Tfue is one of the hottest names in esports right now, with over 120 million Twitch views, 10 million subscribers on YouTube, and over 5.5 million Instagram followers. Tfue, otherwise known as Turner Tenney, is known as one of the world's best Fortnite players. He is suing the FaZe Clan esports organization that he is a part of. He claims that the organization is taking up to 80% of his earnings from brand deals.
Tenney says that his contract is in violation of California law and the Talent Agency Act. His attorney, Bryan Freedman, says that this is a serious issue with esports because there is "little to no regulation or oversight." There are no unions nor guilds nor any protections set up to protect the talent as there are in other entertainment industries.
"That Gamer Agreement is grossly oppressive, onerous, and one-sided," writes Freedman. "Faze Clan uses its illegal Gamer Contracts to limit Tenney to deals sourced exclusively by Faze Clan and to prevent Tenney from exploring deals presented by others; deals that are potentially superior to deals procured by Faze Clan; and deals that are not saddled with an eighty percent (80%) finder's fee."
Tenney's lawyers say that not only is the contract anti-competitive, but it also goes against the Talent Agency Act.
The state law requires that any person or company "who engages in the occupation of procuring, offering, promising, or attempting to procure employment or engagements for an artist" must be licensed by the labor commissioner and conform to professional regulations. Its definition of "artist" includes a catchall of "persons rendering professional services in motion picture, theatrical, radio, television and other entertainment enterprises."
"Not only does Faze Clan take advantage of these young artists, it jeopardizes their health, safety and welfare," writes Freedman in the petition to determine controversy. Tenney says FaZe Clan pressured him to live in one of its homes in the Hollywood Hills with other young YouTubers, where he says he was given alcohol before turning 21 and encouraged to illegally gamble.
"Faze Clan also continuously pressured and encouraged Tenney and others to undertake dangerous stunts while performing in videos," writes Freedman. "During one video, Tenney suffered an injury to his arm while skateboarding which resulted in permanent disfigurement."
"Faze Clan also continuously pressured and encouraged Tenney and others to undertake dangerous stunts while performing in videos," writes Freedman. "During one video, Tenney suffered an injury to his arm while skateboarding which resulted in permanent disfigurement."
As you may notice, this response does not address other issues raised by Tfue, including the claims about the 11-year old pressured to lie about his age, the underage drinking, nor the 80% cut of brand deals.
The full legal filing can be seen below.
Tenney v Faze Clan by on Scribd