Who Started Overwatch League?
The Overwatch League (OWL) is a professional esports league for the popular team-based first-person shooter game Overwatch. The league was founded by Blizzard Entertainment, the same company that developed the game. The OWL is considered the first "truly global professional esports league," featuring franchised teams representing cities across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Early Beginnings
The idea of an Overwatch professional league was first conceived in 2016, shortly after the game’s release. Blizzard Entertainment, known for its successful esports leagues such as the World of Warcraft Arena World Championship and the Hearthstone Championship Tour, saw an opportunity to create a similar league for Overwatch.
The First Teams
The first seven teams to join the Overwatch League were announced in November 2017. These teams were:
• Boston Uprising: Owned by Kraft Sports and Entertainment
• New York Excelsior: Owned by Immortals
• San Francisco Shock: Owned by NRG Esports
• Los Angeles Valiant: Owned by Immortals
• Florida Mayhem: Owned by Misfits Gaming Group
• Shanghai Dragons: Owned by Nenking Group
• Seoul Dynasty: Owned by KB Gaming
League Structure
The Overwatch League is divided into two conferences: the Atlantic Conference and the Pacific Conference. Each conference consists of seven teams, with the top four teams from each conference advancing to the playoffs. The playoffs are a single-elimination tournament, with the winner being crowned the OWL champion.
Season Structure
The OWL season is divided into two stages: the regular season and the playoffs. The regular season typically runs from February to July, with each team playing 28 matches. The top teams from each conference then advance to the playoffs, which take place in July and August.
Notable Players and Coaches
The OWL has featured many notable players and coaches throughout its history. Some of the most successful players include:
• Kwon "Fielder" Joon: A Korean player who has played for the Atlanta Reign and is considered one of the best players in the league.
• Han "ChiYo" Hyeon-seok: A Korean player who has played for the Atlanta Reign and is known for his aggressive playstyle.
• Lee "Fearless" Eui-Seok: A Korean player who has played for the Houston Outlaws and is known for his incredible mechanics.
Coaches
The OWL has also featured many notable coaches, including:
• Jeff "Sideshow" Piasky: A former player and coach who has worked with several teams in the league.
• Toho "Toho" Kim: A Korean coach who has worked with several teams in the league, including the Seoul Dynasty.
Prize Pool
The OWL has a significant prize pool, with the champion team receiving a minimum of $3.5 million. The total prize pool for the 2020 season was $5.5 million.
Conclusion
The Overwatch League was founded by Blizzard Entertainment and has become one of the most popular esports leagues in the world. The league features franchised teams representing cities across North America, Europe, and Asia, and has a significant prize pool. The league has also featured many notable players and coaches throughout its history, and continues to grow in popularity each year.