Mentioned in this article Teams: Counter Logic Gaming Games: Overwatch

Esports organization Counter Logic Gaming has abandoned its plans for Overwatch, the company announced on Thursday. Despite consistent finishes near the top of several tournaments and qualifiers, the entire roster is being let go. CLG linked its decision to the inability to sync its plans with those of Blizzard’s Overwatch League.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]This move comes after a significant investment from Madison Square Garden that earned the New York-based sports company a controlling share in CLG.[/perfectpullquote]

“We were committed to making CLG Overwatch the best it could be,” said the announcement. “Many teams in the months prior had released their rosters in order to re-evaluate their position in the esport, but we still believed that the OWL could be the right fit for CLG. After months of discussion however, it was determined that entering the OWL does not align with our goals at the present time and that we will be parting ways with our Overwatch team.”

It’s no surprise that endemic esports teams have run into barriers, including the $20 million price tag, in attempts to join the Overwatch pro scene. Endemic teams that are making it in, however, are doing so on the backs of multi-million dollar investments, often from traditional sports organizations.

Interestingly, this move comes after a significant investment from Madison Square Garden that earned the New York-based sports company a controlling share in CLG. Just one day ago, MSG announced former Riot Games esports operation manager and Twitch VP Nick Allen as the company’s new vice president of esports.

Leaving Overwatch is definitely a strong statement by Allen and CLG. After months of uncertainty about the game’s premiere league, Blizzard has finally released details about its inaugural season. CLG now appears to be turning towards the other significant esports league, Riot Games’ League of Legends Championship Series—where the team just barely missed a chance to go to the vaunted World Championship.