FaZe Clan, or simplyFaZe, is a professionalesports andentertainment brand. Founded on May 30, 2010, asFaZe Sniping, the organization has professional players and content creators from around the world, across multiple games.[3]
In October 2023, an agreement was announced for FaZe Clan's parent companyFaZe Holdings to be acquired by GameSquare in an all stock deal.[4] In May 2024, GameSquare announced the formation of a new company, FaZe Media. This formation spins off FaZe Holdings into an esports company, and aninternet media company.[5]
History
FaZe Sniping made its debut onYouTube on May 30, 2010.[6] Originally, the group were aCall of Duty clan founded by three players, Eric "CLipZ" Rivera, Jeff "House Cat" Emann (now known as "Timid") and Ben "Resistance" Christensen.[7] The trio garnered a reputation for innovating trickshotting in the gameCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.[8] Their YouTube content took off when Ted "Fakie" joined the clan. It was then that FaZe unveiled the most popular series on their channel,ILLCAMS.[9]
FaZe Clan's focus on trickshotting and a personality-driven approach to social media led to FaZe Clan becoming one of the first popular YouTube video game channels, compared to otherCall of Duty channels which often focused solely on winning tournaments.[6] In 2012, the channel had one million subscribers, and the clan began to branch out intoesports competitions.[10][6] Teams under the FaZe name began competing in competitions such as theCall of Duty Championship andCounter-Strike: Global Offensive Major Championships, who were separate from the clan's YouTube content creators, splitting members of FaZe Clan into two mostly autonomous camps.[10]
Originally, FaZe Clan did not have a corporate structure. However, the original CEO was Thomas "Temperrr" Oliveira, who had been a member of FaZe since he was 16 years old.[10] Oliveira and COO Richard “Banks” Bengtson created the first FaZe shared home in 2014 inPlainview, New York, intended to facilitate lifestyle content alongside their gaming content.[11]
In January 2020, FaZe Clan obtained a $22.7 million investment loan from a private lender. FaZe was advised on the transaction byCanaccord Genuity, a Canadian financial company.[26][27] On June 18, 2020, FaZe Clan announced its co-ownership of CTRL, afood supplement company.[28] In December 2020, FaZe Clan was worth $305 million. That same month, the revenue of FaZe Clan was estimated $40 million.[29] It also released the filmCrimson under FaZe Studios in 2020, withBrian "Rug" Awadis in a leading role.[30]
On June 10, 2021, FaZe Clan became the first esports team to be featured on the cover ofSports Illustrated.[31] The same year, a merger was announced with special purpose acquisition investors B. Riley Principal to become apublic company listed onNASDAQ, with an expected initial valuation of about$1 billion. As part of this merge, FaZe would receive$291 million from B. Riley, and would be renamed to Faze Holdings Inc. and refocus itself as a brand for "the voice of youth culture".[32] The merger was approved by theU.S. Securities and Exchange Commission,[33] and the company went public on July 20, 2022, however with a lower than announced valuation of $725 million.[34]
Also in 2021, FaZe Clan member Frazier Khattrri (FaZe Kay) became one of the lead promoters ofSave the Kids token, apump and dumpcryptocurrency which was additionally promoted by FaZe members Jarvis, Teeqo and Nikan. Upon the token's launch and revelation to the public that it was a pump and dump, FaZe removed Kay and suspended Jarvis, Teeqo, and Nikan for their involvement. Teeqo was later found to be unaware and uninvolved in the pump and dump, and was reinstated.[35]
In July 2022, FaZe Clan became apublicly traded company.[36][37] The company had only received a portion of the money they were promised by private investors ahead of their merge with B. Riley Principal 150 Merger Group.[38][39] On January 20, 2023, the price of their stock fell below one dollar for the first time,[40] which put them at risk of being delisted.[41] According toNasdaq policy, if a company's stock is under one dollar for more than a month, the company will receive a deficiency notice, in which they have 180 days for the stock to be one dollar or more for ten consecutive business days.[41][42] On February 15, 2023, the stock was at $0.76.[43]
In March 2023, it was reported that the company received a notice of delisting, which gave them 180 days to raise the stock price above one dollar.[44] Trink, the CEO, had expressed concerns and had stated that the company is working towards a solution to their problem.[45] As of September 2022, it was reported that the organization had enough money to last them until November 2023.[45]
In February 2023, FaZe Clan laid off 20% of its staff. Trink attributed it to uncertainty in the economy stated that the company would focus on financial discipline. He reported that the revenue growth for 2022 was a 25% increase from 2021.[46][47][48][49] However, FaZe Clan reported losses of approximately $14 million in the first two quarters of 2023, with slightly decreased revenues. In April 2023, Snoop Dogg departed from FaZe Clan's board, and on September 11, 2023, FaZe Clan announced the immediate termination of Trink from his position as CEO. The company appointed Christoph Pachler, the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of FaZe Clan, as the interim CEO.[50][12]
In October 2023, it was announced that FaZe Clan had been acquired by GameSquare Holdings Inc., and subsequently added to the GameSquare esports portfolio. With this acquisition, Bengtson, Oliveira, and Yousef Abdelfattah (FaZe Apex) were appointed as CEO, president, and COO respectively.[51]
On April 27, 2024, Bengtson kicked out members of FaZe Clan, reducing the content creator roster to fourteen members in an effort to "reboot" the organization.[52][53]
On May 6, 2024, the Esports World Cup Foundation, funded by theSaudi ArabiaPublic Investment Fund and organizers of the Esports World Cup tournament series, announced the 30 organizations (known in the ESWC as Clubs) who would make up the Club Support Program, with FaZe Clan being one of them. This program gives teams a one-time six-figure stipend if an organization is willing to enter new esports as well as additional funding each year if they drive viewership and fan engagement to the Esports World Cup.[54]
On May 14, 2024, GameSquare CEO Justin Kenna announced the formation of FaZe Media, led by Richard "FaZe Banks" Bengtson as CEO. This formation spins off FaZe Holdings into anesports company, and aninternet media company. FaZe Media received $11 million in investment from Matt Kalish, the president and co-founder ofDraftKings, resulting in Kalish owning 49% of FaZe Media during its foundation. FaZe Media will focus on developing a creator-led internet media company with GameSquare continuing to own 100% of the esports competition assets under FaZe Esports.[55] On June 19, 2024, Richard "FaZe Banks" Bengtson acquired 25.5% in FaZe Media from GameSquare.[56]
In December 2024, FaZe won Best Content Organization atThe Streamer Awards, where it was also nominated for Best Marathon Stream. At the time, its new streamer roster included JasonTheWeen, Adapt,PlaqueBoyMax, Banks, Silky, Lacy, and StableRonaldo.[57][58]
On March 31, 2025, GameSquare announced thedivestiture of its remaining 25.5% stake in FaZe Media. The company retains full ownership of FaZe Esports.[59]
On July 28, 2025, Bengtson stepped down from his role as CEO following accusations of scamming fans through thememe coin MLG.[60]
FaZe Clan has operated several regional and game-specific divisions throughout its history, often created through partnerships or rebranding to expand the organization’s competitive and cultural reach. These divisions have ranged from regionally focused esports lineups (such as FaZe France in Europe) to official franchise teams established within publisher-run leagues, such as Atlanta FaZe in the Call of Duty League. While some divisions were short-lived projects reflecting FaZe’s early international ambitions, others represent lasting partnerships that anchor the organization within franchised esports ecosystems.[61]
FaZe France
On September 19, 2013, FaZe eSniping, their competitiveCall of Duty sniping division, was announced with the joining of Raphael "Zydar" Zydar, Elliot "Hyspe" and Kevin "RanbOw", led by Anil "WaRTeK" Brancaleoni.[62] On April 3, 2014, FaZe Clan announced the rebranding of FaZe eSniping to FaZe France.[63] RanbOw left the team after one and a half years, with Anthony "Toto" replacing him.[64][65] On May 26, 2015, the players and staff of FaZe France stated they weren't satisfied with FaZe's plans and left to create their own organization.[66]
On May 2, 2019,Activision Blizzard announced thatAtlanta Esports Ventures had purchased one of the first five franchise slots for theCall of Duty League. According toESPN, the publisher was looking to sell slots for approximately $25 million per team.[67] "We have the opportunity to—once again—play a pivotal role in Atlanta's diverse esports community by bringing the future ofCall of Duty esports to the city," said Hamilton in a release at the time.[68] AEV and FaZe Clan partnered together for the team, and in October 2019, they announced that the team would be named theAtlanta FaZe.[69]
FaZe Clan has partnered with caffeinated drink mix brand Gamma Labs'G Fuel since 2012, which is currently one of the longest promotional collaborations in esports.[70] As a part of the collaboration, the company released FaZe-themed flavors, such as "FaZe Clan's Battle Juice" in 2019.[71] On May 2, 2019,Atlanta Esports Ventures announced the purchase of a franchise spot inCall of Duty league in partnership with FaZe Clan.[72] The resulting team,Atlanta FaZe, was announced on October 26, 2019.[73]
On November 22, 2018, FaZe Clan collaborated with sportswear manufacturerChampion to release exclusive clothing.[74] In 2019, Champion released exclusive clothing with FaZe on four occasions.[75][76][77][78] Champion manufactures most of the clothing released by FaZe. On March 14, 2019, FaZe Clan collaborated with clothing brand Siberia Hills for a limited-time hoodie release.[79]
On March 21, 2019, FaZe Clan announced its partnership with automobile manufacturerNissan.[80] Nissan started producing two original series on FaZe's YouTube channel.
On September 26, 2019, football clubManchester City announced its partnership with FaZe Clan for content creation and clothing.[81]
On July 20, 2019, FaZe Clan opened a booth at ComplexCon 2019, where they sold exclusive clothing in collaboration with Champion, label Lyrical Lemonade and clothing brand 24karats.[76] They collaborated with 24karats again on August 16, 2019, to release clothing accessories,[82] and with Lyrical Lemonade on November 27 of the same year.[83]
On September 17, 2019, FaZe Clan collaborated with headwear companyNew Era.[84] Through November 3 to 22, 2019, FaZe Clan collaborated with designer Warren Lotas, sportswear brandKappa and clothing brand CLOT respectively to release exclusive clothing.[85][86]
In August 2021, FaZe Clan announced a sponsorship withMcDonald's. The companies will partner on a series of content and other projects featuring major FaZe Clan stars.[87]
In September 2021, FaZe Clan andDC Comics collaborated on a limited edition comic book, written byJosh Trujillo and illustrated byScot Eaton, featuringBatman and several members of the FaZe Clan.[88]
In January 2023, FaZe Clan announced a shoe collaboration withNike. This collaboration came in the form of a Nike LeBron Nxxt Gen with the co-branding and colors of FaZe Clan. The shoe was debuted in a game played bySierra Canyon, the school whereBronny James,LeBron James' son, played for.[89]
Philanthropy
On March 15, 2020, FaZe Clan unveiled Fight 2 Fund, its four-week charityCall of Duty: Warzone event, in which social mediainfluencers,YouTubers, streamers, celebrities, sportspeople and musicians participate. Viewers could donate money, which was intended for charities supporting people affected by thecoronavirus disease 2019.[90] The event raised over $124,000.[25]
