Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club, better known simply as Wolves, are on a historic run in the Premier League. They’ve gained two points from 15 games and are on course to be one of the worst teams to ever grace the league. And, at fan protests in December, several critics had some stern words for Wolves’ esports efforts.

Wolves have been in esports for several years now, starting slow before now running popular and strong teams in games like Valorant, Honor of Kings, PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, and more.

Wolves, as a football club, however, has a much deeper history. The club was founded in 1877 as St. Luke’s FC, became one of the founding members of the football league in 1888, and have played at their Molineux Stadium since 1889.

They’ve won multiple league titles and FA Cups, and have experienced all the highs and lows that the beautiful game has to offer. Right now, though, after years of flirting with European competition and being a Premier League mainstay, they’re looking very likely to be relegated to the Championship, England’s second division.

Wolves Fans Slam Esports Investment

Things have slowed down for Wolves in recent years, following their acquisition by new owners in 2016. Since then, they have been owned by the Chinese conglomerate Fosun International, alongside executive director Jeff Shi, both of whom fans are furious with.

Ahead of (and during) Wolves’ match against Manchester United on December 8 – which they lost 1-4 while playing at home – fans led a protest against their ownership, and were chanting against Shi, Fosun, and, according to The Athletic reporter Tim Spiers, esports.

Loyal Wolves fans protesting against the club's ownership outside the stadium after tonight's match against Man United kicked off.

They were singing about Jeff Shi and Fosun. And Esports. They want change. pic.twitter.com/ASJt85jNjz

— Tim Spiers (@TimSpiers) December 8, 2025

In fact, if you look across social media, you’ll see a lot of anti-esports sentiment from Wolves fans.

“Please make sure you tell the b**tards Wolves Esports to f**k off,” one angry fan has said. “They are our colours & our badge, they do not to belong to a bunch of spotty kids playing Shi-it the Hedgehog whilst waiting for puberty.”

If you are a #wolves #wwfc, please make sure you tell the bastards Wolves Esports to Fuck off.

They are our colours & our badge, they do not belong a bunch of spotty kids playing Shi-it the Hedgehog whilst waiting for puberty.

Make sure these scumbags know how we feel. pic.twitter.com/x5IeSrXIdx

— Bones Ⓥ (@bonesjones) November 24, 2025

For more fun reading, just look at the replies any time Wolves mention esports on their main social media accounts.

Why Are They Angry About Esports?

Wolves fans are frustrated with the club’s esports ties because they believe that the investment in gaming is coming at the cost of investing in the club’s football endeavors.

While figures aren’t available on exactly how much Fosun International invests in esports versus the men’s football team, the club has taken a consistent loss since 2016.

The money Fosun are throwing at Wolves FC esports, I’m convinced they are running the football club into the ground deliberately. This is another Sheffield Wednesday scenario in my opinion #fosunout #wwfc

— Kevin T (@notsouniquename) November 30, 2025

According to The Swiss Ramble, which analyses the business of football, “the club has lost money six years out of eight, including a hefty £128m in the last three seasons alone.”

This is despite selling some of the team’s most promising players for hefty fees, including Matheus Cunha, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Ruben Neves, Matheus Nunes, Pedro Neto, and many more, all within the last two years alone.

However, their esports operations have also taken on significant external investment, including multiple millions of dollars from the Chongqing Green Development Group, to accelerate the club’s competitive infrastructure and digital ecosystem.

However, they have clearly had a growth strategy to use Wolves to help leverage growth for their other brands in China, including their esports investments. That said, it’s impossible to comfortably say their esports work is a detriment to the club’s on-pitch progress, or lack thereof.