Esports franchise Team Liquid will "disband" its Overwatch team in the coming weeks and is "unlikely to pursue participation in the Overwatch League," according to sources cited by Jacob Wolf of ESPN.com. Sources said that the team is also "looking to sell" its spot in Blizzard's developmental league, Overwatch Contenders. Team Liquid will "join a growing list of endemic esports teams that have dropped their Overwatch rosters and do not intend to participate" in the OWL. Many of these teams have done so "because they cannot afford" the $20M price to enter the league. Team Liquid has "received investment from high-profile esports venture group aXiomatic." Sources said that the team does "not see the league as a valuable use of their capital" (ESPN.com, 8/7).
ROCKET MEN: In N.Y., Hannah Withiam notes 16 gamers "traveled to the SNY studios in downtown Manhattan Sunday to compete in the Northeast Regional of the inaugural 'Universal Open Rocket League.'" SNY President Steve Raab said, "In my professional lifetime, which is probably 30 years at this point, I can’t really remember a sports-related property or idea that has come onto the scene and generated so much interest and has such a big fan base. It’s remarkable when you think about it." Four of NBC's RSN's -- Philadelphia, Chicago, Bay Area and N.Y. -- "hosted the regionals" (N.Y. POST, 8/8).
