Sources close to the player have revealed that former ENCE in-game leader Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen turned down a $1 million package over two years to be the new CSGO in-game leader for Dallas-based Complexity Gaming.
The deal not only included a salary that would have made him one of the highest paid in-game leaders in world Counter-Strike, but also housing in a luxury apartment.
Virolainen made headlines recently when it was reported by journalist Jarek “Dekay” Lewis that Complexity’s founder Jason Lake flew to Helsinki to hold talks face-to-face with the player. The same sources told Dexerto that the player turned down the move simply because he doesn’t want to relocate to North America. Virolainen has also been heavily linked with Call of Duty legend Matthew “Nadeshot” Haag’s organization 100 Thieves.
The Finn’s refusal prompted Lake to approach his next target, Heroic’s 22 year old Danish in-game leader Benjamin “blameF” Bremer, who Lake also held talks with in person. Bremer has now arrived in Dallas where he will continue in an in-game leadership role with whatever roster the team builds around him. The first part of the new-look team included former Cloud9 player Will “RUSH” Wierzba, who was benched this summer after a dip in personal form.
The search for a higher calibre team comes after the organization, now owned by the Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and real estate magnate John Goff, were knocked out of the CS:GO Major in Berlin by the Australian organisation Grayhound Gaming.
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The shock result prompted Lake to tweet: “I love our players as individuals but these results won’t be tolerated. If you’re a Tier 1 player looking for a fresh start at the best facility in the world, HMU. I’ll pay your buyout and give you the world’s highest salaries. Let’s build a juggernaut.”
I love our players as individuals but these results won’t be tolerated.
If you’re a Tier 1 player looking for a fresh start at the best facility in the world, HMU. I’ll pay your buyout and give you the world’s highest salaries.
Let’s build a juggernaut.
Spread the word.
— Jason Lake (@JasonBWLake) August 25, 2019
Many criticized the timing of the tweet, but since then the team’s owner has been as good as his word, with several roster rumours linking Complexity with international players and salary offers that would make them one of the highest-paying organisations in the world if confirmed. With so many of the high profile free agents and available players residing in Europe, the only issue seems to be one of geography.
We reached out to Jason Lake who declined to comment on this report.
