A Difficult Start to December for Astralis
Astralis, one of Counter-Strike’s most recognised organisations, has confirmed that both players and staff did not receive their salaries at the beginning of December. The news arrives at a challenging moment for the Danish team, who are currently fighting to stay alive at the StarLadder Budapest Major.
CEO Jonas Gundersen acknowledged the delay in a written statement to Danish outlet Ekstra Bladet, saying the timing is “far from ideal” for everyone involved.
Payments Delayed by 14 Days
Employees and CS2 players were expecting their pay on 1 December, but salaries did not arrive. Instead, Astralis informed their workers on the same day that they would need to wait around 14 days for the payment to be processed, creating uncertainty during the holiday season.
To compensate for the delay, Gundersen confirmed that all employees and players will receive an additional ten percent on top of their salary once payment goes through.
Ownership Transition Behind the Issue
Astralis was acquired two months ago by Fusion Esports Group, led by co-founder Jakob Lund Kristensen and Gundersen. The takeover was positioned as a fresh start, with new energy and a new direction for the organisation.
Gundersen said the delayed salaries stem from “challenges” inherited during the acquisition, although he did not elaborate. Financial filings show that the holding company behind Astralis has 8.4 million Danish kroner in equity, yet wages remain outstanding.
Both Kristensen and Gundersen have declined further interviews during the Major due to tournament commitments.
Pressure Mounts During the Budapest Major
The timing is tough for Astralis’ CS2 squad, who finally returned to a Major after missing five consecutive events. Their qualification was boosted by the signing of Rasmus “HooXi” Nielsen as IGL earlier this year, but their campaign in Budapest has been rocky.
As of now, Astralis are facing a must-win match against Turkish side Aurora. Superstar AWPer Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz is competing under significant pressure, playing while still awaiting his salary.
If Astralis exit early, they stand to earn only €10,000 in prize money, a small portion of the event’s multi-million euro pool.
The organisation is expected to receive financial support through sticker sales and participation revenue, but that won’t provide immediate relief to employees currently waiting to be paid.
Astralis to Discuss the Situation After the Event
Gundersen has stated that Astralis will address the situation more openly once the Budapest Major concludes. For now, the team remains focused on its decisive match, while staff and players wait for payment to finally land.