The Falcons organization has once again found itself at the center of discussion within the CS community — this time not because of a headline transfer, but because of raw numbers. According to calculations by Reddit users and scene analysts, Falcons have invested approximately $20–25 million into their CS project since 2021, yet during that time they have failed to win a single playoff match at a Major.
Massive investment without Major results
Falcons officially entered Counter-Strike in 2021 and since then have consistently assembled rosters built around big names. Over this period, the organization has gone through several roster iterations — from a French core to a lineup built around ENCE, from a short-lived experiment with s1mple to the current roster, one of the most expensive in CS history.
These expenses include not only player buyouts, but also high salaries, a full coaching and analyst staff, business-class flights, and accommodation in premium hotels. According to Falcons representatives themselves, monthly player salaries start at $40,000 and go higher.
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Major performance timeline
Results at the most important tournaments on the scene look harsh when contrasted with the scale of investment:
- PGL Major Antwerp 2022 — failed to qualify
- IEM Rio Major 2022 — failed to qualify
- BLAST Paris Major 2023 — failed to qualify
- PGL Major Copenhagen 2024 — failed to qualify
- Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 — failed to qualify
- BLAST Austin Major — 20th place
- StarLadder Budapest Major — top 8
Even reaching the top 8 in Budapest does not remove the core issue: in four years of the Falcons project, they have not won a single Major playoff match.
Why the numbers look realistic
Within the community, many point out that the $20+ million figure does not appear exaggerated. According to rumors, the Heroic core alone cost Falcons around $6 million. The transfer of m0NESY is estimated at $1.5–2 million, NiKo at $500,000 to $1.5 million, kyousuke at $750,000 to $1.5 million, with some sources suggesting even higher figures.
On top of that come the costs of maintaining top-tier staff and a full infrastructure that resembles a football giant more than a traditional esports organization.
Community reaction: money versus system
The main narrative in the comments is that Falcons are trying to “buy stability,” but Counter-Strike does not work that way. Some fans believe the problem is not individual players, but constant rebuilds and the lack of a long-term team identity specifically tailored for Majors.
Others note that despite all the failures, Falcons remain a consistently strong top team at other events — but Majors continue to be their systemic barrier.
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Falcons investments
The Falcons story is a clear example that even the biggest budgets do not guarantee success at the most important tournaments on the scene. Majors continue to serve as the ultimate litmus test for organizations, and it is precisely there that Falcons’ investments have yet to find justification.
Whether the organization can change this narrative in future seasons remains an open question. But as of today, Falcons have already become one of the most illustrative cases in the debate about the line between money and results in modern Counter-Strike.
