French 3DMAX Counter-Strike 2 team robbed of $1 million
3DMAX General Manager for Counter-Strike 2, Stéphane Pons, has admitted that shortly after his arrival, he discovered serious financial irregularities. Almost all of the club's income was under threat, including revenue from in-game stickers, one of the key funding sources for CS organizations.
The estimated damage is in the six-figure range, approaching seven figures, i.e., around $1,000,000. For a team at 3DMAX's level, this is a critical blow. Pons decided to temporarily freeze financial flows to conduct an internal investigation. A legal case is currently underway.
At the same time, the manager emphasized that he and the club's owner have taken on the obligation to fully cover the debts owed to the players. According to him, the team is already close to resolving the issue, and positive news is expected soon.
The financial crisis inevitably affected the sporting side. Throughout 2025, 3DMAX experienced a period of instability. The team participated in tier-1 tournaments but was often eliminated in the early stages. Limited resources impacted the depth of preparation, analytical work, and infrastructure development. Nevertheless, the team maintained its presence on the international stage and continued to fight for ranking points, preserving its status as one of the notable French projects.
Despite financial difficulties, 3DMAX has carried out a large-scale structural update. Kevin "misutaaa" Rabier, an experienced French player who previously played for Vitality and other international teams, was signed to the roster. Simultaneously, the club strengthened its coaching staff. Damien "wasiNk" Dufour has once again become the head coach, having already worked with the team in 2024 and helped it secure a place in the tier-1 calendar. He is joined by Nathan "NBK-" Schmitt as an assistant coach.
3DMAX Roster
- Lucas "Lucky" Chastang
- Pierre "Ex3rcice" Bulinge
- Bryan "Maka" Canda
- Filip "Graviti" Branković
- Alexandre "bodyy" Pianaro
- Damien "wasiNk" Dufour (coach)
- Nathan "NBK-" Schmitt (assistant coach)
3DMAX is in a transitional phase. The financial crisis has seriously hit the club, but management is attempting to reboot the project by strengthening the staff and making transfers. If the legal situation is resolved and financial stability is restored, the team has the potential to return to its 2024 level, when it consistently reached the playoffs of major tournaments.