TL;DR
- Cloud9 dominated Spring Split 2020 with 17-1 record before 3-0 finals sweep
- Trophy broke moments after team celebration in their apartment instead of on stage
- CEO Jack Etienne laughed while players attempted repairs in viral moment
- Logistics questions emerged about why trophy was at gaming house pre-ceremony
- Incident highlighted unique challenges of esports during COVID-19 pandemic

Celebrating championship victories in residential settings presents entirely different emotional dynamics compared to traditional arena environments. The absence of roaring crowds and professional staging creates unexpected challenges for elite competitors accustomed to grand ceremonies.
Following their decisive victory over FlyQuest in the Spring Split 2020 championship match, Cloud9 secured their place as North America’s top League of Legends team. Their remarkable 17-1 regular season performance established them as overwhelming favorites, with opponents reportedly declining practice sessions against the dominant squad. Many teams acknowledged Cloud9’s competitive superiority by avoiding scrims entirely, recognizing the massive skill gap.
Despite most Cloud9 players expressing disappointment about missing the traditional stage experience with live audiences, their emotional response remained powerfully authentic when the clean 3-0 series concluded. Players immediately leaped from their gaming stations and gathered in a team room for exuberant celebration, embracing this historic achievement despite the unconventional circumstances.
Shortly after the match concluded, Cloud9 CEO Jack Etienne entered the room carrying the prestigious LCS championship trophy. The team enthusiastically raised it overhead with cheers and smiles, but their triumphant moment proved unexpectedly brief.
Moments before disaster pic.twitter.com/KQQfLkbIlO
— Cloud9 vs COVID19 (@Cloud9) April 20, 2020
Within moments, Jesper “Zven” Svenningsen was captured on camera attempting to reassemble the broken trophy pieces. The contrasting reactions provided comedic gold: Etienne burst into laughter while teammates displayed visible distress and confusion about the unexpected turn of events.
Rival organization G2 Esports couldn’t resist questioning the incident publicly, tweeting “How?” in response to the viral footage. This moment perfectly encapsulated the surreal nature of esports during pandemic restrictions.

Several puzzling questions emerged from the incident: Why was the championship trophy already present at Cloud9’s gaming facility before the official presentation? Did FlyQuest maintain an identical backup trophy at their headquarters in case of victory? Additional inquiries concerned the trophy’s monetary value, replacement procedures, and insurance coverage for such prestigious esports awards.
The situation raises important considerations about remote production logistics during global disruptions. Traditional sports typically maintain strict control over trophy presentations, but esports organizations faced unprecedented challenges adapting ceremonies to distributed environments.
Answers to these logistical mysteries may emerge in subsequent weeks as the league addresses the unprecedented circumstances surrounding virtual championship events.
This incident provides valuable insights for esports organizations planning future remote events. Proper trophy handling protocols, celebration space preparation, and contingency planning become crucial when traditional stage ceremonies aren’t feasible.
Teams should designate specific handling procedures for prestigious awards in non-traditional settings. Establishing clear responsibility chains and conducting risk assessments for valuable trophies can prevent similar mishaps during virtual celebrations.
The Cloud9 trophy break represents both a hilarious moment in esports history and a learning opportunity for the entire industry about adapting traditions to unprecedented circumstances.
Action Checklist
- Inspect trophy structural integrity before any remote presentation
- Designate specific handlers with clear instructions for award transportation
- Prepare celebration space with adequate clearance and stable surfaces
- Establish emergency repair protocols for award damage during celebrations
- Document incident response procedures for future virtual events
No reproduction without permission:Game Guides Online » Cloud9 break LCS trophy after LCS Spring Split 2020 finals victory Cloud9's LCS trophy disaster reveals esports celebration challenges during pandemic isolation
