Skyesports, a prominent Indian tournament organizer, faces escalating criticism over its handling of prize payouts for the Skyesports Masters 2024. Allegations of delayed payments have sparked outrage within the esports community, with affected participants and coaches speaking out about the financial discrepancies.
The latest accusation comes from Anton “ToH1o” Georgiev, coach of Copenhagen Wolves, who openly condemned Skyesports on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Highlighting a prolonged delay of over seven months since the tournament’s conclusion in April 2024, ToH1o questioned the company’s credibility, stating, “Nothing is paid out to the teams that played.”
The Skyesports Masters 2024, a landmark event with a $350,000 prize pool, attracted global attention. Despite its grandeur, ongoing issues with payments have tarnished its reputation. Teams such as Gods Reign, which secured a $15,000 prize for their 7th-8th place finish, remain among those awaiting their share.
Recurring Issues Highlight Poor Management
This is not the first time Skyesports has faced scrutiny. In July 2024, Pakistani esports team Team Shush accused the organizer of failing to disburse prize money from the Skyesports Souvenir 2023, which had concluded in September 2023. These recurring payment delays have fueled broader concerns about financial accountability in the competitive gaming sector.
Skyesports responded to the allegations with a statement acknowledging partial distribution of funds. The company claimed that $257,500 of the total prize money for the Skyesports Masters 2024 and Skyesports Championship 2024 had been paid. However, they attributed the remaining delays to complications involving “onboarding documents for international transactions and other administrative processes.”
Community Reacts Amid Broader Concerns
The esports community has expressed disappointment over these developments, citing the detrimental impact on the trustworthiness of organizers. Such controversies also jeopardize the growing momentum of esports in regions like South Asia, where events like Skyesports aim to serve as flagships for the industry.
To maintain transparency and restore credibility, Skyesports must address these issues comprehensively. In a related development, Skyesports Championship 2024 Day 2 demonstrated promising engagement, underscoring the potential of well-managed esports events.
The recurring controversies surrounding Skyesports payment delays emphasize the urgent need for better regulatory measures in the esports industry. Ensuring timely payouts and transparency in financial processes are essential to maintaining the trust of participants and fostering a thriving competitive environment. As Skyesports continues to pledge resolutions, the industry watches closely for tangible action to rectify these longstanding grievances.
