Mentioned in this article
- FaZe Clan has partnered with Atlanta Esports Ventures (AEV) to launch a Call of Duty League team called Atlanta FaZe.
- The team’s red, white, and black color scheme mirrors that of FaZe Clan while the new logo incorporates the stylized “F” for FaZe Clan with the letter “A” for Atlanta.
- AEV—a joint venture between US-based telecom Cox Enterprises and financial advisory firm Province, Inc.—currently fields Overwatch League team, Atlanta Reign.
FaZe Clan will participate in the inaugural 2020 Call of Duty League (CDL) season by sharing a team with Atlanta Esports Ventures (AEV). The joint venture, called Atlanta FaZe, was announced along with its starting roster, branding, and color scheme. Terms of the partnership were not disclosed.
The Atlanta FaZe color scheme is red, white, and black, similar to that of FaZe Clan. The team’s new logo, which incorporates both the stylized “F” for FaZe and an “A” for Atlanta, was designed by FaZe Clan co-founder and owner, Tommy “Temperrr” Olivera. The logo design was intended to pay homage to “Atlanta’s rich culture while also crediting AEV’s progressive esports advancements in the state,” according to the announcement.
“FaZe Clan has its roots in Call of Duty and participating in this inaugural league enables us to remain true to that rich heritage,” FaZe Clan CEO Lee Trink said in a statement.
According to Activision Blizzard guidelines, all franchise teams in Overwatch League (OWL) and CDL are exclusively owned by the league in a manner similar to the NBA and NFL. This means any existing esports organizations cannot play under their existing trademark (i.e. Misfits Gaming competes in OWL as Florida Mayhem).
Long-time FaZe Clan rivals, OpTic Gaming, will represent the Los Angeles CDL slot using its existing trademark, only because parent company Immortals Gaming Club (IGC) has dedicated the team exclusively to the league.
FaZe is an established esports organization that, while born out of Call of Duty, has since expanded to other shooter games Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), Rainbow Six: Siege, Fortnite, PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS (PUBG), and FIFA. In addition, FaZe has become a lifestyle brand through apparel and strategic partnerships including rapper and songwriter Kiari Kendrell “Offset” Cephus.
As such, FaZe has not announced any plans to cease competition in other games, and it was not made clear as to whether Atlanta FaZe would be a trademark separate from FaZe Clan, itself.
The Esports Observer has reached out to FaZe for additional information about the joint venture and will update this news as it develops.
The 2020 Call of Duty League includes 12 geolocated franchise slots, 10 of which are owned by organizations with OWL teams. Thus far, the confirmed teams include Dallas Empire, Los Angeles Guerrillas, New York Subliners, OpTic Gaming Los Angeles, London Royal Ravens, and Toronto Ultra.
This leaves pending announcements for NRG Esports in Chicago, Misfits Gaming in Florida, Minnesota Vikings owners WISE Ventures in Minnesota, c0ntact Gaming in Paris, and Luminosity Gaming parent company Enthusiast Gaming Holdings in Seattle.
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