Overwatch League is a fairly costly prospect for esports organisations, in line with a brand new report.
Overwatch may very well be a terrific esports sport if Activision Blizzard ever will get its act collectively, however some scorching new intel goes a way in the direction of explaining simply why established organisations haven’t flocked to its banner.
According to nameless sources talking to ESPN, Blizzard is asking a whopping $20 million franchise price to purchase into Overwatch League – and that’s simply the minimal worth. Bigger markets like New York and LA are taking a look at footing a fair bigger invoice.
That could not appear a lot as compared with conventional sports activities leagues just like the NBA or MBL, however it’s increased than competing merchandise. League of Legends, in all probability essentially the most profitable western esports scene, provides crew franchises for $1.eight million.
Moreover, the report claims Overwatch League gained’t assure income sharing till after 2021 – and even then, provided that Blizzard hits its monetary targets, which weren’t disclosed.
Overwatch League is supposed to launch later this year, however sources stated they doubt it is going to occur. Several main groups have dropped out of negotiations just lately, and the sources stated they anticipate extra to comply with swimsuit.
We can solely hope that Blizzard’s new esports division will carry MLG’s experience to the desk and kind all this out.
Overwatch has a lot potential, and even these gamers who aren’t within the professional scene whilst a spectator would profit from the years of assist a profitable esports initiative would assure.
Update: Blizzard’s response
Blizzard has responded to ESPN’s report on Overwatch League with a prolonged assertion issued to Gamespot.
A consultant for the studio didn’t straight handle the main points of the report, however stated “enthusiasm” for Overwatch League had resulted in “unverified and wildly ranging rumors from anonymous sources about purported deal terms, team pricing, and other details”.
Blizzard stated it gained’t launch info concerning Overwatch League till it’s “at a place where it makes sense to do so”, however needed to reassure the group that it’s taking “great care” to construct an “ecosystem” that’s “accessible to a wide audience, sustainable, and rewarding for everyone involved”.
Th developer additionally stated it gained’t ignore endemics – presumably that means current Overwatch groups and esports communities. The developer cares “deeply” about its communities, apparently, but in addition stated “it will take a village to stand up a league with such an unprecedented structure”, which can clarify why its courting large corporations as properly.
As a final notice, Blizzard hinted fairly closely that ESPN’s sources have been making an attempt “to leverage the media to deliberately spread misinformation as bargaining tactics or for other competitive reasons”. Well.
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