Multiple Sources have informed Rush B Media that Cloud9 intends to withdraw from the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive title temporarily. Alex “ALEX” McMeekin, William “mezii” Perriman, Ricky “Floppy” Kemery, Erick “Xeppaa” Bach, and Patrick “Es3tag” Hansen will be benched and available for transfer effective immediately. Head Coach Chris “Elmapuddy” Tebbit has been released from the organization as well. While Assistant Coach Joshua “M1cks” Micks is still retained by the organization with his future uncertain.
Rush B Media was able to speak with Cloud9 CEO Jack Etienne who confirmed the rumors of the Cloud9 CS:GO team. Mr. Etienne explained that the Coronavirus pandemic had fared longer in Europe than the Cloud9 organization believed, causing undue stress and difficulties in providing bootcamps, housing, and the mental health of the players. The initial plan for the CS:GO team was to be located in Los Angeles when COVID-19 restrictions were loosened and safe to do so, however for players like ALEX, that was impossible. France would not allow ALEX to return to the country should he leave for any reason, creating a difficult situation for bootcamps and other team meet ups.
Dubbed, the “Colossus” back in the summer of 2020, Henry “HenryG” Greer was tasked with building a superteam that could rival the best in Europe. The original roster of ALEX, Mezii, Özgür “woxic” Eker, floppy, and Es3tag was met with struggles as the team failed to find form. The first major change was w0xic, who’s out of game issues resulted in a mutual contract termination after only four months. HenryG remains employed by the team for the time being. Mr. Etienne noted that Henry has been an incredible professional and someone who he would like to work with in the future as Cloud9 re-evaluates how the organization approaches North American CS:GO in the coming months.
Mr. Etienne was very clear that Cloud9 would not be leaving CSGO permanently. Due to the financial struggles incurred by the prolonged European stay and the team’s performance struggles, there was no other option but to temporarily take a step back for now. However, Cloud9 intends to remain in Counter-Strike in the future and will examine the North American CSGO scene for it’s next venture.
In conversation regarding the player’s futures and the considerable money spent on them, Cloud9 does not intend on recouping the entire outlaid fees. Players like ALEX and Es3tag has high price tags in a tight market without many readily available players. Cloud9 has given permission to every player to search for a new home while they are benched at this time.
