Despite being the most successful team in Vietnam with 7 VCS championships, GAM Esports has at times fallen out of favor with many fans. The reason was not related to professional issues but stemmed from numerous scandals regarding how the management treated some of their players.
However, since the change in ownership, everything has changed dramatically. Specifically, with the arrival of TK Nguyen, the black and yellow team has undergone a spectacular transformation, continuously achieving various accomplishments in a short period.
This success began with pivotal changes. The most significant difference that TK Nguyen made was the completely new face of the leadership team. While the previous owners only appeared in the form of “rumors,” directing from behind the scenes without addressing public concerns, TK Nguyen chose a transparent and clear approach.
Wherever GAM appears, TK Nguyen is there. From major promotional events to the stadium, the 35-year-old owner has transformed himself into the sixth player, continuously inspiring his teammates and readily engaging with reporters. On social media, TK is just as active, frequently posting daily images of the players, interacting, and answering questions from fans.
Under TK Nguyen’s leadership, GAM has also changed significantly in content creation. They have launched exciting series focusing on the behind-the-scenes of the players. Additionally, the team has proactively organized offline events in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to help fans interact directly with the players, garnering enthusiastic responses from the community.
In the campaign for visas to attend the CKTG 2022, TK Nguyen played a vital role.
In the past three years since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out globally, League of Legends Vietnam has been heavily impacted. The top teams in VCS could not participate in tournaments organized by Riot Games for various unavoidable reasons. By the time the pandemic eased, the visa application process became a new nightmare. In 2021, GAM Esports had to watch the CKTG from home due to visa issues. This was a significant regret considering the team was regarded as having the strongest roster in the history of Vietnamese League of Legends.
To prevent a similar situation from happening again, TK did everything possible. With his experience and connections, the 35-year-old CEO guided the players from A to Z, from fashion style, maintaining confidence, to how to answer interview questions in a way that appeals to the interviewer. Simultaneously, he continuously updated the situation on his personal page to reassure fans.
The efforts of TK alongside the GAM team ultimately bore fruit. On September 22, 80% of the team members obtained visas to the United States.
In addition to the aforementioned achievements, TK Nguyen was also fortunate to buy GAM at a crucial time. In 2022, Vietnam became the host of the SEA Games, with League of Legends included as a medal event. This was an unparalleled opportunity for esports players to bring glory to the nation, and both GAM and TK did not let it slip away.
While GAM excelled in the qualifiers against other Vietnamese teams, the skill gap in the Southeast Asian region was even larger. Therefore, the Gold Medal naturally belonged to Levi and his teammates. The moment they stood on the podium to receive their medals showcased the significance of this title for the members of GAM Esports.
For TK Nguyen personally, that medal holds even greater meaning. When he first acquired GAM, this CEO revealed his vision that GAM would be a stepping stone to help esports gain more recognition and support in Vietnam. The impressions left by the black and yellow team at the recent SEA Games show that TK’s goal is gradually becoming a reality.
It is evident that through much effort coupled with a bit of luck, TK Nguyen has rebuilt the image of GAM Esports and is gradually realizing his vision. His enthusiasm has made everyone forget a “ugly” period of the black and yellow team, replaced by the current positivity. In the future, we can trust that GAM will continue to grow under TK’s leadership. If fortunate, the right approach of this CEO could be replicated throughout the entire Vietnamese esports ecosystem, not just in League of Legends.
