2019-09-05 – Overwatch League 2019 Season / Photo: Robert Paul for Blizzard Entertainment
Photo by Robert Paul for Blizzard Entertainment
The Overwatch League Grand Finals are done and dusted and the off-season is upon us, but that doesn’t mean the excitement stops. More than a few OWL players’ contracts are expiring and the off-season means it’s time for some teams to start restructuring. This gives any player who's now a free agent the chance to jump to teams and even if they’re still under contract. This fall and winter we’re likely to see some major trades change the face of the Overwatch League.
The OWL released a document that listed the current contract status of every single player in the league, so we don’t have to worry about speculation and what-ifs. As we make our way through October and into the beginning of November, here's a few things you’re going to want to remember and keep your eye on as far as team trades, restructurings and shifts go.
Dates to remember
September 30th: It’s already passed, but this was the day that the signing window opened. This means teams could sign any players they have with team options, negotiate extensions with current players under contract or sign players from their academy teams in the Contenders League.
October 7th: Teams that have finished their existing contract options may start to submit free-agent player contracts to the Overwatch League Office. Submissions for player trades can also be submitted for approval. This is when we can expect some of the bigger announcements, so keep your eyes peeled so teams social media.
November 11th: The 2019 Season agreements officially end and anyone not under contract for the 2020 season become free agents. These players are allowed to discuss contracts with other teams prior to this deadline to help facilitate team signing. This is another important date to pay attention too as any high profile players who don’t stay with their current team will likely be signed by others after this team.
November 15th: This is the deadline for all teams to have signed a minimum of eight players to their roster. It should be noted that players can still be signed or traded up through June 15 2020 at 5pm PT.
Some of the biggest and most talented names in the Overwatch League are potentially entering into free agency. Names like Lane “Surefour” Roberts from the Los Angeles Gladiators, Jae-Hyeok “Carpe” Lee from the Philadelphia Fusion or Young-Jin “Gamsu” Noh from the Shanghai Dragons. But what exactly does free agency mean and what does it mean when a player as a team option? If you refer to the list the Overwatch League released that details the status of all the players in the Overwatch League you’ll see them fall under one of three categories.
Free Agent: As of October 7th if their current teams don’t re-sign them, these players will be able to sign with any team in the Overwatch League.
Team Option: These players can be re-signed by their team for the 2020 season, but if they choose not to those players become free agents as of November 11th.
Under Contract: These players are still signed to their respective teams, but there are still eligible to be traded. So, if your favorite player is still under contract to your favorite team they’re not nessicarily safe from the off-season shuffle.
For a full list of all Overwatch League players and their current status you can check out the list released by the Overwatch League here. For more information as well as news about releases, trades and signings make sure you pay attention to Checkpoint XP’s social media and website as well as your favorite teams social media.
For more Overwatch and Overwatch League content check out more episodes of Low Team Damage!
Checkpoint Daily is Monday through Friday, starting at 5:00 p.m. ET, at Twitch.tv/CheckpointXP. Be sure to follow, turn on those notifications, and subscribe!
