Ibai reportedly preparing to exit Infinite Reality owned esports team KOI
Emerging reports allege that streamer and esports entrepreneur Ibai Llanos is gearing up to part ways with Infinite Reality, the parent company of KOI and the Carolina Royal Ravens.
In collaboration with his business partner and former Barcelona footballer Gerard Piqué, Llanos made significant strides in the industry and is now rumoured to be approaching a new venture.
Ibai’s presence opened several doors
The news of Ibai Llanos' reported imminent departure (via Sheep Esports) from Infinite Reality signifies a turning point, especially considering his role in expanding KOI's influence within the esports industry.
Last year, the organisation reportedly made a notable acquisition of a 60% share in Rogue's LEC slot for an estimated $20 million, firmly positioning KOI in the League of Legends European Championship.
The organisation passed Riot Games quality check a second time, also receiving a slot in the VALORANT Champions Tour partnership program in the EMEA region.
Parent company Infinite Reality is also present in other franchised esports such as the Call of Duty League with its team Carolina Royal Ravens. Moreover, KOI fields teams in other esports such as Rocket League, Rainbow 6 Siege, and more.
Future plans in the making
As Ibai plans his exit from Infinite Reality, speculation mounts over the scale and direction of the upcoming initiatives. Given their track record, the forthcoming project is poised to be a significant undertaking though no direction has been disclosed at this point in time.
The departure of Ibai from Infinite Reality heralds not just a new chapter for them but could also indicate a shift in the content creation paradigm and esports team management.
Over the last couple of years, several influencers and content creators in esports adjacent industries such as general gaming and Twitch streaming have taken an interest in the industry, establishing esports brands on their own or partnering with established ones for mutually beneficial deals.
Ibai’s alleged departure from KOI would likely impact the brand of the organisation significantly, impacting the attention that the organisation would likely receive from fans and sponsors alike.
Neither KOI nor Ibai have given an official statement on the report at this time.
