One of the newer expansion teams to the Overwatch League, the Atlanta Reign, have finally revealed their roster for the upcoming 2019 season. After teasing the possibility of signing controversial streamer Daniel “dafran” Francesca for some time, the organization confirmed the signing in a pretty unique way, with a large donation to dafran’s stream that included a link to the announcement video.
Dafran will be joined in the DPS position by Jeong “Erster” Joon and Ilya “NLaaeR” Koppalov, while Park “Pokpo” Hyun-jun, Seo “DACO” Dong-hyeong, and Blake “Gator” Scott have been revealed as the teams tank players, and Steven “Kodak” Rosenberger and Petja “Masaa” Kantanen have been revealed as the teams support players. While the majority of the roster have made their names in the Overwatch Contenders scene, the overall team announcement is overshadowed by the signing of dafran, given his controversial past in the scene.
When it Reigns, it pours!
— Atlanta Reign (@ATLReign) October 28, 2018
Welcome your Atlanta Reign to Season 2 of the Overwatch League! #LetItReign
?: https://t.co/bV96k3GOTO pic.twitter.com/Bo71oY37Ee
Dafran was previously banned from Overwatch Contenders season one and disqualified from all Blizzard sanctioned events for an entire competitive season after allegations of throwing games on stream. On top of these restrictions, dafran was also suspended from his team roster on Selfless.
“While dafran will no longer be playing with our team, we will be assisting him in finding the help, counseling, and guidance that he needs to improve his mental and emotional well-being,” Brad Rajani, former Selfless team owner and current Atlanta Head Coach, said in a statement in June 2017. “He is a dear friend, and we will be as supportive as possible during this time off from competitive play, so that he can come back stronger and better than ever.”
While dafran’s fans are certainly excited about the news that he will be joining the Overwatch League, it remains to be seen if his tenure will be a success, or if he will end up like fellow controversial streamer Félix “xQc” Lengyel.
