The Overwatch League, once hailed as the future of esports, is on the brink of collapse. Activision Blizzard, the league’s parent company, is reportedly in talks with ESL Faceit Group, owned by the Saudi Arabian state, to dissolve the league and transition to a more open circuit format. This decision comes as a result of the league’s failure to meet expectations and declining interest from gamers.
The league’s team owners are expected to vote on the proposed dissolution and accept a $6 million payout each. This move would also mark the end of geolocated branding, which teams adopted six years ago. Notable sports business figures, such as the owners of the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Flyers, had invested in the league.
While this may be the end for the Overwatch League, competitive Overwatch will likely continue in some form. The league’s official statement on X (formerly Twitter) assured fans that they are focused on building a revitalized esports program after the completion of the 2023 season.
In October 2023, UK regulators approved the merger between Activision Blizzard and Microsoft. Despite expectations of Microsoft taking a more hands-on approach, the decision to outsource the league’s operations suggests a potential detachment from the company.
Overall, the Overwatch League’s downfall can be attributed to its flawed business plan and waning popularity of the Overwatch game. However, the future of competitive Overwatch remains promising, and fans can expect further updates as plans are finalized.
Source: DOTESPORTS
