
  • Cloud9 loaned TenZ to Sentinels since March 11.
  • TenZ was the Grand Finals MVP at Masters 2.

Months after TenZ decided to step down from the Cloud9 Blue roster, Sentinels paid out the $1.25 million buyout clause detailed in the loan contract signed back in April, according to an Upcomer report with details of the transaction.

C9 was originally looking for $2 million transfer for TenZ, but settled on a loan valued at $250,000 to the Sentinels until the end of May, Upcomer reports.

TenZ has been vocal about wanting to stay on the Sentinels, but it wasn’t expected to happen without a major return for C9.

Cloud9 CEO Jack Etienne alluded to the imminent buyout after the Sentinels took the top spot in Valorant’s first LAN event, Masters 2.

TenZ, 20, has been seen as a major asset for the brand on and off the Valorant servers. TenZ originally filled in for disgraced Valorant pro Jay ‘sinatraa’ Won.

Cloud9 Jack dealt TenZ to Sentinels before Iceland

Explaining more about the deal, C9 Jack wished TenZ all the best on Sentinels after revealing that the deal was done before Masters 2.

“Hey to give some context this deal was done before Iceland,” Jack said in the Valorant Competitive Reddit. “It was a dangerous deal for us as we knew we would soon face Sentinels in the Iceland Qualifiers, however it was important to Tyson to play and I wanted to make it happen for him.”

Sentinels would later confirm the move, as the Masters 2 Championship squad will officially stay intact ahead of VCT Stage 3.

Sentinels official Valorant Roster:

  • Shahzeb ‘ShahZaM‘ Khan
  • Hunter ‘SicK‘ Mims
  • Jared ‘zombs‘ Gitlin
  • Michael ‘dapr‘ Gulino
  • Tyson ‘TenZ‘ Ngo

Discover more: TenZ: CSGO Dropout To VALORANT’s Biggest Star!

Sign up to Dexerto for free and receive:
Fewer Ads|Dark Mode|Deals in Gaming, TV and Movies, and Tech