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Call of DutyHector “H3CZ” Rodriguez has reacquired OpTiC Gaming, according to a report by Esports Observer. Rodriguez sold OpTic Gaming to Immortals Gaming in 2019. However, 2020 seems to have finally brought some good news for Call of Duty League fans as they can expect the green wall to rise again.
Landed in Florida to Hector repurchasing @OpTicGaming @H3CZ ?
— Surge Octane (@OctaneSam) October 1, 2020
NRG Esports CEO H3CZ
The latest deal would include the coveted OpTic Gaming intellectual property and the Los Angeles CDL slot. ESPN has confirmed with sources that the deal is not 100 percent finalized, although it is at an advanced stage.
Call of Duty League rules prevent multi-team ownership. But H3CZ’s OpTic Gaming acquisition is independent of his relation with NRG Esports, leaving him in ownership of two teams. Rodriguez plans to divest his stake to comply with CDL rules in order to open up opportunities for other esports entities to gain a foothold in the coveted franchised league.
OpTic Gaming was founded in 2006 as a Call of Duty clan with exciting videos and a growing fanbase. H3CZ has since developed the organization which would soon expand to other games like CS:GO and PUBG.
In 2019, Immortals Gaming Club acquired Infinite Esports, the parent company of OpTic Gaming in a deal valued at $100 million. Soon after, Rodriguez joined NRG as co-CEO in September.
That aint us.
— Hector Rodriguez (@H3CZ) July 1, 2019
CDL OpTic Gaming’s Future
OpTic Gaming’s future in the Call of Duty League is uncertain. The League’s rules stipulate there should not be any co-ownership amongst teams. While fans have been clamoring for 100 Thieves, another popular esports org, to buy the Los Angeles teams, there has been no indication of Nadeshot’s interest in the slot.
H3CZ will continue his position as the co-CEO of NRG’s Chicago Huntsmen. The esports veteran has been creating regular content for the team and expects to continue to do so.
The move surprised the esports community with speculation rife about the structure of the Call of Duty League in the upcoming year.
It just feels frikin good knowing OpTic Gaming is back, like I don’t know what is going to happen but I just feel happy lolllll
— Jake Lucky (@JakeSucky) October 1, 2020
Is there a bigger rollercoaster of emotions than @OpTicGaming?
— COD Gamepedia • CDL Updates (@COD_Gamepedia) October 1, 2020
The Call of Duty League has seen a lot of interest in future investment partly due to the game’s strong Tier 2 scene. The Overwatch League was the first franchised league but a very weak tier 2 scene has left OWL gasping for air.
Call of Duty esports grew organically over several years and has a strong base in the community. Unfortunately, the franchised league has a multi-million dollar buy out price that pushed away popular brands like 100 Thieves away from the scene. It’s still unclear whether 100 Thieves or other brands like Rise Nation will enter the scene, possibly with a direct buyout or with a collaboration with non-endemic brands.
Written by Rohan Samal
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