The Decline of Legendary Esports Teams

Esports, particularly in the game Counter-Strike, is undergoing a difficult phase with the disappearance of legendary teams like IB Power and Titan, whose sticker prices are comparable to luxury cars. For example, IB Power left a significant mark on esports history, boasting sticker prices that reached 3 million rubles. However, beneath the facade of success lie darker aspects. Following a series of scandals, such as match-fixing in 2015, nearly all players were banned from competition. Similarly, Titan also lost its reputation, facing cheating accusations in 2014. The end of these teams turned into a disheartening bankruptcy, raising alarms for other organizations. A Singaporean team, after receiving considerable funding, experienced similar problems after losing investor trust, which also led to bankruptcy. This situation serves as a reminder of how financial stability can be as fragile as a glass house, held together by thin walls, and can collapse at any moment under the weight of scandals and loss of credibility.