TL;DR
- Shane “EpikWhale” Cotton turned a millionaire at 16 years outdated after putting third within the 2019 Fortnite Solo World Cup.
- As of January 2026, he has earned $1.85 million from aggressive Fortnite and represented groups corresponding to NRG.
- EpikWhale and his brother, Trever, established The Mousepad Firm in December 2019 after being impressed by his success.
- He has rewarded himself for his success with a fantastic white Camara, in addition to having up to date his house laptop setup.
- EpikWhale is at present an impartial, having introduced on X in December 2025 that he was now not with FaZe Clan.
Shane “EpikWhale” Cotton has all the time been fiercely aggressive. He spent months mastering the Rubik’s Dice after discovering it tough to resolve.
The American utilized this focus to change into one of many world’s most profitable avid gamers and a millionaire by the point he was 16.
However how does he spend his fortune? What have been the highlights of his skilled Fortnite profession, and does he produce other pursuits?
Esports Insider reveals how EpikWhale has amassed his total web wealth, together with his event winnings and different revenue sources.
Who’s EpikWhale?
His actual identify is Shane Cotton. He’s a 23-year-old skilled gamer who turned a millionaire after coming third within the 2019 Fortnite Solo World Cup.
He has earned $1.85 million from 138 tournaments and is at present an impartial, having left FaZe Clan on the finish of December 2025.
EpikWhale’s profile abstract
| Full identify | Shane Cotton |
| In-game identify | EpikWhale |
| Date of delivery | August 3, 2002 |
| Nationality | American |
| Group | Most not too long ago FaZe Clan |
| Years energetic | 2019-present |
| Video games performed | Fortnite |
| Estimated web price | $1.85 million |
| Greatest achievements | Third in 2019 Fortnite Solo World Cup |
What’s EpikWhale’s web price in 2026?
We primarily based our estimates of EpikWhale’s web price on his profession as an expert Fortnite participant, during which he has earned $1.85 million, in response to Esports Earnings.
Nevertheless, he has earned extra money from salaries, streaming revenues, and different enterprise pursuits, so we’ll study every in flip.
EpikWhale’s principal sources of revenue
Listed here are the assorted income streams that contribute to EpikWhale’s total web price.
Profession earnings
The majority of his web price comes from the $1.85 million earnings from 138 Fortnite tournaments since 2019.
His greatest payday got here proper in the beginning of his profession when he earned $1.2 million from putting third within the 2019 Fortnite Solo World Cup that was held in New York.
He additionally earned $125,000 on the 2022 Gamers8 event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. As of January 2026, he’s gained 31 occasions, been runner-up 18 instances, and positioned third on 17 events.
Group salaries
EpikWhale has performed for a number of groups throughout his profession, most not too long ago FaZe Clan, so it’s probably that he was paid an honest wage.
Whereas the phrases of those contracts are hardly ever disclosed, high esports gamers can earn as much as $187,200 per 12 months, in response to a report from the Influencer Advertising and marketing Hub.
Streaming income
In line with Streamscharts, his all-time Twitch viewer report was 40,543 on August 12, 2019. Nevertheless, it’s unknown what number of paid subscribers comply with his account.
EpikWhale additionally has a YouTube channel with 229,000 subscribers. The quantities earned will depend upon the preparations with each platforms.
Sponsorships and endorsements
EpikWhale doesn’t seem to have distinguished sponsors, though it’s attainable that he could have benefited from endorsements signed by his numerous groups through the years.
For instance, he performed for NRG at a time when it was partnered with organisations corresponding to Nighthawk Professional Gaming, Sneak, Sennheiser, Cal Esports and Qualcomm.
Individually, he posted a photograph on Instagram final 12 months carrying a t-shirt bearing the slogan: ‘Seed oils suck’ that seems to be from Talor Natural, a supply kitchen in Venice, California.
EpikWhale’s enterprise ventures and investments?
He runs The Mousepad Firm, a enterprise that was arrange together with his brother, Trevor, in December 2019. In line with the corporate’s web site, the unique thought was triggered by EpikWhale’s success on the skilled gaming scene.
It said: “After my brother EpikWhale had established himself as a high Fortnite participant, I began interested by how we are able to crew as much as deliver a superior product to the market that had design and performance and offered a professional benefit.”
The brothers have since collaborated with quite a lot of artists to provide mats and in addition promote different gadgets, together with posters, storage crates, and blankets.
EpikWhale’s youth and background
When he burst onto the skilled gaming scene in 2019, he was dwelling in Redondo Seashore, California, together with his mother and father and brother, Trevor.
“I’m a really aggressive particular person,” he instructed Fortnite in 2019. “After I set my thoughts on one thing, I simply go full drive on that.”
His brother, Trevor, strengthened this evaluation. “He undoubtedly has a problem-solving, strategic thoughts. I see it when he performs. He’s three strikes forward of everybody else.”
At the same time as a teen, his aggressive spirit was there for all to see. His strategy to the Rubik’s Dice puzzle was a chief instance.
“I noticed it laying round the home, picked it up and realised I couldn’t resolve it, so I spent months studying it,” he recalled.
He has since used this quiet dedication in his gaming profession.
“The similarities between Fortnite and the Rubik’s Dice are simply problem-solving and getting centered,” he defined. “I attempt to break the sport all the way down to a science and resolve it sooner and sooner…I’m a centered participant, calculated, constant.”
Life-changing second
EpikWhale’s career-defining second got here when he surprised the world by putting third within the 2019 Fortnite Solo World Cup. It’s the one time this occasion has been held.
He’d initially travelled to New York together with his father for the occasion, with different members of his household following to offer him their help. To position within the high three got here as an enormous shock.
In an interview on Fortnite’s YouTube channel, he stated: “I used to be simply dwelling a standard life; taking part in video games with my pals and going to high school. And now all of this has occurred, and it’s loopy.”
In the identical documentary, his Dad commented: “Individuals all the time underestimate Epik as a result of he’s quiet. He’s by no means been the most important or quickest, however beneath all of that lurks a really, very sturdy competitor.”
Profession development
Whereas EpikWhale has spent intervals as an impartial gamer, he has additionally performed below the banner of some distinguished groups.
For instance, he was with NRG between 2019 and 2022, earlier than representing TSM, the place he earned $12,925 from 16 tournaments.
He then moved to FaZe Clan in the summertime of 2023 earlier than saying in December 2025 that his time with the crew had come to an finish.
Unsurprisingly, EpikWhale’s most profitable 12 months was 2019, resulting from his Fortnite Solo World Cup success, however he additionally made six figures in each 2021 and 2022.
Final 12 months, he was named as one of many high 50 Twitch Avid gamers to comply with by the Affect Company. It said: “EpikWhale is one other of the highest Twitch avid gamers with a stacked resume: third place within the Fortnite World Cup Solos, six Fortnite Champion Collection championships, and counting.”
EpikWhale’s way of life & spending habits
One of many first purchases EpikWhale made after turning into a millionaire was shopping for a brand new white Camaro during which to drive in model.
He additionally made some smaller additions. “I’ve added just a few new issues to my setup,” he instructed an interviewer after his windfall. “A brand new chair, a brand new PC, a brand new monitor stand and a brand new mouse so I can deal with streaming and taking part in aggressive Fortnite.”
EpikWhale is an everyday on social media channels corresponding to X and Instagram, together with his posts providing a glimpse of how he spends his money and time.
It charts journeys to Greece and Dubai, taking part in golf with pals, and conserving match. He’s additionally understood to have an condo in Dallas.
An avid gym-goer, he not too long ago cited on X that making progress in lifting weights was one among his targets for the approaching 12 months.
EpikWhale’s philanthropy and charitable donations
It’s not clear whether or not EpikWhale personally helps explicit charities. Nevertheless, he has performed for groups which have backed totally different causes.
For instance, he was taking part in for NRG when the organisation introduced in September 2019 that the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society could be its charitable accomplice. It labored with the charity to assist elevate consciousness and increase donations.
EpikWhale additionally performed for TSM when it partnered with the Nationwide Breast Most cancers Basis in late 2022.
How does EpikWhale’s web price evaluate to different esports stars?
Only a few Fortnite gamers have earned greater than EpikWhale. Actually, he sits at quantity 4 on the sport’s all-time wealthy checklist. Kyle “Bugha” Giersdorf is high with $3.78 million.
Total, EpikWhale is the 79th richest gamer and ranks tenth in the USA. Nevertheless, he’s nonetheless a way behind the very richest.
Conclusion
Shane “EpikWhale” Cotton wasted little time in turning into one of many world’s most profitable skilled Fortnite gamers.
The then 16-year-old gained a cool $1.2 million from his third place within the 2019 Fortnite Solo World Cup, lower than 18 months after he began taking part in the sport.
He has since established himself as one among Fortnite’s high stars, taking part in below the banner of main groups and racking up $1.85 million in profession earnings, as of January 2026.
Nevertheless, EpikWhale continues to be simply 23 years outdated, so he has loads of time to cement his legacy as one of many richest and most profitable avid gamers of all time.
FAQs
How a lot does EpikWhale make a 12 months?
It’s unclear how a lot EpikWhale earns every year, however his total web price is estimated to be $1.85 million.
EpikWhale’s actual identify is Shane Cotton, and he’s an expert Fortnite participant.
EpikWhale was born on August 3, 2002. That makes him 23 years outdated on the time of writing.
What’s EpikWhale’s actual identify?
EpikWhale’s actual identify is Shane Cotton.
EpikWhale is from California, United States.
What crew does EpikWhale play for?
EpikWhale hasn’t signed with anybody since leaving FaZe Clan in December 2025.
