Into The Breach winds down operations following embezzlement scandal

Into The Breach (ITB) has begun to wind down all of its operations after it was revealed that its CEO, Sam ‘SlayTheMinotaur’ Cook, had taken funds from the esports organisation for personal use.

In yesterday’s announcement on X (formerly Twitter), ITB revealed that it found itself in an ‘unsustainable position’ after discovering that ‘an individual entrusted with all financial and monetary decisions was embezzling funds’.

Although ITB did not explicitly share the individual behind the embezzlement claim, Cook later admitted to being responsible for the organisation’s shutdown via a statement on his personal X account.

“ITB goes under, people lose employment, salaries go unpaid, money lost, hate created – all my fault and responsibility,” Cook said.

“There’ll be several legal consequences to this, all of which I’ll accept and face. People will be made as whole as possible with what funds are available. This’ll be managed outside my influence.”

Founded in 2021, UK esports organisation Into The Breach competed in games such as Counter-Strike 2, Halo, Rainbow Six: Siege and Dota2. Among ITB’s biggest competitive achievements was its qualification to the BLAST.tv Paris Major in 2023.

Last year, the company secured a naming rights deal with online crypto casino Shuffle.com, and was rebranded into ITB.Shuffle Esports.

Cook further referred to alcoholism and self-destructive habits as the reasons for the mismanagement of ITB funds: “Unfortunately, I, the CEO, was acting as two people – one trying to match their efforts and another, a destructive, alcoholic narcissist hellbent on self-immolation.”

Since Cook’s and ITB’s statements, numerous individuals involved with the organisation and the overall esports community have spoken about the situation on social media.

ITB’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Sebastian Lubczyk, highlighted the lost future potential of the company: “I wanted to write a statement, but I have no words. Three years of work is gone. What hurts the most is that at this rate of growth, revenue, etc. We could have been one of the top organizations in 2-3 years. I’m disappointed in the man I trusted with all my heart.”

Moreover, on-air talent and a former coach of ITB’s Dota2 roster, Robson ‘TeaGuvnor’ Merritt, shared his perspective on the shutdown: “As of today, ITB has let go of its Dota team. We were not aware of the financial issues ITB had with its other teams. Had we been, we would have found another organisation…”

Into The Breached had only announced its re-entry into Dota 2 following a four-year absence in January 2025.

Outside of its Dota roster, several individuals involved with ITB’s other teams have accused the company and its CEO of being owed prize money and payments.

Cook was also accused of mismanaging the funds earned through the Legends Sticker Capsule during ITB’s Paris Major 2023 run. In response, the former CEO released a second statement, claiming that he had paid the players appropriately.

“Stop, you owe me salaries from almost half of the year and sticker money, you know what did you sign, everyone knows how much we made money for you and how were you delaying all payments…,” replied Rodowicz to Cook’s X post.

Blaine ‘Blainey’ Uknighted, who had worked for ITB as an Esports Team Manager, commented in support of those who are yet to be paid: “I will do my best to work with the appropriate stakeholders to push for everything owed to be paid out, although their is no guarantees this will be possible. To the fans of ITB Rainbow Six: Siege and ITB Halo. I am sorry.”

As esports has been shaken by several mismanagement scandals in the recent past, some voices within the field expressed disappointment and frustration in light of the ITB news.

“Another case of prize money not getting to the players that earned it. How many times is this going to happen in esports until something changes,” said Rainbow Six on-air talent Ollie Hatton.

Another significant repercussion of the ITB news is the shutdown of UK grassroots esports organisation The Goose House (TGH). The company ran grassroots tournaments and community events and became first known for its activities in the VALORANT scene.

TGH was partially acquired by ITB in October 2023, becoming a co-owner of THG alongside existing co-owners David ‘dave’ Taylor and ‘dËk’.

ITB took various steps to restructure and streamline TGH after the acquisition, however, following the announcement Taylor and Dek revealed the end of all of TGH’s operations yesterday.

In the post on TGH’s X account, the co-owners explained that the TGH Discord server would remain active as other aspects of the organisation had strayed from its initial course.

“What was meant to be a fun place to hang out and play games soon became a second job for many of us, ultimately draining the joy from its original purpose. […] We turned a blind eye when it became clear we were being taken advantage of from every possible angle imaginable. And ultimately, we have been let down too much to want to continue.”

Furthermore, Dave and Dek thanked the TGH team and community.