It’s not simply eSports gamers’ promotional offers coming underneath scrutiny. Dot Esports has learned that the Department of Justice has launched an antitrust inquiry into Overwatch League mushy wage caps meant to stop groups from shopping for their technique to victory. The investigation is not felony, in response to DE‘s sources, however DOJ trial lawyer Kathleen Simpson Kiernan is reportedly questioning concerning the lack of a gamers’ union that will let the league declare the identical labor exemptions you discover in standard unionized sports activities leagues.

The cap, which has by no means been publicly revealed, reportedly facilities on a “competitive balance tax” that successfully forces groups to pay twice in the event that they cross the wage cap — as soon as for the gamers, and once more for the league to redistribute funds amongst different groups. That cap was rumored to be $1.6 million in 2020, however DE understood that no groups had “naturally” damaged that cap primarily based on typical professional participant charges.

Activision Blizzard did not elaborate on the investigation, however confirmed the essential inquiry and stated it was “cooperating accordingly.”

This investigation will not essentially result in a significant shakeup of the Overwatch aggressive scene. It does, nevertheless, point out the rising stature of eSports within the US. Competitive gaming is now essential sufficient that participant pay is a big concern for officers, even there are not any main indicators of hassle.