Activision Blizzard has today announced an updated Call of Duty League team deal ‘to ensure the success and longevity of competitive CoD’.
Teams will now earn increased revenues tied to the sale of their in-game merch (team bundles) as well as the Champs bundle.
Activision Blizzard is also increasing the existing event subsidy amounts for teams organising live in-person events, such as majors, opens and champs.
Thirdly, teams will receive a two-year minimum guarantee of revenue ‘so they can continue investing into the Call of Duty League with more peace of mind’, Acti Blizz says.
And lastly, all outstanding entry fees will be eliminated, and any fees previously collected from teams will be returned in full.
The announcement was just now made on the CoD League website by Daniel Tsay, General Manager of Call of Duty Esports at Activision Blizzard.
Daniel said: “While the Call of Duty League’s popularity continues to grow, evident by this past season where we saw the highest viewership in history and record-breaking attendance at our in-person events, we are redoubling efforts on the business side to ensure the success and longevity of competitive Call of Duty.
“For the better part of a year, we’ve been working with team owners on a new approach that sets us up for mutual success. Today, I am excited to share details from our updated team deal structure to help secure the longevity of competitive Call of Duty.
“Esports is where many of Call of Duty’s community engage with the franchise and where players have the opportunity to turn their Call of Duty passion into professional careers, and we want to ensure we continue to build a thriving future for this audience. Our teams have a huge role in shaping that future and by investing more into them with these changes, we hope to continue propelling the CDL forward.”
The Call of Duty League has a good selection of UK talent, from players to coaches, such as Nastie on LA Thieves and Insight on Toronto Ultra (pictured below) to name just two.
However, last year, the London Royal Ravens rebranded to the Carolina Royal Ravens and stopped representing the UK.
Toronto Ultra reveal $35m of outstanding entry fees have been eliminated
OverActive Media (OAM), owners of Toronto Ultra, a team of the Call of Duty League, made a separate announcement about entering into a new team license agreement with the league.
‘The agreement provides a long-term horizon for growth and a clear path to profitability’, it said in a press release.
OverActive Media said all outstanding entry fees, totaling approximately $35.1 million in Canadian dollars (US $25.5 million) had been eliminated.
OverActive Media will also receive a one-time restructuring payment of $2.8 million in Canadian dollars (US $2.0 million) in the second quarter of 2024.
“The agreement eliminates our remaining franchise payments ($35.1m) to the Call of Duty League. This is a landmark agreement for OverActive Media around a long-term commitment to the Call of Duty League that benefits our major stakeholders.”
Adam Adamou, OverActive Media
It also mentioned enhanced revenue streams for Call of Duty League teams, including direct team participation for digital in-game merchandise (MTX) and opportunities for licensed third-party tournaments.
“This is a landmark agreement for OverActive Media around a long-term commitment to the Call of Duty League that benefits our major stakeholders,” said Adam Adamou, CEO of OverActive Media.
“This model recognises the key role that organisations like Toronto Ultra and our fans and partners have played in the expansion and growth of Call of Duty esports, and maximises our opportunities while retaining the critical elements that have made the Call of Duty League such an incredible product.
“The agreement eliminates OAM’s remaining franchise payments ($35.1 million) to the Call of Duty League. This, alongside our strong cash position at the end of 2024 and the $2.8 million restructuring payment, puts OverActive in an enviable position during a period of heavy industry consolidation. We are well funded, have a strong balance sheet with no debt and see tremendous opportuntities for both organic and acquired growth.”
Related article: Call of Duty community reacts to GameBattles shutting down
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
