The explosion in eSports' popularity over the last decade has seen a laundry list of notable public figures investing into the scene, whether it be contributing to competitions or investing in major organizations like 100Thieves or aXiomatic Gaming. The WWE appears to be keen on getting into the scene, as well, and has gotten its first foothold with Stephanie McMahon joining the board of directors for FaZe Clan.
Alongside the rise of eSports itself, FaZe Clan has seen a similar growth in popularity since the organization was founded in May 2010 as a Call of Duty-centric YouTube channel focused on trick sniper shots. The organization is now considered a powerhouse in the competitive shooter scene with teams regularly competing in Valorant, Rainbow Six Siege, Call of Duty, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournaments around the world. Outside of shooters, FaZe Clan also has teams dedicated to the FIFA and Rocket League competitive scenes.
Stephanie McMahon was announced as a member of FaZe Clan's new board of directors on Tuesday, joining a proverbial all-star team of executives who will oversee the organization's continuing growth. It is a position familiar to McMahon, who has served on WWE's board of directors since 2015 and its chief brand officer since 2013, the latter of which has seen her cultivate relationships between WWE and various media and charity organizations to grow WWE's brand. With FaZe Clan set to go public shortly, McMahon's experience will likely be invaluable as it continues to grow.
McMahon is one of the two most well-known members of the new board to the public, alongside rapper and media mogul Snoop Dogg. Snoop will be helping grow FaZe Clan's new talent network while also serving as a content creator. Other members of the board include co-founder Lee Trink, who will serve as chairman, along with executives from the brokerage and financial consulting fields such as Mickie Rosen, Nick Lewin, and Angela Dalton.
McMahon's position on the board, though, is another example of the influence WWE has attained over the last few years as a powerhouse, globally-known brand broadcasting its shows in over 180 countries. The last four years saw it score three of the biggest financial deals in the company's history between its 10-year, $450 million deal to run shows in Saudi Arabia signed in 2018, a five-year deal valued over $1 billion to air SmackDown on Fox starting in 2019, and its five-year content deal with Peacock signed in 2021, also valued at over $1 billion.
Given this recent success and rumors of a WWE potentially being purchased in the next few years, FaZe Clan appears set to continue its own upward trajectory in the world of esports.
Source: eSports Insider