Just when Overwatch League fans were getting only an update on the 2023 Season, one team had to go ahead and make it all about themselves. Shortly after the Overwatch League Community Update, the Los Angeles Valiant revealed they are set to return to the Western Region for the 2023 season. The Valiant have spent the past two years playing in the Eastern Region, playing against the APAC teams in the process. The Valiant finished last in those past two seasons, winning just seven games in that time.
The announcement comes as a massive surprise to fans as the team was most recently under the management of the Chinese Organization LGE Huya. LGE gained controls over the roster as the league split into two regions at the start of the 2021 season. Immortals Gaming Club, the current owners of the Valiant and the spot in the Overwatch League, handed the keys over to LGE despite already having a roster set at the end of the 2020 season. This sudden change of direction was a shock to fans, players and coaches as it appeared no one was given fair warning that this change was imminent.
[Related: Overwatch League Season 6 Announcement Details: Start Date Revealed]
With the announcement that the team will return to the states, there are several other follow up questions that the Valiant left unanswered. Namely, who is now in control of this roster for 2023? A smart guess would be that IGC has once again gained control over the OWL spot and will proceed with signing new players. Another guess would be that with the NetEase/Blizzard deal falling through, LGE does not want the headache of moving the team to a region in order to play Overwatch. Could be that the deal between IGC and LGE has simply expired. Ultimately people will need to wait and see as more information becomes available.
Until then, Valiant fans get rest happy knowing their hometown team is indeed back on their home turf.
Featured image courtesy of the Overwatch League
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