ESL has confirmed that it is currently taking a look at the implications of the GameSquare acquisition of FaZe Clan. GameSquare is currently also a parent company of Complexity, which could cause potential issues with ESL’s Counter-Strike tournaments when the acquisition goes through later this year.

Both teams recently met in the Grand Final of IEM Sydney 2023, with FaZe taking home the trophy. As two mainstays of Tier 1 Counter-Strike, it would be near impossible to ensure these teams never met in high-level competition, especially given their participation in the ‘Louvre Agreement,’ which ensures invites to several top ESL tournaments.

Credit: Sarah Cooper | © ESL. Modified by Daniel Morris.

The ESL Statement

ESL confirmed the news in a statement to HLTV, reading:

“We are aware of the acquisition of FaZe Clan by GameSquare and are examining the potential implications this may have on (their participation in) our tournaments and our business relations. If the outcomes of this review lead to any updates, then we will announce those in due course.”

It’s clear that right now, nothing is set in stone for the two teams. However, Valve’s zero-tolerance toward conflicts of interest means that this issue is one tournament organizers must sort out sooner rather than later. With BLAST tournaments coming and PGL Major Copenhagen qualifications set to start in early 2024, there’s a lot this FaZe acquisition could impact.

IEM Katowice 2024 kicks off in late January 2024. Presumably, we’ll have our answers by then.

Roster Rumors

The FaZe acquisition has led to a variety of CS2 roster rumors. Some feel that one of these brands will leave CS esports for good. The prominent rumor suggests that FaZe’s CS roster will be sold to various teams – essentially stripped for cash. Despite success, FaZe’s Counter-Strike division has always felt like an outlier in the organization. Even under new leadership, it makes sense that it could be on the chopping block.

The leading theory right now sees Twistzz head back to Liquid. Where this leaves karrigan, ropz, broky, and rain remains to be seen, but it’s an issue FaZe will want to clarify as soon as possible.