Rumours surrounding Team Falcons buyout costs gain fresh interest after their latest signing of Academy talent Maksim ‘kyousuke’ Lukin.
Speculation online is that the Saudi team spent up to $2 million USD (~£1.47 million GBP) on kyousuke’s buyout and signing. Despite Falcons denying this, the suggestion alone sparked debate over the team’s roster-building practices.
Falcons buyout history in Counter-Strike
Despite the popularity of their individual players, Team Falcons has frequently come under fire for its buyouts and signings as an organisation.
Counter-Strike fans have accused them of “ripping apart other teams” through offering higher salaries than other organisations can offer. Thanks to their complex yet evidently substantial financial backing, they can offer players substantial pay packets.
In 2024, roumours surrounding Falcons buyout finances increased. The organisation finally closed the deal on Nikola ‘Niko’ Kovač, who they purchased from G2. At the time, speculation was that this transfer cost $1-$1.2 million USD (~£734,000-£881,000).
When kyousuke was signed to the Falcons roster, popular esports community figure Jake Lucky posted that the player’s buyout from Team Spirit Academy was approximately $2 million USD.
This once again fanned the flames of buyout cost rumours, leading to the Team Falcons Chairman and Owner, Musaed Al-Dossary, attempting to silence the claim. He replied under Jake Lucky’s post, stating, “The buyout was big but not close to what you mentioned.”
Expensive buyouts vs poor roster longevity
Following this incident, Counter-Strike fans are also criticising Team Falcons’ approach to player transfers. Their reputation for spending money on players who do not enjoy longevity on the roster is a particularly strong focal point.
Overall, the fact that 19 players and coaches have been cycled in or out of their Counter-Strike roster since January 2023 is viewed as extreme or unfair by many fans.
Currently, two high-profile Counter-Strike players are on the Falcons’ bench.
Abdulkhalik ‘degster’ Gasanov was on the active roster for less than four months after being signed. More recently, legendary player Emil ‘Magisk’ Reif was also benched when kyousuke was signed.
Overall, Team Falcons appear to take any chance at increasing the odds of winning titles. Their recent transfers could boost the team’s chances of winning the upcoming Esports World Cup, according to Counter-Strike betting sites.
Sourcing expensive pay packets – controversy around Saudi government links
Although not openly funded by the Saudi Arabian government, Team Falcons does have several links to the controversial Middle Eastern leadership.
In 2024, Falcons signed a five-year sponsorship deal with NEO Digital Banking, which the Saudi National Bank directly owns.
Leadership figures within Team Falcons also have connections with the Saudi Arabian government.
Former Team Falcons CEO, Faisal Alaql, is currently working in the Saudi Arabian Government. He remains a Board Member for Team Falcons while working in a government capacity.
Overall, these connections and the prominence of Saudi Arabian wealth in Team Falcons consistently spark controversy. Until significant changes are made to transparency regarding the team’s funding, rumours and criticism will not cease.
Hannah is a writer specialising in the esports, gaming, and technology sectors. Working for outlets such as Dot Esports, Esports Insider, and of course ENUK, she has developed a love for wider esports and Apex Legends, although it may never surpass her drive to passionately beat her friends in every game of Mariokart. You may have seen her at various esports and gaming events, including ESI London, EGX, Discover: Esports and many League of Legends watch parties.