Six influencers departed FaZe Clan on Christmas Day after failed contract negotiations with new management, marking the latest turbulence for the gaming organization, which has changed ownership multiple times since its 2010 founding.

Influencers known as Adapt, Jason, Ronaldo, Lacy, Rage, and Silky – the entire roster listed on FaZe Clan’s website – announced their exits on December 25, 2025, according to Bloomberg. Most posted identical messages stating “Left @FaZeClan” on X.

“14 Years. Over half of my life, I’d be lying if I said this didn’t hurt, but it had to be done,” Adapt wrote on X.

The coordinated announcements came after approximately six months of negotiations between the influencers and HardScope, an investment company led by Matt Kalish, a co-founder of DraftKings Inc., Bloomberg reported.

HardScope CEO Ends Contract Talks

Kalish, who began investing in FaZe Clan in 2024 and who has put $10 million into the organization over 18 months, ended negotiations with the influencers last week. He plans to continue FaZe Clan without them.

“My best guess is they’re all good kids and have a lot of people in their ear and are confused,” Kalish told Bloomberg. He added that FaZe had subsidized many of the influencers’ expenses, including their operations from a multimillion-dollar Los Angeles mansion.

Kalish described FaZe’s current financial structure as “unsustainable.” He launched HardScope to “turn creators into next-gen media moguls” by connecting sponsors and fans with personalities who stream content on platforms like Twitch.

The influencers felt the terms Kalish offered were unfavorable, according to a person with knowledge of discussions cited by Bloomberg.

PlaqueBoyMax, another FaZe influencer who departed in August 2025, explained his reasons during a livestream. “We have no control,” he said. “There was no control, and it’s like we’re puppets. At least that’s what it felt like.”

Ownership History and Financial Struggles

FaZe Clan went public in 2022 with an anticipated $1 billion valuation, but became a penny stock amid concerns about its sponsorship-based business model.

GameSquare Holdings Inc. acquired FaZe’s parent company for $17 million in 2023. The company fired CEO Lee Trink in 2023 following allegations of poor spending decisions and disagreements with talent.

Richard Bengtson, known as FaZe Banks and a co-founder of the organization, attempted a comeback by purchasing 25% of FaZe Clan from GameSquare in June 2024, according to IBT. His brand FaZe Media divested its stake by March 2025, returning full ownership to GameSquare. Banks departed as CEO in July 2025.

Banks Denies Involvement in Departures

Banks posted on X on December 25 that he had no involvement in the current situation. “I have nothing to do with what’s going at FaZe Clan right now. I left four months ago and have moved on with my life,” Banks wrote.

In subsequent comments, Banks responded to criticism from PlaqueBoyMax, stating the departed influencers received free housing, staff, and access to FaZe channels without sharing income.

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