The end of Overwatch League
Activision Blizzard, a major player in the gaming industry, has officially announced the conclusion of the Overwatch League, a high-stakes venture designed to capitalize on the burgeoning Esports trend with a franchise system akin to traditional sports like the NFL. The conclusion involves a reported payment of $120 million to the 20 teams associated with the league, symbolizing the quiet departure of all involved parties. Despite its significant cultural impact on fans of Overwatch and the broader gaming community, this decision appears to be linked to financial difficulties, leading to what was purportedly a challenging and economically unsuccessful venture for the parties involved. This move marks the end of a promising but ultimately troubled experiment in creating an enduring Esports ecosystem based on a franchised model, raising questions about the future strategies and approaches to Esports within the industry.
Keep Reading
Messi joins KRÜ Esports as a co-owner.
In a groundbreaking move for the esports industry, renowned footballer and Ballon d’Or recipient, Lionel Messi, has officially joined as a co-owner of the Argentine organization KRÜ Esports. This momentous step signifies the entry of one of the world’s most illustrious sports icons into the realm of esports, providing a significant spotlight for the industry on a global scale. The announcement, accompanied by a video release, gained extraordinary traction within hours, amassing over 10 million views and 120,000 likes, reflecting the immense public interest and support for this development.
KRÜ Esports has established its presence in competitive gaming by fielding rosters in VALORANT, notably partnering with VCT Americas, and operating an all-female team, KRÜ Blaze, competing in VCT Changers: LATAM. The organization further exhibits its versatility by participating in Rocket League, achieving a commendable top 12 finish in the RL Championship Series 2022-23 earlier this August. This diverse involvement across multiple esports titles highlights KRÜ’s commitment to competitive gaming excellence across varied gaming landscapes.
The inclusion of Lionel Messi as a co-owner not only provides KRÜ Esports with unparalleled visibility and recognition but also cements the convergence between traditional sports and the rapidly expanding Esports domain. This remarkable collaboration between a sports legend and the Esports world is poised to set new benchmarks for sports and gaming partnerships, contributing significantly to the evolution and appeal of Esports on a global scale.
