The former NA LCS and current Overwatch League organisation (Los Angeles Gladiators) has announced a rebrand from Pheonix1 to Sentinels.

Founded in May 2016 to compete in the NA LCS Summer Split 2016, their best finish came in 2017 when they finished 3rd, with their ADC Donghyeon “Arrow” Noh picking up the MVP of the split. The following split the organisation would sign Mike “MikeYeung” Yeung, who would go on to win Rookie of the Split and later sign for NA LCS favourite TSM in the first season of the NA LCS franchised league, in which they finished outside the top four.

After selling their spot in the LCS as part of the franchising process, Phoenix1 partnered with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment Group, owners of the Los Angeles Rams, Colorado Avalanche and Arsenal FC, among others. With this partnership, the two company’s launched their Overwatch League franchise, the Los Angeles Gladiators.

Speaking about the rebrand, Rob Moore, Founder of Sentinels had this to say: “The last year our priority was to build a competitive team and brand for the Overwatch league. Now that Eric Ma and the group have successfully launched the Gladiators, we have decided to relaunch our broader esports organizational brand as the Sentinels.”

Speaking about the brand itself, Riley Jamison, Creative Director for Sentinels had this to say: “The goal of the rebrand is to shift the position of the organization. With Sentinels, we’re turning a brand into a network. A network of connected, vigilant gamers who can rally behind our players. Watching their games. Participating on stream and on social. The logo is a symbol representing the connected tech aesthetic of the brand. The katakana letters spell out “Sentinels” and speak to the cyberpunk, future-Tokyo visuals seen throughout our marketing.”

With the rebrand and new focus, Sentinels have signed former Pheonix1 Hearthstone player Cong “StrifeCro” Shu and two new players, Josh “Impact” Graham and James “GreenSheep” Luo. The new team will look to compete at the upcoming Hearthstone Championship Tour.

Speaking about the Hearthstone roster, Charlie Lipsie, Director of Esports for Sentinels added: “We moved into Hearthstone because of the tournament structure supported by Blizzard. Since we already had the exceptionally talented StrifeCro, it seemed like a natural move to enter the new Hearthstone tour. We’re also exploring new opportunities in other esports. I’ve got my eye on a few more games.”

Esports Insider says: It’s great to see Phoenix1 reborn as Sentinels, the new name allows them to shed their League of Legends past and truly start afresh. Moving back into Hearthstone is also a safe first move and while we are not biased, it is great to see UK Hearthstone player GreenSheep join them.

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