Over the years, the OWL faced numerous challenges, including shifts in its broadcasting platform from Twitch to YouTube, impacting viewership. Additionally, allegations of widespread sexual harassment and discrimination at Activision Blizzard led to sponsors like Coca-Cola, T-Mobile, and Kellogg’s distancing themselves from the league.
The esports ecosystem also grappled with regional challenges, with the absence of Blizzard games, including Overwatch 2, in China due to the end of the partnership with NetEase. Moreover, the league faced financial pressures, as team owners asserted they were not generating sufficient revenue despite high operating costs.
