Canucks owners bring pro esports team to Vancouver

The VancouverCanuckshave confirmed they're bringing a professional esportsteam to the city.

Canucksownership has purchased a franchise in the OverwatchLeague,which bills itself asthe world's premierproesportsleaguewithteams in the United States, United Kingdom, South Korea, China, and now, Canada.

"Esports has seen extraordinary success and continues to be one of the fastest growing industries in the world," said Aquilini Group managing director Francesco Aquilini in a statement.

"We can't wait to launch the team in Vancouver."

Younger members of the Aquilini family encouraged the Canucks' owners to "takea hard look at esports," said Adrian Montgomery, president of Aquilini Entertainment and head of the new team.

"We felt very comfortable that this would be the right place for us to enter this fascinating new industry," he said.

The team and owners say they aren't yet ready to unveil the team's name, colours and branding.

Millions of players worldwide

Overwatch is a team-based first-personshooter game played by more than 40 millionpeople worldwide as of last May.

Professional players make up the Overwatch League, whichwrapped up its first season in July.The playoff finalsaveraged nearly one million viewers per minute.

Vancouver's team will join for the 2019 season, as will a Toronto team.

Friday's announcement comes weeks after an international video game tournament packed Vancouver's Rogers Arena.

Overwatch publisherBlizzard Entertainmentmade this video explaining how the league works:

Justin Simpao is a member of the UBC esports club and is a fan of Overwatch.He's excited to cheer for a hometown team.

"With a lot of local talent and Vancouver becoming an esportsdestination in Canada, it's huge," Simpao said.

Local players will have a chance to makeVancouver's team when the free agency recruitment period opens Sept. 9.

The franchise will beginits inaugural season in Burbank, Calif., while a Vancouvervenue isarranged for the 2020 season.

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