OWL explores new horizons with ESL and WDG Esports for 2024 season

Amidst growing uncertainty surrounding its future, the Overwatch League (OWL) has reportedly initiated discussions with ESL FACEIT Group and WDG Esports for the 2024 season.

In a landscape marked by uncertainty, the Overwatch League (OWL) faces a pivotal juncture as it nears the end of its sixth season. OWL organizers are taking proactive steps by engaging in preliminary discussions with esports giants ESL FACEIT Group and WDG Esports for the 2024 season.

ESL FACEIT Group, renowned for its role in various esports ventures including ESL and DreamHack, is being considered for a pivotal task. It might oversee the operations of OWL in North America and Europe, potentially signaling a significant shift in the league’s management and production.

Across the Pacific, WDG Esports is in talks to take charge of OWL’s Asian production. With a substantial history in Overwatch esports, managing Overwatch Contenders and the Korean OWL broadcast since 2019, WDG’s involvement could mark a turning point for the league.

These discussions, however, are in the early stages, largely due to a critical vote that will determine the fate of OWL. Activision Blizzard has disclosed the need for a franchise vote on an “updated operating agreement.” The stakes are high, with teams voting against the league’s continuation eligible to receive a significant one-time termination payment of $6 million.

The outcome hinges on a supermajority requirement—two-thirds of the current 19 OWL franchises must vote in favor of the proposed changes. This necessitates at least 12 or 13 teams to agree to the amendments, making the franchise vote a pivotal moment for the league.

Should OWL continue, it may need to do so without the direct backing of Activision Blizzard. Questions loom over whether ESL FACEIT Group and WDG Esports would opt for white-label production, keeping their names discreet, or incorporating the OWL into their existing esports circuits. ESL FACEIT Group, previously involved in other Activision Blizzard titles like Call of Duty: Mobile and the Call of Duty League, is a newcomer to the OWL landscape.

Notably, some OWL teams have already hinted at their decisions. Li ‘Xerneas’ Xianyao of the Guangzhou Charge has expressed intent to opt for the $6 million payout at season’s end. In contrast, the Chengdu Hunters, another Chinese franchise, has already departed the league, shedding light on the complexities surrounding OWL’s future.

For fans of Overwatch esports, clarity about the league’s future remains elusive. The verdict awaits the conclusion of the season and the impending reveal of the voting deadline. In the interim, discussions between OWL and potential third-party organizers continue to unveil new prospects for the competitive Overwatch landscape.

Header: Matthew Eisman/Blizzard Entertainment