Editing Team:Panda

{{ArticleIcons|allgames=y|competitive=y}}
{{Infobox Team
| name       = Panda
| image      = PandaHD.png
| location   = United States {{Flag|USA}}
| owners     = David Wu ({{Sm|Mashumaro}})
| manager    = 
| sponsors   = [https://www.geico.com/ GEICO]<br>[http://vertagear.com Vertagear]<br>[https://www.twitch.tv/ Twitch]<br>[https://metathreads.com/ Meta Threads]<br>[https://ssd.toshiba-memory.com/en-amer/ Toshiba] <br>[https://www.funimation.com/subscribe/?irgwc=1&utm_campaign=302280&utm_medium=374389&utm_source=ImpactRadius Funimation]
| othergames =''Dragon Ball FighterZ''<br>''Guilty Gear Xrd''<br>''Hearthstone: Heroes of WarCraft''<br>''Heroes of the Storm''<br>''Marvel Vs. Capcom''<br>''Mortal Kombat''<br>''Splatoon''<br>''Street Fighter''<br>''TEKKEN''
}}
'''Panda''', formerly '''Panda Global''' ('''PG'''), was a professional eSports organization based in the United States. It was co-founded by Alan Bunney ({{Sm|SamuraiPanda}}) and David Wu ({{Sm|Mashumaro}}) in June 2015 as a player-centric organization looking to help their players' careers, facilitate their goals, and promote the growth of the players' esports scene. 

Panda entered the ''Smash'' scene on June 24th, 2015 after sponsoring top ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'' players {{Sm|ESAM}} and {{Sm|MVD}}, as well as {{Sm|SS|p=Arizona}}. Since then, the company signed a multitude of other players for ''Smash 4'', ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', ''[[Smash 64]]'', and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', as well as commentators, content creators, video editors, and statisticians, becoming one of the most prominent ''Smash'' organizations.

Aside from their competitive team, Panda had a division, known as PGStats, that handled tournament data, including running global power rankings for ''Smash 4'' ([[PGR]]), ''Melee'' ([[MPGR]]), and ''Ultimate'' ([[PGRU]]). The PGStats team also ran a website, PGStats.com, which acted as a player database and hub for ''Smash'' news. 

On November 18th, 2021, Panda announced a partnership with [[Nintendo]] to create the first officially-licensed North American competitive circuit.<ref>[https://www.panda.gg/news/panda-nintendo-circuit Announcement of partnership]</ref> This circuit was officially announced as the {{Trn|Panda Cup}} on May 26th, 2022, and was meant to take place from June 24th to December 18th of that year. However, due to Alan Bunney's role in the [[Cancellation of Smash World Tour 2022|Smash World Tour 2022 cancellation controversy]], the Panda Cup was boycotted, leading to its eventual cancellation. In the aftermath of the controversy, Panda paused all competitive and content activities, releasing its last player, {{Sm|Marss}}, on January 16th, 2023. Many employees left as well, leaving only nine members on the team, and Panda remained dormant until December 4th, where their Twitter account posted a link redirecting to a [https://www.panda.gg/ a webpage] that contained a merchandise section on unsold Panda Cup jackets and a single blog post informing the community of the team's current situation. 

On May 28th, 2024, a teaser was posted on Panda's Twitter account, where they displayed Morse code that translated to "NOT EXTINCT".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/PandaGlobal/status/1806764545375113258|title=Teaser}}</ref> Three days later, the team officially announced that they were in the process of restructuring.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/PandaGlobal/status/1807821548289503329|title=Panda's restructuring}}</ref>

==Current smashers==
{{out of date|November 2023|Most staff left, though we don't have any information about those}}
*{{Sm|Juggleguy|USA|c1=Captain Falcon|g=SSBM}}
*{{Sm|BOAT|USA|c1=Toon Link|g=SSBU}} (Merchandise coordinator)

==Former smashers==
===Pro smashers===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!
!ID
!Name
!Game
!Main(s)
!Join Date
!Leave Date
|-
|{{flag|United States}}
|{{Sm|SS}}
|Shane Bruce
|''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U''
|{{head|Villager|g=SSB4|s=24px}}{{head|Ness|g=SSB4|s=24px}}
|2015-06-24
|2017-01-02
|-
|{{flag|United States}}
|{{Sm|Trela}}
|Alberto Miliziano
|''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''<br>''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U''
|{{head|Lucario|g=SSBB|s=24px}}<br>{{head|Ryu|g=SSB4|s=24px}}
|2016-06-22
|2017-01-02
|-
|{{flag|United States}}
|{{Sm|Rich Brown}}
|Rich Brown
|''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'' <br> ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U''
|{{head|Olimar|g=SSBB|s=24px}} <br> {{head|Mewtwo|g=SSB4|s=24px}}
|2017-01-17
|2017-10-17
|-
|{{flag|United States}}
|{{Sm|MVD}}
|Jestise Negron
|''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''<br>''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U''<br>''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''
|{{head|Snake|g=SSBB|s=24px}}<br>{{head|Diddy Kong|g=SSB4|s=24px}}<br>{{head|Snake|g=SSBU|s=24px}}
|2015-06-24
|2019-01-04
|-
|{{flag|United States}}
|{{Sm|Wobbles}}
|Robert Wright
|''Super Smash Bros. Melee''
|{{head|Ice Climbers|g=SSBM|s=24px}}
|2015-11-02
|2019-01-04
|-
|{{flag|United States}}
|{{Sm|Zain}}
|Zain Naghmi
|''Super Smash Bros. Melee''
|{{head|Marth|g=SSBM|s=24px}}
|2018-04-12
|2019-08-11
|-
|{{flag|United States}}
|{{Sm|Cosmos}}
|Brian Kalu
|''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U''<br>''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''
|{{head|Corrin|g=SSB4|s=24px}}<br>{{head|Inkling|g=SSBU|s=24px}}
|2018-07-26
|2019-08-11
|-
|{{flag|Canada}}
|{{Sm|SuPeRbOoMfAn}}
|Daniel Hoyt
|''Super Smash Bros.''
|{{head|Captain Falcon|g=SSB|s=20px}} {{head|Pikachu|g=SSB|s=20px}} {{head|Kirby|g=SSB|s=20px}}
|2017-01-17
|2020-07-08
|-
|{{flag|Japan}}
|{{Sm|Prince}}
|''Unknown name''
|''Super Smash Bros.''
|{{head|Yoshi|g=SSB|s=20px}}
|2019-07-19
|2021-07-16
|-
|{{flag|United States}}
|{{Sm|Plup}}
|Justin McGrath
|''Super Smash Bros. Melee''<br>''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U''<br>''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''
|{{head|Sheik|g=SSBM|s=24px}}{{head|Fox|g=SSBM|s=24px}}{{head|Samus|g=SSBM|s=24px}}<br>{{head|Pikachu|g=SSB4|s=24px}}{{head|Rosalina & Luma|g=SSB4|s=24px}}<br>{{head|Mega Man|g=SSBU|s=24px}}{{head|Ridley|g=SSBU|s=24px}}{{head|Greninja|g=SSBU|s=24px}}
|2015-06-30
|2022-12-02
|-
|{{flag|USA}}
|{{Sm|iBDW}}
|Cody Schwab
|''Super Smash Bros. Melee''
|{{head|Fox|g=SSBM|s=24px}}
|2020-05-05
|2022-12-02
|-
|{{flag|USA}}
|{{Sm|WaDi}}
|Chris Boston
|''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''
|{{head|ROB|g=SSBU|s=24px}}{{head|Mewtwo|g=SSBU|s=24px}}
|2021-04-02
|2022-12-02
|-
|{{flag|United States}}
|{{Sm|ESAM}}
|Eric Lew
|''Super Smash Bros. Melee''<br>''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U''<br>''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''
|{{head|Samus|g=SSBM|s=24px}}<br>{{head|Pikachu|g=SSB4|s=24px}}{{head|Samus|g=SSB4|s=24px}}<br>{{head|Pikachu|g=SSBU|s=24px}}{{head|Mii Brawler|g=SSBU|s=24px}}
|2015-06-24
|2023-01-15
|-
|{{flag|United States}}
|{{Sm|Marss}}
|Tyler Martins
|''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''
|{{head|Zero Suit Samus|g=SSBU|s=24px}}
|2019-03-22
|2023-01-16
|}

===Other smashers===
*{{Sm|Alpharad|USA|c1=Mario|g=SSB4}}{{Head|Mario|g=SSBU|s=20px}}{{Head|Joker|g=SSBU|s=20px}} (content director, joined June 30th, 2016)
*{{Sm|Bear|USA|c1=Bowser|g=SSB4}} (Team manager, tournament director, FGC manager)
*{{Sm|suar|USA|c1=Sheik|g=SSB4}} (PG Stats director, joined May 7th, 2016)
*{{Sm|Zan|USA|c1=Toon Link|g=SSB4}} (PG Stats analyst, joined May 7th, 2016)
*{{Sm|Tetra|France|c1=Captain Falcon|c2=Bowser|g=SSB4}} (PG Stats, joined June 2nd, 2016)
*{{Sm|juddy|Canada}} (PG Stats statistician, joined June 2nd, 2016) 
*{{Sm|Stimpy|UK|c1=Roy|g=SSBU}} (Actor Asa Butterfield, content creator)
*{{Sm|FullStream|USA|c1=Inkling|g=SSBU}} (''Rivals of Aether'' player)
*{{Sm|Chia|USA|c1=R.O.B.|g=SSBU}} (Joined May 5th, 2020)
*{{Sm|Simply|USA|c1=Marth|g=SSBM}} (''Mario 64'' speedrunner, content creator)
*{{Sm|Tantalus|USA}} (PG Tournament Organizer)
*{{Sm|turndownforwalt|USA|c1=Mario|g=SSBM}} (Content creator)
*{{Sm|BobbyWasabi|USA|c1=Villager|g=SSBU}} (Video editor)
*{{Sm|VikkiKitty|c1=Corrin|c2=Kirby|g=SSBU|USA}} (Commentator, content creator)
*{{Sm|TKbreezy|c1=Wii Fit Trainer|g=SSBU|USA}} (Commentator, content creator)
*{{Sm|Coney|USA|c1=Banjo & Kazooie|g=SSBU}} (Creative Lead, commentator)
*{{Sm|PracticalTAS|Canada}} (PGstats mathematician)
*{{Sm|Daramgaria|c1=Ness|c2=King Dedede|g=SSBU|USA}} (Commentator, content creator)
*{{Sm|Jackie Peanuts|c1=Dr. Mario|g=SSBU|USA}} (PGstats director)
*{{Sm|Brentos|c1=Peach|g=SSBM|USA}} (PGstats Melee Content Writer)
*{{Sm|Jut|USA|c1=Incineroar|g=SSBU}} (Social media manager)
*{{Sm|Jaaahsh|USA|c1=R.O.B.|g=SSBU}} (Community organizer, player manager)
*{{Sm|Little Z|Australia|c1=Wario|g=SSBU}} (Content creator)
*{{Sm|KingKirb64|USA|c1=Kirby|g=SSBU}} (PG Hardware Engineer)
*{{Sm|Kantrip|Canada|c1=Diddy Kong|g=SSBU}} (Influencer; joined May 2020<ref>https://twitter.com/PandaGlobal/status/1257751153498087424] </ref>, left December 2022<ref>https://twitter.com/kongmunism/status/1599838305910423552?s=20</ref>)
*{{Sm|Spike|USA}} (PGstats designer)
*{{Sm|Dom|USA|c1=Villager|c2=Sheik|g=SSB4|p=Tri-state}} (PGstats writer, joined May 7th, 2016)
*{{Sm|fyazko|USA}} (content creator, joined June 2nd, 2016)
*{{Sm|Keith|USA}} (lead graphics artist, project manager)
*{{Sm|PSI|USA|c1=Lucas|g=SSBU}}{{Head|Young Link|g=SSBU|s=20px}} (graphics artist)

==Current smashers==
===Pro smashers===

===Other smashers===
*{{Sm|Alpharad|USA|c1=Mario|g=SSB4}}{{Head|Mario|g=SSBU|s=20px}}{{Head|Joker|g=SSBU|s=20px}} (content director, joined June 30th, 2016)
*{{Sm|Spike|USA}} (PGstats designer)
*{{Sm|Dom|USA|c1=Villager|c2=Sheik|g=SSB4|p=Tri-state}} (PGstats writer, joined May 7th, 2016)
*{{Sm|fyazko|USA}} (content creator, joined June 2nd, 2016)
*{{Sm|Keith|USA}} (lead graphics artist, project manager)
*{{Sm|PSI|USA|c1=Lucas|g=SSBU}}{{Head|Young Link|g=SSBU|s=20px}} (graphics artist)
*{{Sm|PracticalTAS|Canada}} (PGstats mathematician)
*{{Sm|Tantalus|USA}} (PG Tournament Organizer)
*{{Sm|Stimpy|UK|c1=Roy|g=SSBU}} (Actor Asa Butterfield, content creator)
*{{Sm|Coney|USA|c1=Banjo & Kazooie|g=SSBU}} (Creative Lead & Commentator)
*{{Sm|Kantrip|Canada|c1=Diddy Kong|g=SSBU}} (Influencer)
*{{Sm|Juggleguy|USA|c1=Captain Falcon|g=SSBM}}
*{{Sm|Little Z|Australia|c1=Wario|g=SSBU}}{{Head|Donkey Kong|g=SSBU|s=20px}} (Content creator)
*{{Sm|FullStream|USA|c1=Inkling|g=SSBU}} (''Rivals of Aether'' player)
*{{Sm|Jut|USA|c1=Incineroar|g=SSBU}} (Social media manager)
*{{Sm|BobbyWasabi|USA|c1=Villager|g=SSBU}} (Video editor)
*{{Sm|BOAT|USA|c1=Toon Link|g=SSBU}} (Merchandise coordinator)
*{{Sm|Jackie Peanuts|c1=Dr. Mario|g=SSBU|USA}} (PGstats director)

==Other famous players==
*Justin Wong (JWong) <small>''FGC''</small>
*Kyohei Lehr (MarlinPie) <small>''GGXrd''</small>
*Alexandre Dub-Bilodeau (Hayatei) <small>''MK11''</small>
*Bryant Benzing (Kitana Prime) <small>''MK11''</small>
*Jachin Harte (SKD) <small>''BBCF'', ''BBTag''</small>
*Stephen Stafford (Speedkicks) <small>''Tekken 7''</small>
*Evan Towne (Rocketek) <small>''Splatoon''</small>
*Derek Bruscas (Nakkiel) <small>''Dragon Ball FighterZ''</small>
*Victor Woodley (Punk) <small>''SF5''</small>
*Keenan Kizzie (Kizzie Kay) <small>''GGXrd'', ''SamSho19''</small>
*Faye Mata <small>''Voice Actor''</small>
*Anna Cramling <small>''Chess''</small>
*Wolfe Glick (WolfeyVGC) <small>''Pokémon''</small>

==PG Key==
'''PG Key''' was an online tournament series organized by PG and directed by {{Sm|Bear}}. Each entry was a qualifier dedicated to a major offline tournament, with the winner being flown out as an honorary player temporarily sponsored by the organization.

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Tournament!!Date!!Entrants!!Winner!!Runner-up
|-
|[[Key to The PG House]]||September 8th-18th, 2016||1994||{{Sm|Wrath|USA}} <small>NA</small><br>{{Sm|Mr.R|Netherlands}} <small>EU</small>||{{Sm|Raffi-X|USA}} <small>NA</small><br>{{Sm|Badr|Netherlands}} <small>EU</small>
|-
|[[PG Key to GENESIS 4]]||January 1st-5th, 2017||986||{{Sm|Cosmos|USA}}*||{{Sm|Wrath|USA}}*
|-
|[[PG Key to Frostbite 2017]]||February 12th-17th, 2017||740||{{Sm|Cosmos|USA}}*||{{Sm|Zage|USA}}
|-
|[[PG Key to 2GGC: Civil War]]||March 5th-8th, 2017||620||{{Sm|Sonido|USA}}||{{Sm|CaptainZack|USA}}
|-
|[[PG Key to Midwest Mayhem 8]]||March 18th-30th, 2017||450||{{Sm|Sonix|Dominican Republic}}*||{{Sm|lapis lazuli|USA}}*
|}
{{*}}Cosmos and Wrath were both unable to attend, so the key was passed down to the 3rd place finisher, {{Sm|Koolaid}}.<br>
{{*}}Cosmos was unable to attend, so the key was passed down to the runner-up, Zage.<br>
{{*}}Sonix and lapis lazuli both declined their keys, so it was passed down to the 3rd place finisher, {{Sm|Locus}}.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Panda Global.png|Panda's former logo.
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://panda.gg/ Official website]
*[https://www.pgstats.com/ PGstats website]
*[https://twitter.com/PandaGlobal Twitter account]
*[https://twitter.com/pgstats PGstats.com Twitter account]
*[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfwmyQcCzyJNwvySFaGLdpg YouTube channel]
*[https://www.twitch.tv/pandaglobal Twitch channel]
*[http://wiki.teamliquid.net/smash/Panda_Global_Gaming Panda entry at the ''Smash'' Liquipedia section]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:American sponsors]]
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