Competitive gaming has been around for longer than two decades. In recent years, however, the trade, which falls under the umbrella of electronic sports, or e-sports, has grown explosively in popularity.
People who play video games competitively sometimes join clans, or groups of fellow competitive video game players. One of the primary benefits of joining such clans is that members are able to grow bonds alongside fellow clan members. Just like with sports teams, the closer players are able to grow, the better they are likely to perform.
As Twitch streaming and YouTube video game video publishing have grown increasingly popular as of recent, another benefit of joining clans is that of receiving advertising revenue, brand deals, sponsorships, and other forms of monetary compensation.
One of the most prominent, well-liked, and successful clans is the FaZe Clan, which was found in 2010.
FaZe Clan recently found itself on the receiving end of a lawsuit from Turner Tenney, also known by the moniker “Tfue,” a former member of the video gaming clan. Currently, “Tfue” Tenney has more than 10 million subscribers on YouTube, the world’s most popular video-sharing platform, and six million followers on Twitch. Although it isn’t clear exactly how much money the professional gamer makes, it’s probably upward of a million dollars per year.
Tenney is suing FaZe Clan for wrongfully breaching his contract with the group and allegedly engaging in unfair business practices. The lawsuit, a copy of which was first obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, alleges that FaZe Clan kept roughly 80 percent of the revenue that Tenney generated from videos that were sponsored by YouTube and Twitch, as well as his advertisement deals through FaZe Clan. Tenney’s lawsuit also alleges that roughly half of the revenue that was generated from Tenney’s appearances at gaming conventions and elsewhere in person was retained by FaZe Clan.
“Tfue” Tenney first inked a deal with FaZe Clan in April 2018 to the tune of a six-month contract. Shortly after, the contract was extended by a margin of 30 months, making the contract a three-year deal. At the time that Tenney signed the deal last year, he only had roughly 150,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel.
Ultimately, Tenney’s lawsuit asks the court to give back money that was earned via Tenney’s likeness, videos, and in-person appearances, as well as terminate the contract that Tenney signed last year.
Dil Bole Oberoi
