Structure Astralis CS: GO in 2019 was undeniably strongest and dominated the professional scene. In May 2023 Lucas gla1ve Rossander and Andreas Xyp9x Hoislet announced a suspension of their careers, and the results of the team declined. Richard Lewis, who refers to a knowledgeable source, says team problems are attributed to critical leadership errors.
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According to an insider, Astralis sports director Casper Hvidt did not want to take into account the wishes of the players and the coach. He relied solely on his experience in handball and demanded that the composition of the same as that of a team from traditional sports. In communication with the players, he used a strategy of intimidation and pressure.
Initially, the team trained for 37-48 hours a week. The composition followed this schedule with utmost rigor, and by the end of 2019 the team had to spend even more time on preparation. Despite the players’ requests to review the schedule, Hvidt stood his ground.
After losing to BLAST Premier Spring Series 2023 the team firmly decided to take time to rest. However, Astralis signed agreements with BLAST and ESL, according to which the Danes were obliged to play in their tournaments, and there was no gap in the calendar for a vacation. The players had to continue to work, and in the next LAN-tournament – IEM Katowice 2023 – the team again failed to win the title, losing in the semifinals Natus vincere.
Then the coronavirus pandemic began. Although LAN tournaments were canceled, Astralis was forced to continue playing online due to contracts with ESL and BLAST. In addition, the management decided to reduce the salary of all employees by 30%, explaining this by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the players did not see the need for this – not one of the sponsors left the club, while the organization saved on transportation costs. Cybersportsmen have always gone towards the leadership before, therefore they did not consider that they deserve a reduction in wages. Despite the fact that the contracts did not have any sanctions in case of refusal, CS: GO roster players eventually agreed.
Similarly, cut salaries and staff Origen on League of Legends, although some players did not agree to this for a long time and even attracted lawyers to prevent Astralis management from doing so. According to the source, it was the salary reduction that became the main cause of the crisis in the CS: GO roster.
The insider also explained why the club began to sign additional players. The main reason was not that Astralis planned to build a team of more than five e-sportsmen. Despite the fact that the leadership did not want to give leave to the CS: GO roster, it was aware that rest can be obtained for medical reasons – in 2018, Denmark recognized the disease burnout syndrome.
Astralis understood that players would definitely take advantage of this opportunity, so they began to look for replacements. And the main applicants for joining the composition were those for whom no compensation should be paid and who would not require high salaries.
In a commentary on Dexerto.com, where a Lewis article was published, Astralis management declined to discuss contract issues. Representatives of the club only specified that sometimes there were really disagreements in the team, but in the end it was the joint work of the coaches, the club and the e-sportsmen that led to the desired result.
