Long-time ESL FACEIT Group executive Craig Levine announced this week that he would be stepping down from the role of co-CEO and exiting the company. While he did not publicly state what his plans are post-exit, Levine did disclose that he will serve in an advisory role to ensure a “smooth transition” for the remainder of 2025. EFG Co-CEO Niccolo Maisto will now become CEO of the operation.
In a statement posted on LinkedIn, Levine said the following:
After an incredible eleven years at ESL / EFG, I am stepping back from my role as Co-CEO. Niccolo will continue on as the single CEO for EFG.
Being part of EFG’s story has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life. I’m extremely proud of what we’ve achieved together. I’m especially grateful to the entire team for their passion, creativity, and commitment to shaping the future of esports!
I will continue to support the business in an advisory capacity for the remainder of 2025 to ensure a smooth transition. I’m confident that EFG will continue to grow, evolve, and lead the industry forward!
Levine joined ESL (then owned by Modern Times Group) in early 2012, as executive vice president of its North American operations—he spent more than two years in that role before being promoted to CEO of ESL NA. In 2018, he took on the role of chief strategy officer for ESL, where he spent two years before being promoted to co-CEO.
He spent another two years in the role before the company was acquired by the Saudi Arabian government owned Savvy Games Group for $1.05 billion USD and merged with esports tournament platform FACEIT (which was also acquired for $500 million in 2022).
In his role as one of the top executives in ESL FACEIT Group, Levine oversaw the acquisition of Esports Engine and its parent company Vindex, one of the top esports production companies in North America and the UK, as well as helping the Saudi government-funded Esports World Cup Foundation create and operate the Esports World Cup.
While Levine is mostly associated with ESL, he began his career in competitive gaming way back in 2002 when he founded Team 3D, a high-profile esports organization that competed in Halo 2, Counter-Strike, and People Can Fly’s horror shooter Painkiller. From there he founded event services and technology agency ESS agency and video game technology solutions provider E-Sports Entertainment (ESEA) before joining ESL.