Cloud9 confirms floppy’s CSGO signing was worth big money

By Nick Johnson

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Oct 7, 2020

Reading time: 2 min

Cloud9 has almost finished its roster with the addition of Ricky “floppy” Kemery in a deal C9’s general manager Henry Greer said was worth more than $430,000.

Floppy is the only player that has survived a Cloud9 rebuild that started when the team announced that it would release the organization’s current roster after a mere eight months. The South African esports team ATK agreed to a roster transfer with Cloud9 in early January after C9 had spent months fielding stand-ins at various tournaments. Unable to pin down a solid lineup, C9 sold several players to Gen.G before picking up ATK, a move that likely saved the organization a sum of money.

C9 picks floppy, has one more spot on CSGO roster

With floppy’s announcement, Cloud9 has kept its word regarding the public release of player salaries. The deal is worth $432,000 over three years, making him one of the highest-paid players on the roster. Cloud9 has signed several other high-profile CSGO players in the past month and has openly spoken to their contact details.

Publicizing the contracts puts Cloud9 in a great position both in its battle with ESL and its member teams as well as with the Counter-Strike Professional Players Association. None of those mentioned share contract details publically as part of their lack of transparency regarding their business dealings.

The CSPPA has been a particularly strange name to include on the list. Despite billing itself as the players’ representation in CSGO, its deals require that organizations cannot reveal contract terms with their players, but must share those details with the CSPPA. Additionally, the CSPPA has hammered out different deals with several tournament organizers and has yet to publish a meaningful version of a minimum contract.

On the team-building side of things, Cloud9 is sending a strong message to other teams that says it’s willing to pay for the right pieces. Both messages should resonate with pro CSGO players looking for teams, especially since other options, such as MIBR or one of several vacant head coaching slots around the sport, aren’t looking as enticing.

As of now, C9’s roster is as follows:

  • Alex “ALEX” McMeekin
  • William “mezii”  Merriman
  • Özgür “Woxic  Eker
  • Ricky “floppy” Kemery
  • Aleksandar “kassad” Trifunović (Coach)