It’s official – Blizzard has stated in clear wording that it is ‘transitioning’ from the Overwatch League ‘and evolving competitive Overwatch in a new direction’. This statement was handed by an Overwatch League spokesperson to GGRecon, and it comes shortly after Toronto Defiant formally withdrew from the League. It was all hinged on a vote, with Blizzard stressing that if teams chose to leave the League, they’d pay them a fixed rate return of $6 million each and let them go their separate ways.
For some organisations, leaving the Overwatch League isn’t the end of the road. Some, like Toronto’s parent company, OverActive Media, stated that they’ll be shaping up to return to whatever comes from this evolution piece further down the road.
All Good Things
In the statement that was passed over to GGRecon by the OWL spokesperson, it was explained:
‘We are transitioning from the Overwatch League and evolving competitive Overwatch in a new direction. We are grateful to everyone who made OWL possible and remain focused on building our vision of a revitalized esports program. We are excited to share details with you all in the near future.’
Recently, Esports.net covered the suggestion that Blizzard will outsource the management of Overwatch’s top-tier esports space to an organisation like ESL FACEIT. This came following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft, a company that hasn’t fared too well in the esports space of late. Given the value of Overwatch’s esports ecosystem and the high viewership figures, it doesn’t make sense for it to be abandoned entirely.
But, with claims of mismanagement having circulated for a while – and teams wanting to leave the OWL – something’s got to give. If it takes outsourcing to recapture the exhilarating essence of the Overwatch League but in an entirely new light, then that’s what it takes.
Related: What Are The Rarest Overwatch Skins?
Sadly, the statement that was handed to GGRecon didn’t share anything new. On October 2nd, the Overwatch League posted a message on Twitter that even boasted the same phraseology, so it’s still unknown as to what happens next.
Are you sad to see the Overwatch League go, or was it long overdue?
For more Esports.net coverage of Overwatch esports news, stay tuned
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