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The Greater Toronto Hockey League sat down with CBass, one of the founding members of FaZe Clan. FaZe Clan started in 2010 and has since established itself as one of the world’s most prominent and influential gaming organizations.

GTHL: Tell us a little bit about yourself?
CB: I’m 29 years old – born, raised, and living in Toronto. I helped start FaZe Clan when I was 16 and I’m still here helping grow the organization as best as I can. Today, I’m Head of Social Media for FaZe where I’ve expanded the company with the Toronto office and oversee the social media team here.

GTHL: Growing up in Toronto, did you play hockey?
CB: Unfortunately, I never got to play hockey growing up because it was too expensive, but I got on a public rink every chance I could.

GTHL: What was your favourite sport video game to play growing up?
CB: I played every sports game possible growing up… NHL (and NHL Hitz), Madden, MLB The Show, NBA Live, NBA Street… It took up most of my time.

GTHL: For those unfamiliar with the esports scene, talk to us about what FaZe Clan is.
CB: FaZe is one of the most prominent and followed gaming organizations in the world, founded in 2010 by a group of internet kids and today reaches over 500 million followers across social media globally. The roster consists of world-class gamers, streamers, content creators, and esports professionals. Our gaming division houses [over 10] competitive esports teams with titles including Call of Duty, Counter-Strike, Halo, FIFA, and more. With a combined total of over 40 world championships to date, FaZe has brought home dozens of trophies with historic wins like the 2022 CS:GO PGL Antwerp Major, 2021 Call of Duty League Championship, and 2023 CS:GO Intel Grand Slam and most recently, the Halo World Championship 2023.

GTHL: How did you get into the esports scene and more specifically, in with FaZe?
CB: I was friends with the original founders of FaZe Clan, before there were 1000 subscribers on the channel. We met online and played together every day. When the FaZe content started to get more of an audience, I started lending more of a hand to help manage it. It was a natural transition, and I was lucky – nothing like the rigorous recruitment process we go through today.

GTHL: What does a typical day at the office look like for you?
CB: There aren’t many typical days at FaZe, but for the most part, it’s spending whatever time I have to keep up to date with the latest content, trends, and conversations in our communities and industry so that I can be as informed as possible when having internal conversations at the company about what our next steps should be.

GTHL: You have created content and collaborated with the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders, NHL, and even former GTHL alumnus Mitch Marner – is there one piece of content or a collaboration you’ve done that you are most proud of?
CB: Without question, our cover issue edition of Sports Illustrated. I read that magazine every week growing up (and still do).

GTHL: NHL 24 came out in October – have you checked it out? Is there a specific feature or change in the game you were most excited about?
CB: I almost always give the new NHL a try. Some years I play it more than others, depending on how many of my friends got it that year. This new one is interesting, they did a ton of different stuff with the controls. I’m not sure how I feel about it yet. I’m glad they’re finally giving the player-specific passing a try, but it could probably still be implemented better.

GTHL: In moderation and when paired with physical activity as well, video games can be a great source of entertainment and an added way for youth to socialize with their friends – something we saw throughout the pandemic. Do you think video games are also a way for kids to learn new skills and grow as individuals?
CB: I think anything that challenges you in life is something that gives you an opportunity to grow from it. Video games, at least if you’re trying to be good at them, can be a lot like the lessons team sports have to offer as it relates to the importance of communication skills. When you do something wrong, in a video game you are going to be reminded of it more often, and much quicker. You can learn and get better pretty fast if you’re paying attention.

GTHL: The esports scene has exploded in recent years… What would you say to someone who is skeptical about the future of esports?
CB: It’s pretty hard to be skeptical about esports once you’ve been to a tournament. The passion, the determination, the shared sense of community… it’s all the same brand of feeling as sports fans share. Of course, it can be hard to see that until you’ve felt it first-hand.

GTHL: Whether at the competitive level, in content creation, or on the business side, what would you say to a young athlete or gamer who wants to break into the esports scene?
CB: Just like anything else in life, if you want to be taken seriously in esports, you need to take esports seriously. You are going to need teammates that can count on you, and you are going to need teammates you can count on. You won’t find either if you don’t put your best foot forward first.

GTHL: What’s on the docket for 2024 and beyond for you?
CB: For the time being, I’m in my 13th year at FaZe and still doing everything I can to help make sure that continues. In 2024, I’ll turn 30… I don’t want to think about that yet!

Check out the 2024 Winter Breakout Magazine for all these stories and more!