New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and New York Mets co-owner and COO Jeff Wilpon are creating a new Boston-NYC rivalry as they are among the traditional sports leaders to be announced Wednesday as new team owners in the Overwatch League.
Overwatch is a multiplayer online first-person shooter video game, and developer Activision Blizzard has sold the first seven Overwatch League teams of what will be a global professional league incorporating major cities.
The Kraft Group including owners of the Patriots and Sterling Equities — in conjunction with Mets co-owner Fred Wilpon — Jeff’s father — had made investments in mobile esports company Skillz in 2015. Now they’re directly in the esports competition.
“We have been exploring the esports market for a number of years and have been waiting for the right opportunity to enter,” Kraft, Chairman and CEO of the Kraft Group, said in a statement. “The incredible global success of Overwatch since its launch, coupled with the league’s meticulous focus on a structure and strategy that clearly represents the future of esports made this the obvious entry point for the Kraft Group.”
“We view our participation in the Overwatch League as a major opportunity to take a lead position where technology is converging with sports and media,” Wilpon, Co-Founder and Partner at Sterling.VC, a Sterling Equities venture capital fund, said in a statement. “This partnership with the Overwatch League and with some of the elite ownership groups in professional sports, offers a unique opportunity to connect with millions of dedicated fans, engaged and passionate about one of the world’s fastest growing sports, and to continue proudly representing New York.”
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Another traditional sports owner who will be owning the San Francisco-based Overwatch League team is Sacramento Kings co-owner Andy Miller, who is chairman and founder of NRG Esports.
Other cities with teams include Los Angeles, Miami-Orlando, Seoul and Shanghai.
The Overwatch League is slated to begin later this year, with teams receiving an equal share of league-wide net revenues through advertising, ticketing and broadcast rights. Teams will keep local revenues generated through their home territory and venue up to a set amount each year. Above the set amount, a percentage is sent to the league’s shared revenue pool.
Teams will also have a license to operate and monetize up to five amateur events in their home territory each year.
“Overwatch already connects over 30 million players worldwide. The Overwatch League will celebrate and reward our most accomplished players and give fans more opportunities to engage with each other,” Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick said in a statement. “We’re excited to be working with leaders from esports and traditional sports to celebrate our players and to establish the Overwatch League.”
Added Mike Morhaime, CEO and Co-Founder of Blizzard Entertainment: “We’re building this league for fans — esports fans, traditional sports fans, gaming fans — and we’re thrilled to have individuals and organizations who are as passionate about professional competition as we are, and who have extensive experience in all three fields, representing our first major international cities in the league.”