Activision Blizzard has officially announced the termination of the Overwatch League, a bold undertaking in the world of esports. The decision follows rumors of a financial quagmire, with each of the 20 participating teams reportedly receiving a $120 million payout. This brings the curtain down on a chapter that, despite its significance to fans of Overwatch, ultimately faltered.
In an official statement, a spokesperson for Activision Blizzard mentioned the team’s transition from the Overwatch League to a new competitive format. While expressing gratitude to everyone involved, the statement teased forthcoming details about their revitalized esports program.
The Overwatch League made its debut in 2017, a year after the game’s meteoric success. Founding teams reportedly paid $20 million each, with additional teams joining later for higher sums. However, the pandemic and the challenge of monetizing online events led to significant obstacles.
Discover More: The Overwatch League As We Know It Is Dead
Recent reports have confirmed that the dissolution of the Overwatch League has been in the cards for some time. As part of the phase-out, Microsoft terminated the contracts of 50 individuals working in its esports division.
