FaZe Clan has grown from a group of trickshot enthusiasts on YouTube into one of the most iconic and influential organizations in the world of esports and gaming entertainment. Known for its massive fanbase, bold branding, and celebrity collaborations, FaZe Clan has consistently remained in the public eye. But as the organization evolved into a full-fledged business, many have wondered: who truly owns FaZe Clan now? Understanding the ownership of FaZe Clan means exploring its origins, current leadership, corporate structure, and how it transformed into a publicly traded company with various stakeholders involved.
The Origins of FaZe Clan
Founding Members
FaZe Clan was originally created in 2010 by a group of gamers who went by the names Housecat (now known as FaZe ClipZ), FaZe Resistance, and FaZe Housecat. They began by uploading trickshot montages from the game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Their editing skills and flashy gameplay attracted attention quickly, and FaZe soon became a recognizable name on YouTube. Other early members, like FaZe Temperrr (real name Thomas Oliveira), joined and helped develop the brand into a larger collective.
Growth Through Content
Unlike traditional esports organizations, FaZe Clan emphasized content creation as much as competition. This helped them build a strong fanbase outside of just hardcore gamers. As the group grew, more personalities joined, each bringing their own audience. Members such as FaZe Rain, FaZe Apex, and FaZe Banks helped define the FaZe identity, contributing to both the entertainment side and the growing competitive gaming presence.
FaZe Clan as a Business
Transition to a Corporation
By the mid-2010s, FaZe Clan began transitioning from a casual content group into a structured company. This meant legalizing operations, hiring business executives, and forming official partnerships with sponsors and esports leagues. The original founders remained involved but were joined by new leadership with corporate experience, bringing in professional management to handle operations and finances.
Investment and Expansion
As FaZe Clan expanded, investors began to take interest in the brand’s potential. Celebrities and entrepreneurs saw value in the reach and engagement the team had. High-profile figures such as rapper Snoop Dogg, NFL star Kyler Murray, and NBA player Ben Simmons were reported to have taken part in FaZe’s business ventures, either through investment or affiliation.
Ownership of FaZe Clan
Public Listing and Corporate Ownership
In 2022, FaZe Clan went public through a SPAC (Special Purpose Acquisition Company) merger with B. Riley Principal 150 Merger Corp. The resulting publicly traded company, known as FaZe Holdings Inc., was listed on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol FAZE. This marked a significant shift in ownership structure from being controlled by a small group of founders to being owned by shareholders in the public market.
This means that FaZe Clan does not have a single ‘owner’ anymore. Instead, its ownership is distributed among individual shareholders, investment groups, former founders, and anyone who holds FAZE stock. However, there are key figures who still hold substantial shares and influence within the organization.
Key Shareholders and Leaders
- Thomas Temperrr Oliveira: One of the original members and still closely involved, he held a notable share even after the public listing and was seen as a brand leader.
- Richard FaZe Banks Bengtson: A longtime figure in FaZe Clan, known for creative direction and public presence. He has often been viewed as a visionary behind the brand’s image.
- Lee Trink: Previously the CEO of FaZe Clan, coming from a background in music and marketing. He played a major role in navigating FaZe’s move into mainstream business and public trading.
There are also institutional investors involved, which means various investment firms and holding companies have stakes in FaZe Clan, contributing further to the decentralized ownership model.
Controversies and Changes in Leadership
Internal Conflicts
As FaZe Clan became more corporate, some tensions arose between original content creators and new management. Several founders expressed dissatisfaction with how the brand was being handled, especially after going public. There were disagreements over creative direction, financial transparency, and decision-making power.
Some members left or distanced themselves from leadership roles, while others took to social media to voice concerns about losing control of the organization they helped build. These events sparked debates about whether FaZe Clan was still for the gamers or had become too focused on profit.
Stock Performance and Financial Struggles
After going public, FaZe Clan faced challenges in maintaining stock value. The price of FAZE shares dropped significantly, raising questions about the viability of their business model and long-term sustainability. Despite the name recognition and cultural presence, turning that into steady revenue proved more complex than expected.
This period of financial struggle led to shifts in leadership, with executives stepping down and restructuring efforts taking place to stabilize the company. This fluidity has only further muddled the question of who truly owns FaZe Clan at any given time.
The Future of FaZe Clan Ownership
Return to Core Identity
Recently, there have been efforts from legacy members to regain creative control of the FaZe brand. Some original founders, such as FaZe Banks and Temperrr, have discussed plans to bring FaZe Clan back to its roots focusing on authentic gaming culture, content, and community engagement.
These initiatives aim to rebuild trust with fans who felt disconnected during the corporate transition. Whether these founders can fully reclaim control depends on stock acquisitions, board decisions, and investor support.
Community Ownership?
There has also been speculation about the potential for more community-driven ownership in the future, similar to other organizations embracing Web3 or DAO models. While this is still a theoretical idea for FaZe, it reflects the broader shift in how digital brands and esports teams might operate in years to come.
FaZe Clan is no longer a small team with a single owner it’s a publicly traded company with a complex web of investors, creators, and executives. While the original founders still play a role in shaping the brand, ownership is now shared among shareholders and corporate stakeholders. Despite the business challenges and changes in leadership, FaZe Clan remains one of the most recognized names in gaming culture. The ongoing journey of FaZe Clan’s ownership reflects a larger story about how gaming, content, and business intersect in the modern digital age.