Into The Breach (ITB) was once one of the most exciting underdog stories in Counter-Strike. A relatively unknown UK-based organization, ITB shocked the world by reaching the quarter-finals of the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023, proving that even smaller teams could compete at the highest level. Their Cinderella run made them a household name, bringing them international recognition and a major financial boost through sticker revenue.

However, success was short-lived. After the Major, ITB struggled to maintain a stable roster, leading to a complete rebuild in 2024. Recently, an internal investigation revealed that CEO Sam "SlayTheMinotaur" Cook had embezzled hundreds of thousands of pounds, leading to unpaid salaries and the ultimate shutdown of the organization.

This is the full story of ITB: from an inspiring Major playoff run to a shocking financial collapse that ended the team’s journey in Counter-Strike.

Early Days: Building a CS Presence

Into The Breach entered the Counter-Strike scene with modest ambitions, starting as a UK-based esports organization focused on competing in the tier-two circuit. The organization experimented with various rosters, searching for the right mix of experience and firepower to compete at a higher level.

Their first real breakthrough came when they built a roster around UK talent, including well-known names such as Thomas "Thomas" Utting and William "dobbo" Dobson. The team was competitive but never managed to break into the elite level of play. ITB continued to grind through regional tournaments, aiming for a shot at the biggest stages in CS2.

The Cinderella Run at the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023

2023 was the year ITB made its mark on the Counter-Strike world. After a surprising qualification to the BLAST.tv Paris Major, the team became one of the tournament’s biggest underdog stories. Led by Karol "rallen" Rodowicz, Thomas, and Joey "CRUC1AL" Steusel, they defied expectations by reaching the quarter-finals. The team beat on its way FaZe, ENCE, and fnatic, a remarkable achievement for a roster without prior Major experience.

Their run ended in the playoffs, where they faced Vitality, the eventual champions. Despite the loss, ITB’s performance cemented their place in CS history, proving that a lesser-known team could stand toe-to-toe with the best. Their success also brought financial rewards, with sticker revenue from the Major expected to boost the organization’s future.

Post-Major Struggles and Roster Instability

Following their Major success, ITB faced difficulties maintaining their momentum. Like many underdog teams, roster instability became an issue. Key players departed, and the organization struggled to rebuild a squad capable of competing at the same level.

By mid-2024, ITB decided to restructure completely, bringing in fresh talent while partnering with Shuffle, a deal that reportedly provided a $1 million salary budget per year for rosters in both CS2 and Dota 2. This financial backing was expected to give ITB stability, but it ultimately led to deeper internal problems.

One of the most notable signings during this period was Owen "smooya" Butterfield, a high-profile yet controversial AWPer. However, despite the new investment and roster moves, the biggest achievement of this squad was the semis of YaLLa Compass Summer 2024 and lots of last finishes at tier-3 events. 

The Financial Scandal: ITB’s Collapse

By early 2025, ITB was in crisis. The organization announced it would wind down operations after discovering severe financial mismanagement. An internal investigation revealed that CEO SlayTheMinotaur had been embezzling funds for personal use.

In a shocking admission, Cook revealed he had been taking large sums of money from the organization’s budget, estimating that he had misused around £600,000 ($750,000) on personal expenses, including "benders and self-harm actions." He acknowledged his alcoholism and destructive behavior, calling ITB’s financial system a "house of cards" that repeatedly collapsed due to his mismanagement.

Player and Community Reactions

The scandal quickly became public, with several former ITB players accusing the organization of failing to pay salaries and mishandling Paris Major sticker revenue.

• smooya claimed that the CEO owed around $500,000 to players and staff.
• rallen, one of the stars of ITB’s Major run, publicly denied Cook’s claim that players were paid properly, stating he was still owed months of salary.
• Reports also surfaced that some ex-managers were using company funds for personal expenses, including food deliveries and designer clothing, all allegedly coming from the players' money.

Cook admitted to signing a second contract that promised additional sticker revenue to the Paris Major players but failed to uphold those financial commitments.

Despite his confessions, Cook’s actions left ITB in financial ruin, with no way to recover. The organization’s official statement confirmed that it was working with legal and financial advisors to handle the shutdown transparently, but for the players and staff, the damage was already done.

The End of Into The Breach

From Major playoff heroes to a financial disaster, ITB’s fall is one of the most shocking stories in Counter-Strike history. Their underdog success in 2023 was quickly overshadowed by mismanagement, unpaid salaries, and embezzlement.

The ITB name will now be remembered not for its achievements in the game but for the scandal that led to its collapse. With the organization shutting down, its former players and staff are left to pick up the pieces and move forward, while the esports world watches yet another cautionary tale of poor leadership ruining a promising team.