Skyesports, a leading esports tournament organizer in India, faces backlash over delayed prize payouts for the Skyesports Masters 2024. Allegations from teams and coaches highlight delays exceeding seven months since the event ended in April 2024.
This article examines the situation, outlines responses from affected parties, and discusses the broader impact on esports credibility.
Delayed Payments Spark Outrage
Anton “ToH1o” Georgiev, coach of Copenhagen Wolves, publicly criticized Skyesports for failing to pay teams that participated in the event. ToH1o posted his frustration on X (formerly Twitter), questioning the company’s reliability.
The Skyesports Masters 2024 featured a $350,000 prize pool and drew global participation. However, teams like Gods Reign, which finished 7th-8th and earned $15,000, are still waiting for their payments.
Recurring Issues with Skyesports
Payment delays are not new for Skyesports. In July 2024, Team Shush from Pakistan accused the organizer of failing to distribute winnings from the Skyesports Souvenir 2023, which ended in September 2023.
Such incidents highlight repeated failures in financial management, raising doubts about the company’s credibility.
Skyesports Responds to Allegations
Skyesports acknowledged the delays in a recent statement. The company claimed it had paid $257,500 of the total prize pool for both the Skyesports Masters 2024 and Skyesports Championship 2024.
Skyesports attributed the remaining delays to issues with onboarding documents for international transactions and other administrative processes.
Community Reacts Amid Broader Concerns
Players, coaches, and fans expressed frustration on social media, calling for stricter accountability from organizers. Critics argued that repeated payment failures damage trust and slow esports growth, particularly in South Asia, where events like Skyesports serve as key industry milestones.
The controversy also raises broader questions about the need for better regulatory frameworks to ensure financial transparency in esports.
Skyesports CS2 Roadmap
Despite the criticism, Skyesports announced its CS2 Roadmap 2025, promising four major tournaments and a total prize pool of $1.75 million.
The roadmap reflects Skyesports’ ambition to expand its presence, though concerns about payment delays continue to overshadow its future plans.
The ongoing payment disputes involving Skyesports Masters 2024 highlight significant concerns about financial accountability in esports. Timely prize distribution is essential to maintaining trust and supporting industry growth.
Skyesports must take concrete steps to resolve these delays, ensure transparency, and restore confidence among players and fans. As the esports community watches closely, the company’s ability to meet these demands will determine its reputation moving forward.
