Activision unveiled the first five teams for its new global, city-based Call of Duty League on Thursday, with franchises coming in Toronto, Atlanta, Dallas, Paris and New York.
All five companies to receive franchises are also parent companies for franchises from the Overwatch League: OverActive Media (Toronto), Atlanta Esports Ventures, Envy Gaming Inc. (Dallas), c0ntact Gaming LLC (Paris) and Sterling.VC (New York).
OAM and Envy Gaming each operate other esports entities as well, running Splyce and Team Envy, respectively.
"In each of the five founding franchises announced today, we are partnering with existing Overwatch League team owners who have first-hand experience of our esports vision and capabilities and recognize the scale of the opportunity for a global, city-based Call of Duty league," Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick said in a statement. "We look forward to announcing more details around these cities and other team sales in the coming months."
"Overactive Media is building a world-leading, global esports platform that will redefine the future of sports and entertainment," OAM president and CEO Chris Overholt added in a statement. "Our expanded partnership with Activision Blizzard and the acquisition of the Toronto Call of Duty franchise signals yet another significant step toward our goal."
It is unknown when additional new franchises will be announced. The new league is expected to be implemented in the next game cycle after "Call of Duty: Black Ops 4."
-- Field Level Media