With the first season of Overwatch League completed – congratulations London Spitfire! – Activision has started plans for the second season.
To build on the success of 2018, which saw over 10 million viewers, Activision is planning on upping the team count from 12 to 20. The majority of the 8 new teams will be set outside of the United States to build the international market.
In the first season, Overwatch League had three teams outside of the US, but these new additions will bring that number to 9. The new teams will be set in China, Canada, and France.
Along with new teams bringing more viewers, Activision will also make some of that filthy lucre by charging somewhere between $30 and $60 million for each new team to get set up. Basically, this means Activision could bring in nearly half a billion smackers before the second season of Overwatch League even starts.
With more teams from around the world also comes more advertising dollars. Activision has reportedly made advertising deals in the tens of millions with multiple companies, including T-Mobile, Sour Patch Kids, and HP. With the possibility of doubling their viewership numbers, the oldest third-party game company is sure to be looking for new advertisers with deep pockets.
Of course, there is one thing missing from the Overwatch League, a Midwest team. With three teams in California, three on the East coast, and five in the South, we have to wonder how long it will be before Ohio, Illinois, or Michigan get in on the action and teach these noobs how to really play Overwatch.
Who knows, maybe your favorite Ferndale based game lounge and eSports center will have to get involved. Overwatch League could use some Detroit flavor is you ask us.
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