Immortals looking to buy OpTic Gaming after $30 million investment

TL;DR

  • Immortals plans to purchase OpTic Gaming primarily to regain LCS access after 2018 exclusion
  • The $150 million valuation reflects OpTic’s permanent franchises in Overwatch League and LCS
  • Conflict of interest rules across multiple esports titles create complex team management challenges
  • $30 million Series B funding fuels acquisition push and Brazilian market expansion
  • Riot Games approval remains critical variable for successful LCS re-entry

Immortals is strategically positioning itself to re-establish its presence in the competitive League of Legends ecosystem through a major acquisition play.

According to investigative reporting from ESPN’s Jacob Wolf, Immortals has entered negotiations to purchase OpTic Gaming, which has been actively seeking buyers since February according to industry sources.

In January, ESPN revealed that OpTic’s controlling entity Texas Esports, LLC established a $150 million asking price for its ownership stake. This substantial valuation directly correlates with OpTic’s possession of permanent franchise slots in both the Overwatch League and the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS), representing significant long-term assets in the rapidly evolving esports landscape.

Immortals stands among the most prominent organizations in competitive gaming, operating teams across multiple titles under various brand identities including Counter-Strike: Global Offensive’s MiBR and the Overwatch League’s Los Angeles Valiant. Between 2015 and 2017, the organization maintained a highly competitive League of Legends roster that rapidly gained popularity within the LCS community.

This successful run concluded unexpectedly when Riot Games rejected Immortals’ application for the 2018 LCS season. While official statements cited financial stability concerns and revenue sharing capabilities, many industry observers interpreted this decision as punitive action against Immortals for being an early investor in the competing Overwatch League.

Fueling Immortals’ aggressive acquisition strategy is a substantial $30 million Series B funding round. The organization has already deployed capital from this round, acquiring Brazilian matchmaking platform Gamers Club with strategic plans for further expansion throughout Latin America’s growing gaming market.

While Immortals represents a major force in esports, OpTic Gaming maintains significant competitive presence across multiple gaming titles. The organization fields competitive teams in CS:GO, Call of Duty, and operates the Houston Outlaws in the Overwatch League.

Regulations designed to prevent competitive conflicts across most esports titles suggest Immortals’ primary motivation for acquiring OpTic centers on regaining LCS access. Overwatch League regulations explicitly prohibit single entities from controlling multiple franchises. Comparable restrictions govern CS:GO major tournaments and The International in Dota 2, titles where both organizations have previously maintained competitive involvement.

Should the acquisition proceed, significant questions remain regarding the disposition of OpTic’s existing teams, particularly the Houston Outlaws and OpTic Gaming’s CS:GO roster, creating complex organizational decisions for Immortals’ management team.

Although acquiring OpTic would represent a strategic victory for Immortals, numerous obstacles could derail the transaction. The current competitive landscape remains unclear regarding additional potential bidders for OpTic and whether any competing offers approach the reported $150 million valuation threshold.

A critical variable involves Riot Games’ potential authority to block Immortals’ re-admission to the LCS despite acquiring a franchise slot. The acquisition’s current stage remains undisclosed, with no established timeline for when ownership transfer might officially conclude, creating uncertainty for players, staff, and fans across both organizations.

For gamers navigating complex Battlefield 6 mechanics or exploring weapon unlock strategies, understanding these organizational dynamics provides crucial context for the evolving esports ecosystem that influences competitive gaming across titles.

Action Checklist

  • Monitor official announcements from Riot Games regarding LCS franchise approvals
  • Track Immortals’ Brazilian market expansion through Gamers Club acquisition performance metrics
  • Analyze conflict of interest rule developments across major esports leagues
  • Review financial reporting on esports organization valuations and acquisition trends

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