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| | image = PandaHD.png | | | image = PandaHD.png |
| | location = United States {{Flag|USA}} | | | location = United States {{Flag|USA}} |
| | owners = David Wu ({{Sm|Mashumaro}}) | | | owners = Alan Bunney ({{Sm|SamuraiPanda}})<br>David Wu ({{Sm|Mashumaro}}) |
| | manager = | | | 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] | | | sponsors = [https://www.hyperxgaming.com/en HyperX]<br>[https://www.geico.com/ GEICO]<br>[http://vertagear.com Vertagear]<br>[https://www.twitch.tv/ Twitch]<br>[https://www.zippo.com/ Zippo]<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'' | | | 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''', formerly '''Panda Global''' ('''PG'''), is 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 eSports scenes they participate in. |
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| 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. | | Panda entered the world of ''Smash'' on June 24th, 2015 with the sponsorship of Florida ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' and ''[[Smash 4]]'' top players {{Sm|ESAM}} and {{Sm|MVD}} as well as {{SSB4|Villager}} main {{Sm|SS|p=Arizona}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/smashbros/comments/3b7nhd/esam_and_mvd_have_officially_signed_with_new/|title=ESAM and MVD have officially signed with new esports team Panda Gaming!}}</ref>. On June 30th, Panda took their first step in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' by signing Florida-based {{SSBM|Sheik}} player {{Sm|Plup}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/pg_plup/status/615981769058316288|title=Plup joins Panda}}</ref>. On November 2nd, Panda signed the [[EVO 2013]] ''Melee'' runner-up {{Sm|Wobbles}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/pandaglobalpg/status/661343133712674816|title=Panda signs Wobbles}}</ref>. On June 22nd, 2016, they picked up {{SSB4|Ryu}} main {{Sm|Trela}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/16421839/panda-global-signs-trela-compete-team-banner-ceo|title=Panda signs Trela, will compete under team banner at CEO}}</ref>. On June 30th, {{Sm|Alpharad}} joined the team as their content director<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/pandaglobalpg/status/748646569436602368|title=Alpharad joins Panda}}</ref>. |
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| 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 May 7th, 2016, Panda picked up {{Sm|Dom|p=Tri-state}}, {{Sm|Zan}}, and {{Sm|suar}} as a newly-formed subteam called '''PG Stats''' which specialises in ''Smash 4'' statistics<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/smashbros/comments/4ibrb5/panda_global_announces_new_smash_4_stats_team/|title=Panda announces new Smash 4 stats team}}</ref>. They are responsible for the [[Panda Global Rankings]], a biannual list that ranks the Top 50 ''Smash 4'' players in the world. {{Sm|Tetra}}, {{Sm|juddy}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/PandaGlobalPG/status/738452493936558081|title=juddy and Tetra join PG Stats}}</ref>, {{Sm|Giant}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/ThePGstats/status/799378123833929728|title=Giant joins PG Stats as Lead Systems Engineer!}}</ref>, and {{Sm|Spike}} were later added to the PG Stats team, although Tetra and juddy later left. |
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| 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.
| | In January 2017, following SS and Trela's departure from the organization, Panda added SoCal's best {{SSB4|Mewtwo}} main {{Sm|Rich Brown}} to their ''Smash 4'' team and expanded into ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' by picking up {{Sm|SuPeRbOoMfAn}}, the best player in North America and second best player in the world according to the [[64 League Rankings]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/18493165/panda-global-signs-superboomfan-rich-brown|title=Panda signs SuPeRbOoMfAn and Rich Brown}}</ref>. On April 12th, 2018, Panda added MD/VA's best player {{Sm|Zain}} to their ''Melee'' team<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/PandaGlobal/status/984521696957870080|title=Welcome to the Plup Club: Zain joins Panda!}}</ref>. On July 26th, 2018, Panda added {{SSB4|Corrin}} main {{Sm|Cosmos}} to their ''Smash 4'' team<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/PandaGlobal/status/1022572682989199366|title=Introducing Panda's newest member, Cosmos!!}}</ref>. |
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| 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> | | On November 18th, 2021, Panda announced that they have partnered 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>. On May 26th, 2022, the circuit was officially announced as the {{Trn|Panda Cup}}.<ref>[https://www.panda.gg/news/panda-cup-announcement Panda Cup announcement]</ref> It will take place in June 24th-December 18th, 2022 and the featured games are ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. |
| | |
| ==Current smashers==
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| {{out of date|November 2023|Most staff left, though we don't have any information about those}}
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| *{{Sm|Juggleguy|USA|c1=Captain Falcon|g=SSBM}}
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| *{{Sm|BOAT|USA|c1=Toon Link|g=SSBU}} (Merchandise coordinator)
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| ==Former smashers==
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| ===Pro smashers===
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| {|class="wikitable sortable"
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| !
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| !ID
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| !Name
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| !Game
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| !Main(s)
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| !Join Date
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| !Leave Date
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| |-
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| |{{flag|United States}}
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| |{{Sm|SS}}
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| |Shane Bruce
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| |''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U''
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| |{{head|Villager|g=SSB4|s=24px}}{{head|Ness|g=SSB4|s=24px}}
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| |2015-06-24
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| |2017-01-02
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| |-
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| |{{flag|United States}}
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| |{{Sm|Trela}}
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| |Alberto Miliziano
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| |''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''<br>''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U''
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| |{{head|Lucario|g=SSBB|s=24px}}<br>{{head|Ryu|g=SSB4|s=24px}}
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| |2016-06-22
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| |2017-01-02
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| |-
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| |{{flag|United States}}
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| |{{Sm|Rich Brown}}
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| |Rich Brown
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| |''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'' <br> ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U''
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| |{{head|Olimar|g=SSBB|s=24px}} <br> {{head|Mewtwo|g=SSB4|s=24px}}
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| |2017-01-17
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| |2017-10-17
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| |-
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| |{{flag|United States}}
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| |{{Sm|MVD}}
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| |Jestise Negron
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| |''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''<br>''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U''<br>''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''
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| |{{head|Snake|g=SSBB|s=24px}}<br>{{head|Diddy Kong|g=SSB4|s=24px}}<br>{{head|Snake|g=SSBU|s=24px}}
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| |2015-06-24
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| |2019-01-04
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| |-
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| |{{flag|United States}}
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| |{{Sm|Wobbles}}
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| |Robert Wright
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| |''Super Smash Bros. Melee''
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| |{{head|Ice Climbers|g=SSBM|s=24px}}
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| |2015-11-02
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| |2019-01-04
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| |-
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| |{{flag|United States}}
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| |{{Sm|Zain}}
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| |Zain Naghmi
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| |''Super Smash Bros. Melee''
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| |{{head|Marth|g=SSBM|s=24px}}
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| |2018-04-12
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| |2019-08-11
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| |-
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| |{{flag|United States}}
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| |{{Sm|Cosmos}}
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| |Brian Kalu
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| |''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U''<br>''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''
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| |{{head|Corrin|g=SSB4|s=24px}}<br>{{head|Inkling|g=SSBU|s=24px}}
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| |2018-07-26
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| |2019-08-11
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| |-
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| |{{flag|Canada}}
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| |{{Sm|SuPeRbOoMfAn}}
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| |Daniel Hoyt
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| |''Super Smash Bros.''
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| |{{head|Captain Falcon|g=SSB|s=20px}} {{head|Pikachu|g=SSB|s=20px}} {{head|Kirby|g=SSB|s=20px}}
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| |2017-01-17
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| |2020-07-08
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| |-
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| |{{flag|Japan}}
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| |{{Sm|Prince}}
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| |''Unknown name''
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| |''Super Smash Bros.''
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| |{{head|Yoshi|g=SSB|s=20px}}
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| |2019-07-19
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| |2021-07-16
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| |-
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| |{{flag|United States}}
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| |{{Sm|Plup}}
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| |Justin McGrath
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| |''Super Smash Bros. Melee''<br>''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U''<br>''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''
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| |{{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}}
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| |2015-06-30
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| |2022-12-02
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| |-
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| |{{flag|USA}}
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| |{{Sm|iBDW}}
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| |Cody Schwab
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| |''Super Smash Bros. Melee''
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| |{{head|Fox|g=SSBM|s=24px}}
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| |2020-05-05
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| |2022-12-02
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| |-
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| |{{flag|USA}}
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| |{{Sm|WaDi}}
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| |Chris Boston
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| |''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''
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| |{{head|ROB|g=SSBU|s=24px}}{{head|Mewtwo|g=SSBU|s=24px}}
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| |2021-04-02
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| |2022-12-02
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| |-
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| |{{flag|United States}}
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| |{{Sm|ESAM}}
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| |Eric Lew
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| |''Super Smash Bros. Melee''<br>''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U''<br>''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''
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| |{{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}}
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| |2015-06-24
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| |2023-01-15
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| |-
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| |{{flag|United States}}
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| |{{Sm|Marss}}
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| |Tyler Martins
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| |''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''
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| |{{head|Zero Suit Samus|g=SSBU|s=24px}}
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| |2019-03-22
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| |2023-01-16
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| |}
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| ===Other smashers===
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| *{{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)
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| *{{Sm|Bear|USA|c1=Bowser|g=SSB4}} (Team manager, tournament director, FGC manager)
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| *{{Sm|suar|USA|c1=Sheik|g=SSB4}} (PG Stats director, joined May 7th, 2016)
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| *{{Sm|Zan|USA|c1=Toon Link|g=SSB4}} (PG Stats analyst, joined May 7th, 2016)
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| *{{Sm|Tetra|France|c1=Captain Falcon|c2=Bowser|g=SSB4}} (PG Stats, joined June 2nd, 2016)
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| *{{Sm|juddy|Canada}} (PG Stats statistician, joined June 2nd, 2016)
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| *{{Sm|Stimpy|UK|c1=Roy|g=SSBU}} (Actor Asa Butterfield, content creator)
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| *{{Sm|FullStream|USA|c1=Inkling|g=SSBU}} (''Rivals of Aether'' player)
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| *{{Sm|Chia|USA|c1=R.O.B.|g=SSBU}} (Joined May 5th, 2020)
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| *{{Sm|Simply|USA|c1=Marth|g=SSBM}} (''Mario 64'' speedrunner, content creator)
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| *{{Sm|Tantalus|USA}} (PG Tournament Organizer)
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| *{{Sm|turndownforwalt|USA|c1=Mario|g=SSBM}} (Content creator)
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| *{{Sm|BobbyWasabi|USA|c1=Villager|g=SSBU}} (Video editor)
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| *{{Sm|VikkiKitty|c1=Corrin|c2=Kirby|g=SSBU|USA}} (Commentator, content creator)
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| *{{Sm|TKbreezy|c1=Wii Fit Trainer|g=SSBU|USA}} (Commentator, content creator)
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| *{{Sm|Coney|USA|c1=Banjo & Kazooie|g=SSBU}} (Creative Lead, commentator)
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| *{{Sm|PracticalTAS|Canada}} (PGstats mathematician)
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| *{{Sm|Daramgaria|c1=Ness|c2=King Dedede|g=SSBU|USA}} (Commentator, content creator)
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| *{{Sm|Jackie Peanuts|c1=Dr. Mario|g=SSBU|USA}} (PGstats director)
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| *{{Sm|Brentos|c1=Peach|g=SSBM|USA}} (PGstats Melee Content Writer)
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| *{{Sm|Jut|USA|c1=Incineroar|g=SSBU}} (Social media manager)
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| *{{Sm|Jaaahsh|USA|c1=R.O.B.|g=SSBU}} (Community organizer, player manager)
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| *{{Sm|Little Z|Australia|c1=Wario|g=SSBU}} (Content creator)
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| *{{Sm|KingKirb64|USA|c1=Kirby|g=SSBU}} (PG Hardware Engineer)
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| *{{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>)
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| *{{Sm|Spike|USA}} (PGstats designer)
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| *{{Sm|Dom|USA|c1=Villager|c2=Sheik|g=SSB4|p=Tri-state}} (PGstats writer, joined May 7th, 2016)
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| *{{Sm|fyazko|USA}} (content creator, joined June 2nd, 2016)
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| *{{Sm|Keith|USA}} (lead graphics artist, project manager)
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| *{{Sm|PSI|USA|c1=Lucas|g=SSBU}}{{Head|Young Link|g=SSBU|s=20px}} (graphics artist)
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| ==Other famous players==
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| *Justin Wong (JWong) <small>''FGC''</small>
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| *Kyohei Lehr (MarlinPie) <small>''GGXrd''</small>
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| *Alexandre Dub-Bilodeau (Hayatei) <small>''MK11''</small>
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| *Bryant Benzing (Kitana Prime) <small>''MK11''</small>
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| *Jachin Harte (SKD) <small>''BBCF'', ''BBTag''</small>
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| *Stephen Stafford (Speedkicks) <small>''Tekken 7''</small>
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| *Evan Towne (Rocketek) <small>''Splatoon''</small>
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| *Derek Bruscas (Nakkiel) <small>''Dragon Ball FighterZ''</small>
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| *Victor Woodley (Punk) <small>''SF5''</small>
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| *Keenan Kizzie (Kizzie Kay) <small>''GGXrd'', ''SamSho19''</small>
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| *Faye Mata <small>''Voice Actor''</small>
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| *Anna Cramling <small>''Chess''</small>
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| *Wolfe Glick (WolfeyVGC) <small>''Pokémon''</small>
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| ==PG Key==
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| '''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.
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| {|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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| !Tournament!!Date!!Entrants!!Winner!!Runner-up
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| |-
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| |[[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>
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| |-
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| |[[PG Key to GENESIS 4]]||January 1st-5th, 2017||986||{{Sm|Cosmos|USA}}*||{{Sm|Wrath|USA}}*
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| |[[PG Key to Frostbite 2017]]||February 12th-17th, 2017||740||{{Sm|Cosmos|USA}}*||{{Sm|Zage|USA}}
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| |-
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| |[[PG Key to 2GGC: Civil War]]||March 5th-8th, 2017||620||{{Sm|Sonido|USA}}||{{Sm|CaptainZack|USA}}
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| |-
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| |[[PG Key to Midwest Mayhem 8]]||March 18th-30th, 2017||450||{{Sm|Sonix|Dominican Republic}}*||{{Sm|lapis lazuli|USA}}*
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| |}
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| {{*}}Cosmos and Wrath were both unable to attend, so the key was passed down to the 3rd place finisher, {{Sm|Koolaid}}.<br>
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| {{*}}Cosmos was unable to attend, so the key was passed down to the runner-up, Zage.<br>
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| {{*}}Sonix and lapis lazuli both declined their keys, so it was passed down to the 3rd place finisher, {{Sm|Locus}}.
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| ==Gallery==
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| <gallery>
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| Panda Global.png|Panda's former logo.
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| </gallery>
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| ==References== | | ==References== |
| {{reflist}} | | {{reflist}} |
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| ==External links==
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| *[http://panda.gg/ Official website]
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| *[https://www.pgstats.com/ PGstats website]
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| *[https://twitter.com/PandaGlobal Twitter account]
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| *[https://twitter.com/pgstats PGstats.com Twitter account]
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| *[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfwmyQcCzyJNwvySFaGLdpg YouTube channel]
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| *[https://www.twitch.tv/pandaglobal Twitch channel]
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| *[http://wiki.teamliquid.net/smash/Panda_Global_Gaming Panda entry at the ''Smash'' Liquipedia section]
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| ==References== | | ==References== |