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The FaZe Clan fallout has once again put the spotlight on Matt Kalish, most widely known as the co-founder of DraftKings. He is also the CEO of HardScope and a major stakeholder in FaZe Media. Kalish invested $11 million into FaZe Media at its formation, instantly becoming its largest stakeholder with a 49% ownership stakeThat kind of influence and control of the company was recently called out by popular streamer Adin Ross, who publicly questioned leadership decisions tied to FaZe Clan’s recent departures. Despite Kalish’s contributions, Ross is seeking clarification regarding certain business strategies and creative decisions within the company.
Matt Kalish’s rise from DraftKings success and Adin Ross’ latest claim
Matt Kalish built his reputation long before FaZe Clan came into the limelight. As one of the original co-founders of DraftKings, he helped shape the fantasy sports industry into a billion-dollar market. He also launched HardScope with the aim of giving influencers more ownership and structure. With that vision, he started up FaZe Clan in 2024 when GameSquare acquired the brand and positioned it as a creator-first media company.
His $11 million investment earned him a seat on the board, placing him at the center of important strategic decisions. He was a stabilizing force of the company, especially after years of financial turbulence surrounding the FaZe brand. However, this clean and consumer-friendly image has now shifted after Adin Ross accused company leadership of mishandling creator agreements.In a recent livestream, Ross directly called out Kalish and former FaZe Media CEO Richard “Banks” Bengtson for introducing revenue expectations too late in the process. He minced no words as he said, “Banks and Matt Kalish, you guys messed up, because initially, with the announcement video, you guys were supposed to make them sign… You guys waited two years later. That’s the issue…”According to Ross, the reported request for 20% of creator revenue came only after streamers had already built large audiences. This led to former FaZe Clan members, including Lacy, Adapt, and Jasontheween, exiting the company. The issue further deepened when Banks, who left the company in July 2025, called those signings one of the worst decisions of his life. As of now, Matt Kalish has not publicly responded to these significant claims made by Ross.Also read: Adin Ross confirms person allegedly hit by Clavicular’s Tesla Cybertruck is alive
