Dominique McLean

Dominique McLean, better known as his pseudonym Sonic Fox, is the highest-earning fighting video games player ever. A world record holder, professional gamer and LGBTQ+ rights advocateM, McLean is not only exceptionally talented but humble and generous with their time and winnings.

As a professional gamer, McLean is praised for their ability to quickly pick up any fighting games and play them expertly. Domonique Mclean’s most successful games include Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat and Dragon Ball FighterZ. After attending their first Fighting Game Tournament aged thirteen it became apparent that McLean would dominate the scene going forward, dressed in their signature blue furry costume. In 2014 McLean became one of the first people to win two Netherrealms Fighter Tournaments at a major event, from there they continued their success and qualified as the five-times EVO Champion between 2014 and 2019.

For their undeniable gift in gaming Mclean has been recognised by the eSports community, and in 2018 McLean was awarded the ESports Player of the Year Award at the Game Awards. In 2019 a popular eSports YouTube channel ‘theScore’ produced a thirty-minute video titled ‘The Furry Who Beat Everyone’ about McLean’s career and highlighting their inspirational achievements. Ahead of 2020, Forbes has listed Dominique McLean on their gaming ‘30 Under 30’ that honors people that are leading technological industries of the future.

Being an openly nonbinary person, McLean chose to use their platform to raise funds for The Trevor Project, which focuses on suicide prevention in the LGBTQ+ community. Through completing a 72-hour marathon live stream, McLean raised over $22,000 for the project and invaluable awareness. Furthermore, for McLean, being generous in victory is important and they also donated $10,000 of prize money to a competitor family for medical costs.

McLean is a role model to all, as they always show exemplary sportsmanship, have worked hard to be the highest-earning fighter games player and support charities and communities. Above all McLean is famed in eSports for putting their passion and enjoyment of gaming above the competition. As a speaker, McLean is open and positive, inspiring audiences with their personal story of overcoming adversity as an eSports star.