Overwatch League could bring in $720 million annually - Analyst
Most bullish scenario from Morgan Stanley researchers puts game's eSports revenues on par with WWE, 20% larger than MLS
Blizzard has said it wanted its upcoming Overwatch eSports league to be financially sustainable, and a new report from Morgan Stanley suggests it could be quite sustainable indeed. As reported by Dot eSports, the investment firm's report on the Overwatch League gives a variety of possible scenarios, with the best-case assessment of the endeavor bringing in $720 million in revenues annually.
That number is contingent on a number of factors, including Activision Blizzard establishing its Major League Gaming subsidiary as the equivalent of an ESPN for eSports. Additionally, the firm's high-end projection considers a 32-team Overwatch League instead of the 16-team operation currently planned, and increased audience and monetization as eSports in general becomes a mainstream endeavor.
If eSports does break through, Morgan Stanley believes the Overwatch League would benefit tremendously from advertising, licensing and sponsorship dollars aimed toward millennial male customers. Under that scenario, Overwatch's revenues would be just about on par with World Wrestling Entertainment, and 20% larger than Major League Soccer. However, if things don't break just right, Morgan Stanley still expects the league to bring in at least $20 million for Blizzard, with a $100 million figure given as a more middle-of-the-road target.