Prominent CS:GO squads SK Gaming and Renegades have joined the World Esports Association, the organization announced Thursday.

The two are the first teams competing in NA to join the primarily European WESA.

"We have been looking for ways to partner with the leading organizations in order to both professionalize the industry, as well as grow our profile," SK Gaming CEO Alex Muller said in a statement. "We believe that the organization fits our strategic goals with the collection of teams within WESA. We look forward to working collectively with all of the other WESA members to take esports mainstream."

Renegades owner and Boston Celtics forward Jonas Jerebko echoed Muller's statement in the news release.

"The esports industry is evolving and the parallels to mainstream sports are becoming clearer. My experience in sports can positively impact Renegades and, in turn, the esports industry, and I firmly believe that WESA is the right association to help realize those goals"

Created in May as a partnership between ESL and eight European CS:GO teams, Fnatic, Ninjas in Pyjamas, Team EnVyUs, Virtus.pro, Natus Vincere, FaZe Clan, G2 Esports and mousesports, WESA entered the scene promising greater player representation, revenue-sharing and shared regulations.

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However, founding member FaZe Clan left the organization shortly after it went public, saying "right now it's not the best place for us to be" in a statement. In January, WESA also faced allegations from independent journalist Richard Lewis, who reported based on anonymous sources that the organization would force member teams to only participate in WESA-sanctioned events in 2018.

WESA commissioner Ken Hershman denied the allegations in a statement, saying that WESA teams would not be allowed to participate in other events during their ESL Pro League match days in 2017. However, he also said that any decisions beyond 2017 would be a "joint one by all WESA members, including the players."

“We’re thrilled that SK Gaming and Renegades have elected to add their esports brands to the growing collection of leading teams that comprise WESA,” Hershman said in a statement regarding Thursday's announcement.

“These teams will be a positive influence within WESA, and their contributions in the months and years ahead will be an important part of enhancing our collective vision for the organization.”

Sasha Erfanian is a news editor for theScore esports. Follow him on Twitter, it'll be great for his self-esteem.