North American esports organization Tempo Storm has purchased the North American Challenger Series slot owned by Dream Team, sources close to both organizations tell ESPN. The team has not finalized any form of roster or coaching staff but intends to do so before the beginning of the Challenger season in 2017.
Sources say that the slot sold for roughly six figures, despite not stating a specific amount. Dream Team was among the five of six Challenger teams, including NRG eSports, Nova eSports, Eanix and Team Liquid Academy, fielding offers for their Challenger spots during the offseason.
The sale to Tempo Storm came after that organization attempted to enter the League of Legends competitive space for a over a year. In May, Tempo Storm owner Andrey "Reynad" Yanyuk spoke on his Twitch livestream about a failed deal between North American League Championship Series Team Impulse to purchase their spot, claiming that the owner of Impulse raised the price to nearly $1.5 million during the last minute of the deal. That spot later sold to Paramount Pictures President Rob Moore, his son Michael and Happy Madison partner Jack Giarraputo.
Tempo Storm, founded by former Magic the Gathering and current Hearthstone pro Yanyuk in 2014 as a Hearthstone guide site, expanded into esports later that year. Since then it became best-known for its participation in Blizzard titles, such as Hearthstone, Heroes of the Storm, Overwatch and World of Warcraft. It also houses players in fighting games and FIFA.
The spot is the first of the five up for sale to find a new home, although sources indicate NRG, Nova and Eanix are all likely to sell and be announced by December. Apex Pride's fate is uncertain, with no plans for the team announced after the sale of Apex and Team Dignitas to the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers in September.
Dream Team declined to comment on this report. Tempo Storm did not respond to a request for comment on this report.