After months of speculation, the Houston Outlaws are officially under new ownership. The team was sold to Beasley Media Group, LLC, a subsidiary of Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc.
Immortals Gaming Club, the owners of the Los Angeles Valiant, took ownership of the Outlaws franchise in June when it bought Infinite Esports and Entertainment. Due to league regulations preventing an organization from owning multiple teams, IGC was required to divest ownership of the Outlaws. Activision Blizzard managed the Outlaws’ business and competitive operations while IGC owned the team.
IGC CEO Ari Segal praised the acquisition, saying that Beasley “have exciting plans to deepen the already strong connection between the Outlaws and the local Houston market and represent the ideal strategic owner for this asset.”
“Beasley is very excited to expand its operations to Houston, which is home to one of the largest esports fan bases in the US,” said Beasley CEO Caroline Beasley. “Our growing esports infrastructure and management combined with our experience with team Renegades, success in hosting and promoting large events and our national esports content hub—BeasleyXP—are key factors in our expectations for long-term returns from this investment.”
“The Houston Outlaws have a fantastic new ownership team and we’re excited to welcome the Beasley Media Group to the Overwatch League,” said OWL commissioner Pete Vlastelica. “We look forward to working with them and ensuring a smooth transition for the team, the players, and the fans. Outlaws fans are incredibly passionate and 2020 is going to be an exciting year for the entire league.”
ESPN reported in July that Houston real estate investor Lee Zieben had agreed to purchase the team, but that deal appears to have fallen through.
For all the latest on the Outlaws and other OWL news, from the lobby to the back office, keep an eye on The Game Haus for up-to-date coverage!
Follow Rainee on Twitter @Jezi_Belle for your daily dose of bad puns and emotional over-investment in Overwatch League and its players.
Follow The Game Haus for the latest on all things sports and esports:
Twitter: TGH Esports
Facebook: The Game Haus Esports