Cloud9 manager: “There is a high chance that we as a community ruined a lot of deals beneficial for whole industry with leaks. I definitely know of a few”

Cloud9 roster manager Aleksandr “Sweetypotz” Shcherbakov has voiced serious concerns about the escalating frequency of confidential information breaches within competitive gaming. He aligns with veteran competitor Peter “dupreeh” Rasmussen, who previously condemned this trend as damaging to professional standards.

The current volume of unauthorized disclosures represents a fundamental breakdown in professional conduct. Confidential negotiations should remain between the participating organizations’ authorized representatives. When even minor team discussions become public knowledge, it indicates widespread failure to maintain basic confidentiality protocols. Whether motivated by seeking recognition or social media influence, this behavior undermines the industry’s professional standing. Alarmingly, the community response appears largely indifferent—we now have dedicated esports leakers who receive community acceptance and even form professional relationships with insiders.

Unfortunately, the psychological drive to appear influential by sharing confidential information persists because establishing accountability remains exceptionally challenging. However, experienced professionals with established reputations like dupreeh speaking out provides hope for positive change. Their advocacy suggests potential improvement in industry standards.

Shcherbakov further elaborated that many leaks originate strategically from organizations themselves, serving specific business objectives. These calculated disclosures can achieve various goals without direct financial investment, including artificially boosting player market value through manufactured demand signals.

Many professional leakers fail to recognize they may be serving as unwitting mouthpieces for organizational agendas. Frequently, the circulated intelligence is either deliberately fabricated at source or becomes distorted through transmission chains. Organizations initiating false narratives typically pursue multiple strategic aims: generating media attention, provoking specific community responses, creating competitive pressure environments, or simulating bidding interest. The result is substantial organic reach and discussion volume achieved through third-party channels at minimal cost—a masterclass in information warfare.

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“Zero unexpected transfers. This is ridiculous”

Discussing the tangible consequences of information breaches, the Cloud9 executive detailed how premature disclosures frequently cause organizations or players to withdraw from negotiations. He confirmed personal knowledge of multiple instances where promising deals collapsed due to unauthorized information releases. This pattern of comprehensive transparency actively hinders industry maturation and sustainable development.

We must acknowledge the strong probability that our community’s leak culture has destroyed numerous advantageous arrangements that would have benefited the entire ecosystem. I possess definitive confirmation of several such cases. While publicly advocating for industry advancement, many participants simultaneously undermine progress through irresponsible information sharing. Immediate gratification consistently outweighs commitment to long-term strategic development.

Responding to community feedback suggesting these issues stem from esports still being perceived as informal competition, Shcherbakov responded:

Regrettably, those responsible for unauthorized disclosures are the very individuals reinforcing this perception. However, I must emphasize that insider information and leaks aren’t inherently problematic. The critical issue arises when every transfer discussion and negotiation becomes public knowledge, eliminating any element of surprise. Complete absence of unexpected roster moves represents an absurd situation for a professional industry.

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The transition from informal competition to established professional industry requires fundamental cultural transformation. Organizations must implement comprehensive confidentiality agreements and establish clear consequences for breaches. Developing professional standards similar to traditional sports organizations requires commitment from all stakeholders—players, managers, and community members alike.

Professional esports should adopt established sports industry practices regarding transfer windows, authorized spokespersons, and media management protocols. Establishing these frameworks protects not only individual deals but also the long-term valuation of the entire competitive ecosystem. For teams seeking to optimize their strategic approach, our Class Guide provides valuable insights into building professional team structures.

Sweetypotz began his esports management career with Gambit in 2018, when the organization prioritized hiring professionals with traditional sports backgrounds. His athletic credentials include junior national bobsleigh team membership, Master of Sports of Russia distinctions in bobsleigh and American football (equivalent to national championship status), and competitive basketball experience at municipal levels. He transitioned to Cloud9 when the organization acquired the team roster.

Cloud9 finds itself at the center of current transfer speculation during what many consider the most significant CS:GO roster reorganization period. Current intelligence suggests the organization will release Timur “buster” Tulepov and Vladislav “nafany” Gorshkov. Their potential replacements include NAVI veterans Ilya “Perfecto” Zalutskiy and Denis “electronic” Sharipov, with the latter maintaining in-game leadership responsibilities. For comprehensive strategic planning, our Complete Guide offers detailed frameworks for organizational development.

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No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Cloud9 manager: “There is a high chance that we as a community ruined a lot of deals beneficial for whole industry with leaks. I definitely know of a few” How esports leaks damage industry growth and what professionals can do to protect deals