Cloud9 CEO Denies Rumors Linking Team to NAVI Junior Acquisition

Cloud9 CEO Jack Etienne has dismissed rumors suggesting his organization is planning to acquire NAVI Junior. “This is a false rumor. Sorry, guys,” Etienne wrote on Cloud9’s subreddit, refuting claims made by French streamer Sebastien "⁠KRL⁠" Perez. KRL had speculated on his stream that NAVI Junior could be sold to Cloud9 this summer, alongside potential roster changes for G2, Spirit, and Natus Vincere.

Cloud9 stepped back from Counter-Strike earlier this year after releasing their entire roster, including Ilya "⁠Perfecto⁠" Zalutskiy in April. Meanwhile, NAVI Junior—ranked 27th in the VRS—have had a stellar season, winning four titles. KRL also suggested that rising star Drin "⁠makazze⁠" Shaqiri could be promoted to NAVI’s main roster. Following NAVI’s quarter-final exit at the Austin Major, captain Aleksi "⁠Aleksib⁠" Virolainen hinted at upcoming roster changes, stating, “We just have to wait and see.”