TL;DR
- North Esports abruptly closed most operations due to financial constraints despite recent roster additions
- CSGO and Apex Legends divisions were liquidated, releasing veteran players into crowded free agent markets
- The FIFA division survived through FC Copenhagen’s intervention to maintain eSuperliga participation
- Organization failed to secure co-investors after extensive market search efforts
- Closure highlights ongoing financial challenges in esports organizations focusing on shooter titles
The collaborative venture between Parken Sport & Entertainment and Nordisk Film North has reached its conclusion. This unexpected development results in the dissolution of most competitive teams across multiple game titles.
North becomes another prominent esports entity specializing in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive to experience significant restructuring within the past twelve months. Official communications identified financial obstacles as the primary driver behind this strategic withdrawal.
Industry Insight: The esports sector has witnessed multiple high-profile organization closures recently, with financial sustainability remaining a critical challenge for teams outside the top revenue-generating brackets.
Today is a sad day. North Esports is no more.
Ty for all ❤
https://t.co/KNeSvhvO0p
— North (@TheNorthIsHere) February 5, 2021
“We deeply regret that North, the Denmark-rooted competitive gaming company that significantly influenced global esports, must cease operations… Our extensive search for suitable co-investors across the marketplace unfortunately yielded no compatible partnerships,” stated Lars Bo Jeppesen, North’s chairman and Parken Sport & Entertainment director.
Market Analysis: Securing sustainable investment has become increasingly difficult for mid-tier esports organizations, particularly those heavily invested in high-cost shooter game ecosystems.
North’s competitive legacy primarily centers around its CSGO squad that consistently achieved notable results across premier international tournaments. The Danish organization cultivated numerous elite competitors throughout its existence, including three-time major champion Emil “Magisk” Reif. Their initial CSGO entrance featured the strategic acquisition of Team Dignitas’ former lineup, then ranked among the world’s best teams.
However, the restructured 2018 formation including Markus “Kjaerbye“ Kjærbye delivered their most impressive competitive results, highlighted by their DreamHack Masters Stockholm 2018 championship victory.
Historical Context: North’s 2018 roster represented one of Denmark’s most successful CSGO squads outside the Astralis dynasty period, demonstrating consistent top-tier performance in international competitions.
North’s CSGO team dissolution releases multiple professional gamers into an already saturated unrestricted agent marketplace, featuring established veterans René “cajunb” Borg and Jonas “Lekr0” Olofsson. The company hasn’t participated in competitive events since DreamHack Masters Winter 2020, where they recorded an underwhelming ninth-position result.
This development surprises the community given the organization’s recent addition of new CSGO roster members. The Danish squad recruited Denis “grux“ Gutaj from SMASH to finalize their lineup for European Development Championship 2 merely fourteen days prior. The team additionally incorporated Mikkel “LordHjoth” Bach into their FIFA division during late 2020. These recent acquisitions make North’s abrupt termination particularly unexpected.
Player Transition Strategy: Released professionals should consider regional tournament circuits and emerging organization opportunities while navigating the congested free agent environment.
Thankfully, not all competitive divisions face termination. The withdrawal exclusively affects first-person shooter titles, as confirmed by official documentation indicating FC Copenhagen will maintain North’s FIFA division to preserve participation in the eSuperliga.
Strategic Preservation: FIFA’s survival demonstrates the different economic models between shooter esports and sports simulation titles, with the latter often featuring lower operational costs and established league structures.
League Integration Benefits: Established league systems like eSuperliga provide more predictable revenue streams and lower player acquisition costs compared to the volatile shooter esports market.
Action Checklist
- Review financial statements of similar mid-tier esports organizations
- Analyze current free agent market conditions for CSGO professionals
- Research investment trends in esports organizations post-2020
- Compare operational costs between shooter titles and sports simulations
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Esports organization North closes, most players’ fates unknown Analyzing North Esports' sudden closure and its impact on CSGO, Apex Legends, and FIFA competitive scenes