Overwatch League Partners With Fanatics Clothing Line For Multi-Year Deal
By Zac Cameron ·
Expect to see more esports merchandise as Fanatics teams up with the Overwatch League for their first esports merchandise deal.
Blizzard Games and the Overwatch League have reportedly signed a multi-year merchandising deal with sports merchandise provider Fanatics for the upcoming OWL season in 2019. Fanatics are already the official merchandise partner for the NFL, MLB, NBA, and the NHL, and this will mark their first foray into the world of esports.
While the financial details of the deal have not yet been released, Fanatics will reportedly hold both the U.S. and International rights to Overwatch League jerseys, fan gear, headwear, and hard goods according to the press release put out by the company today.
“Our collaboration with Fanatics—the first between a major esports league and a global sports merchandising company—allows us to reach even more fans and to provide them with high-quality merchandise and a best-in-class retail experience where they can shop for all our great Overwatch League gear,” said Brandon Snow, chief revenue officer of Activision Blizzard Esports Leagues. “Fanatics has a proven track record of success with major sports brands and we’re excited to work with them in expanding this part of our business.”
Very excited to announce our 1st esports partnership with @overwatchleague! Big things to come #OWL2019
— Fanatics (@Fanatics) December 3, 2018
Read more here: https://t.co/xKfsnWv35k pic.twitter.com/2YyHaQOKl3
“The demand for team gear during our inaugural season was very strong,” said Daniel Siegel, head of esports licensing for Blizzard Entertainment. “A significant number of fans—for regular-season matches at Blizzard Arena Los Angeles and at the Grand Finals in Brooklyn—showed up in jerseys to support their teams, and we’re thrilled to make it even easier for them to represent their favorite teams and players.”
“Esports has been on our radar for some time now and we are incredibly excited to mark our first deal with the best in the world in Activision Blizzard around their incredibly successful Overwatch League,” said Ross Tannenbaum, head of special projects for Fanatics. “Our omnichannel retail capabilities and real-time vertical manufacturing model will ensure that Overwatch League fans across the globe have unprecedented access to a wide assortment of merchandise to be able to show their passion and pride for the teams and players they love, whether shopping online, on their phone, or at one of many league events.”
The new deal should kick into effect before the start of the 2019 Overwatch League season, so fans will be able to choose the gear they want and support the teams they love for the upcoming tournament, including on-site retail stores for all the Overwatch League regular season matches at the Blizzard Arena in Los Angeles.