Blizzard have introduced the sale of the primary seven Overwatch League groups. The homeowners signify a mixture of organisations throughout esports and conventional sports activities, however one factor they’ve in widespread is numerous cash.
For a full rundown of Blizzard’s plans for the OWL and the way it’ll differ from present esports leagues, this is everything we know about the Overwatch League.
The cities and their homeowners are as follows:
- Boston, USA: Robert Kraft, Chairman and CEO of the Kraft Group and the New England Patriots
- New York, USA: Jeff Wilpon, Co-Founder and Partner of Sterling.VC and COO of the New York Mets
- Los Angeles, USA: Noah Whinston, CEO of Immortals
- Miami and Orlando, USA: Ben Spoont, CEO and Co-Founder of Misfits Gaming
- San Francisco, USA: Andy Miller, Chairman and Founder of NRG Esports
- Shanghai, China: NetEase
- Seoul, South Korea: Kevin Chou, Co-founder of Kabam
This strains up fairly squarely with what ESPN reported a few days ago, with Misfits the brand new announcement. Misfits’ curiosity was rumoured soon after the League was revealed, although, with a largely-Swedish Overwatch squad and an HQ within the UK, their taking the Miami slot is a little bit of a curveball. It’s good to see them be part of NRG and Immortals in representing grassroots esports alongside enormous firms trying to enter the marketplace for the primary time.
Blizzard’s press launch is filled with excited statements on that theme. Robert Kraft says: “We have been exploring the esports marketplace for quite a few years and have been ready for the appropriate alternative to enter.” He says Overwatch’s “unimaginable success” and the League’s technique, “that clearly represents the way forward for esports,” satisfied him to enroll.
Blizzard CEO Mike Morhaime emphasises the League’s attraction to followers of each esports and conventional sports activities, in addition to gaming typically. “We’re thrilled to have people and organizations who’re as enthusiastic about skilled competitors as we’re, and who’ve in depth expertise in all three fields, representing our first main worldwide cities within the league.”
Blizzard say they’re persevering with to courtroom curiosity within the Overwatch League and that these seven gross sales are simply the primary wave. Expect extra groups to be confirmed becoming a member of the League between now and its launch later this 12 months.
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