Cloud9's CEO announced that the organization is back to profitability as of early 2024, while a recent report exposes that former CEO Nicole Lapointe Jameson engaged in lavish spending on executive travel during a period of necessary cost-cutting, raising serious concerns about internal management practices.

On January 2, 2024, Cloud9 CEO Jack Etienne announced on social media that the organization returned to profitability in 2023 despite a challenging esports winter. The report noted that the company implemented significant cost‐cutting measures, including reductions in player salaries and layoffs in video, production, and streaming divisions, actions that raise questions about the organization’s treatment of its workforce.

A report by Richard Lewis has revealed that former CEO Nicole Lapointe Jameson authorized lavish spending on flights and hotel accommodations—totaling over $17,000 in just two months during a period of cost-cutting. This controversy, which surfaced prior to her departure in August 2023, raises concerns over Cloud9’s internal financial management even as the current CEO announces a return to profitability.

Cloud9 was fined $175,000 by Riot Games for issuing equity to seven players in violation of LCS rules. The fine is part of a broader penalty that includes restitution payments, highlighting potential lapses in internal oversight and regulatory compliance.

Riot Games fined Cloud9 $175,000 for issuing restricted stock units to active players, violating league rules that prohibit player equity ownership. The incident raises concerns over transparency and fair labor practices, as some players were not represented by agents during contract negotiations.

Cloud9's CS:GO team entered into a year-long partnership with the US Air Force, featuring the military insignia on team apparel and content collaborations at ELEAGUE events. The arrangement, announced in a press release and covered by Dot Esports on July 19, 2018, highlights the company's embrace of military branding.

Cloud9, a prominent esports organization, has entered a sponsorship deal with the United States Air Force. As part of the agreement, the USAF logo now appears on Cloud9 uniforms during the ELEAGUE CS:GO Premier 2018 event. This partnership, highlighted by CEO Jack Etienne’s enthusiastic endorsement, marks a notable instance of a private entertainment entity aligning itself with a branch of the military for promotional and recruitment purposes.