Former NiP staff join chorus of CSGO players in criticizing team

The controversy surrounding Ninjas in Pyjamas has expanded significantly beyond player complaints, revealing deeper organizational issues.

Following recent allegations from former Counter-Strike: Global Offensive competitors about exploitative agreements and missing compensation, additional team personnel have come forward with similar disturbing experiences. These individuals held various positions at different periods, yet their accounts collectively expose troubling patterns within the current NiP leadership structure that has attempted to maintain a low profile.

What makes these new revelations particularly concerning is that they involve non-player staff who experienced similar treatment, suggesting the problems may be more systemic than previously understood.

The most prominent figure in these new allegations is Kevin Mikkelsen, who served as Team Operations Manager for Ninjas in Pyjamas’ Overwatch and Dota 2 squads during 2017. According to his public Twitter statements, NiP CEO Hicham Chahine consistently provided false information regarding contractual agreements.

“The position required extensive planning and substantial operational responsibilities,” Mikkelsen explained. “I accepted the role with the understanding that my employment would continue through September 2017. Monthly, and frequently multiple times each month, I requested my formal contract documentation, which never materialized.”

“The DOTA roster members faced similar difficulties obtaining their agreements from Hicham, who disregarded their repeated inquiries. Consequently, they began contacting me seeking assistance with their contractual situations.”

Mikkelsen recounts completing several months of professional duties during this period without ever receiving the promised employment documentation. When both the Overwatch and Dota 2 teams were dissolved in subsequent months, Mikkelsen pursued the compensation he had earned. Chahine allegedly responded by questioning his performance with the Dota 2 squad and indirectly suggested that the team’s competitive results justified withholding payment.

Central elements of Mikkelsen’s narrative found support in independent accounts from former community manager Benji Janssens and a graphic designer who collaborated with the organization. Similar to his experience, they described accepting positions where compensation either fell significantly below organizational commitments or failed to materialize entirely.

This pattern of financial mismanagement affecting multiple departments raises serious questions about operational integrity. When staff across different functional areas report identical issues, it typically indicates deeper systemic problems rather than isolated incidents.

The consistency across these separate accounts suggests a cultural issue within the organization’s management approach to contractual obligations and employee compensation.

These developments compound what has already been a challenging period for what was traditionally considered one of esports’ most respected organizations.

Earlier this week, former CSGO competitor Robin “Fifflaren” Johansson detailed his tenure with NiP and claimed unpaid earnings alongside exploitative organizational practices. Several additional former team members supported his assertions, reigniting conversations about the company’s problematic history.

Fifflaren was removed from the active lineup in 2014, preceding the current NiP ownership group’s complete operational control. Following his interview, he indicated that the present executive leadership demonstrated similar concerning behaviors. Although he didn’t specify particular grievances against current management, these fresh accounts contribute to depicting ongoing organizational instability.

The timeline of these incidents spanning multiple ownership periods suggests the organization may have deeper structural issues that transcend individual leadership teams.

For esports professionals considering positions with emerging organizations, these accounts highlight several critical warning signs. Delayed contract delivery, vague payment terms, and performance-based payment justification represent significant red flags that warrant careful consideration during contract negotiations.

Understanding these patterns can help industry professionals better protect themselves when engaging with esports organizations. Key protective measures include insisting on written contracts before commencing work, documenting all communications regarding compensation, and seeking legal review of employment agreements.

As the esports industry continues to mature, establishing professional standards for employment practices becomes increasingly important for both organizations and professionals.

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