After ending his professional career, k0nfig began talking about what had remained behind the scenes of tier-1 Counter-Strike for years. One of Denmark’s most explosive entry-fraggers openly named the exact amounts he earned at Astralis and Complexity, shattering the myth of “secret” contracts for top players.
Public figures
The topic of salaries in esports is almost always taboo — especially among active players. Public numbers can affect negotiations, reputation, and the internal atmosphere within teams. That is precisely why k0nfig’s openness only became possible after leaving the pro scene.
In a special episode of the Bootcamp podcast, the Dane explained in detail how much his contracts were worth at different stages of his career — and how those figures were determined.
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Salary at Astralis: lots of money, little satisfaction
During his time with Astralis, k0nfig earned around 175,000 Danish kroner per month, which is roughly equivalent to $28,000. According to him, it was one of the most lucrative contracts of his career from a financial standpoint.
At the same time, he describes this period as the most emotionally difficult. Toward the end of his stint at Astralis, his motivation to play had faded, but the high salary kept him on the roster. The contrast between financial comfort and internal burnout became a defining feature of that stage.
Complexity: from $15,000 to $30,000 in a few days
The story with Complexity turned out to be even more telling. The initial offer from the American organization was $15,000 per month — a sum k0nfig was ready to accept.
The situation changed drastically after a conversation with blameF, who admitted he was earning $30,000. Realizing the imbalance, k0nfig directly approached Complexity CEO Jason Lake and issued an ultimatum: either a $30,000 contract or no signature.
After several days of silence, a new version of the deal arrived — already with the required figure.
What this story really shows
k0nfig’s case highlights several important aspects of the tier-1 scene. First, even top players do not always know their true “market value” until they compare contracts within the same team. Second, a firm stance in negotiations can radically change the final terms.
And most importantly, salaries in the range of $25,000–30,000 per month for CS stars are not an exception, but rather part of a closed yet highly competitive esports economy.
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An illustration of earnings
k0nfig’s openness shed light on the financial side of tier-1 Counter-Strike. $28,000 at Astralis and $30,000 at Complexity are not just numbers — they illustrate how a player’s value is defined not only by skill and statistics, but also by the ability to stand up for one’s position. The Dane’s story is a rare but valuable look inside the mechanics of top-level contracts.
