Twitch (AMZN) and the Overwatch League (OWL) have agreed upon a 2-year media rights deal worth at least $90 million dollars (the biggest deal in esports history); enabling the live-streaming video platform to broadcast all league matches, starting with the first match of the inaugural season tonight at 7p EST. Twitch will be the exclusive worldwide (minus China) digital provider of the league, broadcasting all regular-season, playoff and championship matches in 3 different languages (English, Chinese, French). To drive viewership and engagement, the league and its broadcast partner will introduce a program that rewards the league’s biggest fans and give them a chance to root on their favorite gamers/teams with OWL “cheermotes”.
Howie Long-Short: ATVI shares are up 480% (from $11.52 in ‘13) over the last 5 years (to $66.19 at Tuesday’s close), while most reporting a Q3 record $1.9 billion for revenue generated (+17% YOY) and raising full-year revenue guidance from $6.4 billion to $6.68 billion ($2.08/share), in early November. CEO Robert Kotick has tried to temper expectations for the Overwatch League saying, “the first season is really about building a solid foundation”; but news that the company has recently launched a consumer products division (which will sell OWL skins) combined with the newly signed broadcast deal, would seem to raise the bar.
Fan Marino: The league has announced 12 franchises (2 6-team divisions), with Patriots owner Bob Kraft, Mets COO Jeff Wilpin, Rams owners Stan & Josh Kroenke, Sacramento Kings co-owners Andy Miller/Mark Mastrov, Texas Rangers co-owner Neil Liebman and the CEO of Comcast Spectacor (owns Flyers) Dave Scott are among the pro sports owners that have purchased (or made an investment into) teams. Owners paid $20 million for the rights to participate in the new league.
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