Cloud9 CEO responds to potential Counter-Strike return

Jack Etienne, co-founder and CEO of Cloud9, has responded to rumours surrounding the North American esports organisation’s potential return to Counter-Strike esports.

Talks of Cloud9 returning to Counter-Strike were mentioned by French content creator Sebastien ‘KRL’ Perez, who claimed that NAVI Junior could be sold during the summer off-season. However, Etienne squashed any potential talks.

“This is a false rumour, sorry guys,” Etienne wrote on Cloud9’s subreddit. As a result, Cloud9 remains out of the Counter-Strike esports scene for the time being.

After letting the majority of its players leave the organisation during the 2024 winter off-season, Cloud9 stepped away from competing in Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) and continues to look for potential opportunities.

Cloud9 has a rich history in Counter-Strike, having fielded a roster in Valve’s first-person shooter (FPS) title since 2014. In the past eleven years, the organisation has won several tournaments, including the ELEAGUE Boston Major in 2018.

Outside of Counter-Strike, Cloud9 competes in six esports titles, including Call of Duty, VALORANT, and Rainbow Six Siege. The latter is the most recent expansion for the organisation, becoming part of Ubisoft’s partner programme.

NAVI Junior has caught the attention of Counter-Strike fans after some standout performances throughout 2025.

Currently ranked 27th in the Valve Regional Standings (VRS), the Ukrainian esports organisation’s academy side has won YaLLa Compass Spring, consecutive CCT Season 3 Europe Series events, and the first European series of the Thunderpick World Championship.

KRL also claims NAVI Junior player Drin ‘makazze’ Shaqiri could receive a promotion to the main roster as the organisation reportedly plans on making changes following its quarter-final elimination from the BLAST.tv Austin Major.

NAVI has yet to confirm any changes to its Counter-Strike roster.