Translated from Swedish using DeepL
The major Swedish company has given notice to all its employees in Sweden.
NIP founder Tommy Ingemarsson is downcast following the news.
“You can’t kill passion for money,” says “Potti.”
On Thursday, Expressen reported that Sweden’s largest esports team, Ninjas in Pyjamas, is laying off all its employees in Sweden—and moving its operations to its global headquarters in Abu Dhabi.The team was founded 26 years ago by Counter-Strike legend Tommy “Potti” Ingemarsson.
The 45-year-old hasn’t been part of the team’s organization for many years, but he laments the management’s decision to leave its Swedish roots behind.
“It’s really sad; it’s a legacy that’s truly dying out. A few years ago, they didn’t have that strategy at all, and now they’re doing a complete about-face,” says Potti.
He sees it as a chapter coming to a close.
“I always thought we’d protect it”When he started the team in June 2000, he had no idea that NIP would become the major international powerhouse it is today.
– But I always thought we’d make sure NIP remained Sweden’s pride and joy; that’s what we set out to build. Making a statement like this and letting everyone know—it’s really sad, of course.
At the same time, he sees it as opening the door for other teams to take the baton from NIP, even though it’s a heavy burden to bear given the team’s legacy as one of the best teams of all time, especially in CS.
“It’s been so NIP-focused for many years. They’ve also blocked the market, because if anyone wanted to get into Swedish esports, NIP was the first place they turned to. Now it opens up opportunities for others; that’s the only positive I can see in all of this,” says the founder.
“Can’t kill it for money”He highlights Alliance and Eyeballers, which have been hugely successful this year, and hopes that more and more teams will emerge to fill the void that Ninjas in Pyjamas is leaving behind in Swedish esports.
Potti believes that money is behind the decision to move to the United Arab Emirates.
“At some level, it’s a business, but it also has to be a passion. You can’t kill the whole passion just because you’re getting money,” he says.
https://www.expressen.se/sport/e-sport/nip-grundaren-skittrakigt-ett-arv-som-dor/