One of the biggest casualties of the esports gambling bubble bursting turns to DraftKings.
FaZe Clan, a well-known group of professional gamers and online personalities, is going through a big change. After facing difficulties like a failed IPO and making changes to its team, it’s teaming up with DraftKings and getting $11 million to try out new ideas for content.
Earlier this year, FaZe Clan was bought by GameSquare, a company that focuses on getting young people interested in things. Now, they’ve rebranded themselves as FaZe Media, saying they’ll still do what they’ve always done, but with more help from DraftKings.
The leader of FaZe Clan, Bengtson, is excited about this change and says they want to create a fun and passionate environment. The group has had a tough time turning their online fame into money, even though they have a lot of fans and have done well in esports. Their attempt to go public on the stock market didn’t work out, leaving them in a tough spot.
They’ve been criticized for becoming too corporate and losing touch with their original values. Controversies, like when they added Twitch streamer Grace Van Dien to their team, have made them rethink things.
To try to get back on track, FaZe Clan has let go of many members and is focusing on what they stand for. Bengtson believes they can restore the brand’s reputation and make it more than just about making money.
With this new direction, FaZe Clan hopes to overcome past challenges and make a difference in things that matter, like honoring first responders.
