Overwatch League Players Will Receive Massive Salary

Blizzard recently announced the creation of Overwatch League. This is Blizzards own managed professional gaming ranking and competition system. With players throughout the world and the growth of esports, Blizzard deciding to do this might not surprise you. What they are going to pay the competitors, however, might make you raise your eyebrow.

Overwatch League – Not a bad way to make a living

There are many people who play Overwatch professionally and through sponsorship and endorsements earn good money. In fact, in some instances, obscene money. Blizzard has however confirmed that professional players who are invited to join their Overwatch League will receive a minimum salary of $50k per year. This would bring players to a truly professional level matching the average household income.

Yes, $50k may not be massive, but then again, consider that these people are being paid to play video games. I’m not going to go too deep into this rabbit hole, but for someone such as a professionally trained nurse. A $50k salary would be massive.

Are you a little bit jealous? Is so, you might want to look away at this point. Fancy reading about how Major League Baseball is suing Overwatch? It’s a lot more friendly and less jelly-inducing.

For those of you who have stuck around, Blizzard has also confirmed that on top of this $50k salary, there will also be significant bonus’ available.

A $50k salary and bonus’ to boot? Sign me up!

In a report via Nextpowerup, in addition to the $50k salary, players who compete in the Overwatch League will also receive:

• Private Health Insurance
• Retirement savings plan.
• Potential access to a $3.5m performance based bonus.

Quite how the performance based bonus’ will work is unknown. Maybe doing a 5 kill Reaper Death-Bloom? DIE DIE DIE!!!

Esports is clearly big business and Blizzard is treating it as such. I’m not a massive fan of esports, but I do find Overwatch an enjoyable watch. I am very much resigned to the fact that given my age and ability, I’ll likely never be a professional gamer, but then again, given the money involved, maybe it is worth a shot after all?