Gamers First Makes Strategic Staff Cuts

Gamers First, an Austin-based esports organization, implemented a series of strategic staff reductions in June 2023. The layoffs affected three specific roles: the executive assistant/manager, the director of event operations, and the general manager of esports/director of optimization. These personnel changes were framed by leadership as a necessary step to facilitate organizational scaling and the recruitment of new C-suite and vice president-level executives to oversee various business verticals.

Founded in December 2021 by former NFL player Kenny Vaccaro alongside Hunter Swensson and Cody Hendrix, Gamers First maintains a competitive presence in Halo, Rocket League, and Trackmania. The organization is also recognized for its acquisition of the Women’s Carball League in early 2023, a move intended to stabilize the professional circuit following financial difficulties experienced by its previous owner, the Kansas City Pioneers.

The restructuring reflects a broader effort by the organization to refine its leadership structure as it continues to manage its diverse portfolio of esports teams and content creator partnerships. By prioritizing high-level management appointments, the company aims to strengthen its operational oversight across its various business segments.