According to a number of sources connected to ESPN, Activision Blizzard is finalizing a deal to sell a new slot in its professional Overwatch esports league. The new team is expected to sell for $35 million and will be run by the esports organization Splyce. This is an impressive bump in the sales price, since the 12 franchises from season one initially sold for $20 million.
The owners of this Toranto team will be Canadian entrepreneur Michael Kimel, his family, and Splyce investor OverActive Media. Kimel is also a minority owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
A few weeks ago, Atlanta and Guangzhou teams joined the Overwatch League. Activision Blizzard Esports Leagues CEO Pete Vlastelica said the league anticipates selling six slots across North America, Europe and Asia-Oceania. Free agency for expansion teams begins on September 9.
[Source: ESPN]