The latest revelations by journalist Richard Lewis shed light on the current state of Astralis. Based on insights from undisclosed internal sources, it has come to light that the organization has been actively seeking a potential buyer since the onset of December 2024. Speculations suggest that the brand may soon transition ownership to a Middle Eastern conglomerate or an investment firm.
The horizon appears bleak for the CS2 team as there seem to be no intentions of extending Rasmus "HooXi" Nielsen's contract or bringing in fresh talent. Despite the absence of concrete plans for player acquisitions, the team must continue its operations to fulfill existing sponsorship agreements and tournament commitments. In the event of the organization failing to secure a buyer for its entirety, there is a contemplation of selling off the CS2 roster individually.
Furthermore, a shadow of uncertainty looms over the squad as they anticipate a contingency scenario at BLAST Austin Major 2025. Astralis could step in as a replacement team should any European lineup skip the event, mirroring the circumstances witnessed with 9Pandas last season.
Adding to the turbulence, the management has proposed a reduction in player salaries, a suggestion that has not been well-received by the players. The recently ousted Esports Director Kasper Straube was reportedly drawing a salary deemed excessive, calling his efficacy into question among certain team members.
With a potential plan to divest players individually rather than as a collective unit, Viktor "Staehr" Stahr finds himself in a precarious position. Having recently committed to an extension until 2027, unaware of Astralis' financial fragility, he faces an uncertain future.
Reflecting back on 2024, Astralis underwent substantial cutbacks resulting in mass layoffs within the marketing and content divisions, leading to a dip in their brand's visibility and appeal. Sources also hint at impending expiration of pivotal sponsorship agreements without any prospects for renewal.
The initial murmurs of changes within Astralis, as reported by OverDrive, gained further validation with subsequent elaborations from Dust2.dk, HLTV, and Aurora Gaming's proprietor. Alleged screenshots of a presentation tailored for potential investors have surfaced, hinting at prospective changemakers, such as Jonas "calc" Gundersen, the former COO of NiP, presently affiliated with a Qatari entity.
