Counter-Strike 2 pro STYKO unveils eye-opening 2023 player salary & earnings

Counter-Strike 2 professional player STYKO has opened up about his total salary and earnings from the 2023 season, offering a rare glimpse into the financial side of esports.

In a detailed breakdown shared on his YouTube channel, Martin “STYKO” Styk, a seasoned player with nearly a decade in the professional scene, shared that his total income for 2023 was a staggering €461,253 ($509,089).

This figure includes his base salary of €150,000 ($165,468) from Apeks, his team at the time, amounting to around €12,500 per month ($13,793).

However, it’s not just the salary that makes up a pro gamer’s income. Prize money, sponsorships, and other sources like social media and personal endorsements play a significant role.

His prize money for 2023, although he was benched mid-September, totaled €13,500. This was a 50/50 split between Apeks and the players plus the coach, a common arrangement in esports teams.

But the most significant chunk of his income came from other sources, including sticker money from the last CS:GO major, social media, YouTube, Twitch, and personal sponsorships, totaling €297,753.

STYKO’s transparency in sharing these figures is rare in the esports world. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the financial dynamics of gaming, especially for young aspirants and their parents.

The variability in earnings between top-ranked teams and those lower in the rankings is vast, and STYKO’s experience highlights this disparity.