OWL Franchises Offered $6 Million to Terminate League

The way forward for the Overwatch League is trying a bit much less sure this week. With the Activision Blizzard buyout seemingly going forward, and the OWL Grand Finals arising, issues appeared a bit brighter than just a few months in the past. Nevertheless, a current provide from Blizzard to the franchise holders of the group have thrown that into doubt. OWL Franchises have been provided $6 million to depart the League.

In a quarterly earnings report, Activision Blizzard has offered updates on the price and earnings of tis numerous esports. With Hearthstone esports basically shut down, Blizzard’s primary occasion proper now could be positively the Overwatch League. Declining viewing figures have been occurring for some time now although and franchise holders of the League have more and more been public issues dealing with them given the hefty charges to function a group. The OWL is trying to resolve that downside with OWL franchises provided $6 million to depart the League completely.

© Overwatch League

OWL Franchises Supplied Hundreds of thousands to Depart the League

One group has already stepped out of the League this season. It has been compelled to make use of Contenders groups in a single half of the competitors. Whereas a enjoyable approach to open issues up, this forged loads of doubts on the way forward for their franchise system. This required group house owners to purchase a slot within the league for big charges. That’s as a substitute of earn a spot like contenders groups may. This new amended format this 12 months felt like a bizarre midway cease between a contemporary system and Overwatch’s extra controversial franchise system. It seems to be like Blizzard is trying to change the format completely although. Or simply quit on aggressive Overwatch as a complete.

Blizzard will probably be imposing a brand new working settlement. This could implement modifications to the settlement, one thing which has even led to them in search of collective authorized illustration in opposition to Blizzard up to now. The groups will vote on an upcoming working settlement. In the event that they don’t vote to proceed, a termination price will probably be paid to every of them. OWL Franchises have been provided $6 million every within the termination price.

Different sources have indicated one other 50 folks have been laid off in Activision Blizzard esports this week simply forward of this information. This all makes the modifications a bit clearer, however the way forward for competitive Overwatch could be very a lot unsure.

Way forward for the Overwatch League

The commissioner of the Overwatch League has mentioned the corporate continues to be dedicated to persevering with the League. Given the quite a few issues dealing with it although, that termination price may look tempting to franchisees.

With the OWL franchises provided $6 million to depart aggressive Overwatch, we may very well be a whole restart. This is likely to be the time for the Overwatch League to change to a extra open democratic format for esports. It’s a system for aggressive gaming that works nicely for free-to-play video games like Fortnite and Apex Legends. With rising layoffs in Blizzard esports and dwindling viewer numbers although, we is likely to be trying on the finish of Overwatch esports.