Mika Kuusisto is out as CEO of ENCE, the Finnish esports organization he led for seven years. His departure, announced Tuesday, comes as the broader esports industry shows fresh signs of financial strain — particularly from the crypto sponsors that once flooded the scene with cash.
Why Kuusisto left
Kuusisto didn't give a detailed reason in the brief statement. He said it was time for a new chapter, both for him and for ENCE. The company's board thanked him for building the brand from a small Counter-Strike team into a global contender. But the timing isn't great. ENCE, like many esports outfits, has been leaning on sponsorship revenue that's gotten harder to lock in.
The crypto sponsorship hangover
Esports organizations are especially vulnerable to the fluctuating sponsorship landscape, and crypto has been a big part of that. Over the past few years, exchanges and blockchain projects poured money into team jerseys, tournament naming rights, and player salaries. That cash has started to dry up as crypto markets cooled and regulators cracked down. ENCE itself had deals with crypto firms — though the company hasn't said whether any of those contracts are up for renewal or already expired.
The board said it will begin searching for a new CEO immediately. In the meantime, day-to-day operations fall to the existing management team. ENCE still fields rosters in Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, and other titles. But without a permanent leader and with sponsorship dollars tightening, the next few months could be rough. The esports winter isn't over — and Kuusisto's exit is the latest sign that even the established names aren't immune.
