Two top Call of Duty League franchises are rolling into one as OpTic Gaming and Envy Gaming have merged to create OpTic Texas.
The partnership of CDL powers means that neither OpTic Chicago nor the Dallas Empire will compete in the 2022 season, with the Empire essentially becoming OpTic Texas.
“Bigger than Dallas,” OpTic Texas wrote on its updated Twitter account.
OpTic Texas is expected to be a powerhouse with a loaded roster that includes Seth “Scump” Abner, Brandon “Dashy” Otell, Anthony “Shotzzy” Cuevas-Castro and Indervir “iLLeY” Dhaliwal.
Bigger than Dallas.
Welcome to OpTic Texas. @scump @DashySZN @Shotzzy @iLLeYYY pic.twitter.com/1AdeP8q1mP
— OpTic Texas (@OpTicTexas) November 8, 2021
The new Envy/OpTic partnership also owns the CDL’s Chicago franchise, but that is expected to be sold before the start of next season. The 2022 season is projected to begin in February.
“Through the merger, Envy/OpTic acquired the Chicago team slot,” the new franchise said in a press release. “That team slot will be sold, with viable interest in the slot at this time. Envy/OpTic will retain the OpTic Texas team slot.”
Washington Esports Ventures, which owns the Washington Justice of the Overwatch League, reportedly was interested in purchasing the Chicago CDL franchise but that potential deal fell through last week.
With a new look and revamped roster, Envy/OpTic will try to improve on multiple disappointing finishes in the 2021 CDL season. The Dallas Empire finished in third place during the regular season, while OpTic Chicago finished fourth.
OpTic Chicago’s season came to an end in the second round of the elimination bracket in the playoffs. The Dallas Empire were defeated by the Toronto Ultra in the elimination-bracket finals.
–Field Level Media
