More Details Have Emerged Regarding Overwatch League Expansion for Season Two
Robert Paul for Blizzard EntertainmentNew details have surfaced regarding Blizzard’s plans for Overwatch League expansion ahead of Season Two.
In an interview with German publication Handelsblatt, president and CEO of the Overwatch League Pete Vlastelica hinted at some of the league’s plans.
It has already been reported that the league intends to add new franchises for Season Two, and Vlastelica confirmed that they’re looking to expand by six teams. While that number has been referenced before, the interview also revealed the intended distribution of those spots – two in Asia-Pacific, two in Europe, and two in North America.
While Vlastelica doesn’t reveal exactly where those spots will be located, he does touch on the possibility of a franchise in Berlin. Blizzard are apparently very interested in adding a Berlin team to the league, and while nothing is confirmed for this round of expansion, they intend to have a team there “at the latest next year”, which would presumably mean ahead of Season Three if not by Season Two.
Vlastelica also confirms that Blizzard is focused on Paris, Amsterdam, and some Scandinavian regions as other potential points of interest in Europe. He states that discussions are being held “with stakeholders in Berlin, but also in France, Spain, and Sweden.”
Season One of the Overwatch League features twelve teams, of which nine are based in North America, two in Asia (Shanghai Dragons and Seoul Dynasty), and one in Europe (London Spitfire).
The original buy-in for teams was rumoured to be $20 million each. For Season Two, it has been reported that Blizzard is asking for up to $60 million from prospective new owners.
Despite the significant increase in price, it seems Blizzard is confident of attracting enough interested investors to expand as much as they wish. The full interview with Pete Vlastelica can be read on Handelsblatt, in which he touches on a variety of aspects of the league so far.