Activision Blizzard "pitched its forthcoming Overwatch League to thousands of gamers at this weekend’s Blizzcon event, as it looks to grab a larger slice of the fast-growing esports market," according to Tim Bradshaw of the FINANCIAL TIMES. Activision Blizzard, which is the world’s largest games publisher, "is targeting the market as a key new source of growth," with most of its efforts focused on its 18-month-old fantasy shooter, Overwatch. The first 12 Overwatch League team owners are drawn from traditional sports, including NFL New England Patriots Owner Robert Kraft and MLB N.Y. Mets COO Jeff Wilpon, and so-called "endemics" -- esports specialists such as Immortals, Misfits and NRG. At Blizzcon, its annual convention in Anaheim, Calif., Blizzard "also unveiled changes within the Overwatch game that it hopes will make it more accessible to casual viewers as well as hardcore gamers." These include new camera angles for spectators and "home and away" team colors that "make it easier to follow the fast-paced action." Overwatch League Commissioner Nate Nanzer said, "Being an esports fan, for a long time you had to work at it. We want to make it super easy to be an Overwatch League fan" (FT, 11/4).
THE FINAL PIECE: ESPN.com's Imad Khan reported Kroenke Sports & Entertainment formally announced the "final brand for Blizzard's Overwatch League" -- the L.A. Gladiators. The team will "adorn itself with purple and white kits, drawing inspiration from the dress of Roman emperors." The logo will "feature a lion on a shield, and a stylized 'GLAdiators,' with a capital 'L' and 'A' highlighted inside." The Kroenke group partnered with esports team Phoenix1 to "help manage and lead" the Gladiators, while the L.A. Valiant will be run by Immortals. Considering that Valiant has partnered with AEG, it will "likely be that the team will be based closer to the Staples Center" in downtown L.A. (ESPN.com, 11/2).
