https://www.gamespot.com/articles/blizzard-wants-overwatch-league-to-revolutionize-e/1100-6456015/

There's been much anticipation for the first season of Blizzard Entertainment's Overwatch League. As its first effort at organizing a global competition, the developers behind the popular hero shooter are looking to take things to the next level by thrusting the game into the broader realm of esports. With 12 teams scattered across the world, each with their own unique management and sponsorships, Overwatch League blends together many ideas and practices that are commonplace in traditional sports, but within the esport arena.

Ahead of the kick-off for the first season of Overwatch League, lead producer Jeff Kaplan (who also serves as Overwatch's game director) and league commissioner Nate Nanzer spoke about their somewhat disruptive approach to traditional esports. During our talk, they discussed the importance that community and transparency have in their league and what their hopes are for this season and beyond. While Blizzard Entertainment has deep ties within esports thanks to StarCraft's immeasurable influence over its nearly 20-year history, Overwatch looks to be the start of a new page for the developer and its connection to the growth of its community.