Complete guide to 2022 Call of Duty League teams, ownership groups, and strategic insights for esports enthusiasts
Understanding the CDL Franchise Revolution
The competitive Call of Duty landscape underwent a seismic transformation in 2020, shifting from its traditional open circuit format to a structured franchise model. This comprehensive guide examines every team competing in the 2022 Call of Duty League season and the powerful ownership groups driving their operations.
The 2022 Call of Duty League season represents the third year of franchised competition, building upon foundational changes implemented after the 2021 Cold War season that reshaped professional Call of Duty’s competitive ecosystem.
For over a decade, Call of Duty operated as an open competitive circuit where any organization could qualify for major tournaments through competitive performance. The 2020 franchising initiative completely restructured this approach, establishing city-based franchises that required substantial financial investment for entry—a move mirroring traditional sports league models.
Twelve founding franchises formed the league’s initial roster, and as the league enters its third competitive season, persistent speculation surrounds potential expansion teams and additional market entries. The strategic value of these franchises continues to appreciate as the esports industry matures.
Activision established franchise spots at approximately $25 million each, creating significant barriers to entry that ensured only well-capitalized organizations could participate. The subsequent buying and selling of these franchises has demonstrated their substantial value appreciation and the serious financial commitments required to compete at this elite level.
Comprehensive Team Ownership Breakdown
Atlanta FaZe Roster: Arcitys, Simp, aBeZy, Cellium
Cox Enterprises, a major American media conglomerate operating the extensive Cox Communications network encompassing television, radio, newspapers, and advertising representation, serves as the primary force establishing Atlanta’s Call of Duty presence. Their strategic partnership with globally recognized esports organization FaZe Clan represents a powerful synergy between traditional media and digital native gaming culture.
New York Subliners Roster: Crimsix, Clayster, HyDra and Neptune
Building upon their successful Overwatch League venture with sister organization NYXL, Sterling Equities—ownership group of the New York Mets Major League Baseball franchise—expanded into Call of Duty beginning in 2020. Their experience operating professional sports franchises provides crucial infrastructure and business management capabilities.
The organization has achieved moderate competitive success since entry, but their 2022 roster composition blending veteran championship experience with promising emerging talent positions them as legitimate championship contenders.
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Toronto Ultra Roster: Bance, Cammy, CleanX, Insight
Toronto’s franchise maintains deep connections to competitive Call of Duty history, with OverActive Media serving as parent company for the organization previously known to longtime fans as Splyce. This established brand recognition provides immediate fan engagement advantages.
Their diversified esports portfolio includes MAD Lions competing in CS:GO and League of Legends, plus the Overwatch League’s Toronto Defiant, creating valuable cross-promotional opportunities and operational efficiencies.
Paris Legion Roster: Felo, Decemate, Temp, John
Paris Legion represents one of only two European-based franchises in the entire Call of Duty League, with ownership residing with c0ntact Gaming LLC—the same organization operating the Overwatch League’s Paris Eternal franchise.
c0ntact previously maintained a CS:GO competitive team during 2019-2020, but disappointing competitive results led to roster dissolution. They now concentrate exclusively on Activision Blizzard’s franchised league ecosystem.
OpTic Texas Roster: Shotzzy, iLLey, Scump, Dashy
Possessing the richest competitive Call of Duty heritage, the Texas franchise operates under Team Envy ownership with operational management handled by OpTic Gaming following their landmark 2021 merger. This combination unites two of competitive Call of Duty’s most legendary organizations.
Both organizations boast Call of Duty World Championship pedigrees—Envy secured the 2016 title, OpTic claimed 2017 honors, and Envy captured the 2020 Championship competing as Dallas Empire before the OpTic Chicago merger transformed the organization.
Florida Mutineers Roster: Owakening, Skyz, Vivid, Davpadie
Misfits Gaming, established owners of the Florida Mayhem Overwatch League franchise, expanded their Activision Blizzard portfolio with their Call of Duty League entry. Their extensive esports experience includes operating a franchise in League of Legends’ prestigious LEC competition.
Minnesota RØKKR Roster: Standy, Attach, MajorManiak, Priestahh
Among the initial franchises announced, Minnesota RØKKR brought professional Call of Duty to the northern market through WISE Ventures. The team operates under WISE’s esports organization Version1, which maintains additional competitive teams in Rocket League and Riot Games’ popular tactical shooter Valorant.
WISE Ventures leadership includes the Wilf family, primary owners of the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings, alongside prominent entrepreneur and digital media personality Gary Vaynerchuk, combining traditional sports business acumen with digital native marketing expertise.
Los Angeles Guerrillas Roster: Huke, SlasheR, Asim, Gunless
Los Angeles’ secondary franchise operates under Kroenke Sports & Entertainment ownership, leveraging their established experience operating the LA Gladiators Overwatch League team. This provides valuable operational infrastructure and local market knowledge.
The Kroenke portfolio includes an impressive array of traditional sports assets: English Premier League’s Arsenal FC, NFL’s Los Angeles Rams, NBA’s Denver Nuggets, plus Colorado’s NHL and MLS franchises, creating extensive cross-promotional opportunities.
Los Angeles Thieves Roster: Octane, Kenny, Drazah, Envoy
As the premier Los Angeles franchise, 100 Thieves entered the Call of Duty League for the 2021 season, acquiring the slot previously occupied by Immortals Gaming Club’s OpTic Gaming Los Angeles after their brand acquisition preceding the 2020 season.
Original OpTic owner Hector ‘H3CZ’ Rodriguez strategically repurchased the OpTic brand while divesting the Los Angeles franchise slot, which 100 Thieves founders including Nadeshot subsequently acquired to establish their CDL presence.
London Royal Ravens Roster: Zer0, Nastie, Gismo, Afro
The second European representative in the Call of Duty League, London Royal Ravens operates under established esports entity ReKTGlobal ownership and management. Their organizational expertise spans multiple competitive gaming titles and regions.
ReKTGlobal additionally operates the Rogue organization, fielding competitive teams in League of Legends’ LEC, Rocket League, and Rainbow Six Siege, demonstrating diversified esports management capabilities.
Seattle Surge Roster: Accuracy, Mack, Sib, Pred
Seattle’s franchise operates under Enthusiast Gaming management, representing another major esports enterprise with diversified industry involvement across multiple business verticals within competitive gaming.
Enthusiast Gaming operates Luminosity Gaming, a familiar brand to longtime Call of Duty enthusiasts, with continued competitive presence in Valorant, Fortnite, Madden, and other titles. Their portfolio additionally includes the Overwatch League’s Vancouver Titans franchise.
Boston Breach Roster: Methodz, TJHaly, Capsidal, Nero
As the Call of Duty League’s newest franchise entry, Boston Breach occupied the slot vacated by Chicago Huntsmen following NRG’s departure from the league after several turbulent competitive seasons.
The franchise ownership resides with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s Kraft Sports Group, with day-to-day operations managed by established esports organization Oxygen Esports, combining traditional sports business expertise with gaming industry operational knowledge.
Strategic Analysis and Future Outlook
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The Call of Duty League’s franchise model has established a stable foundation for professional competition, with diverse ownership groups bringing varied expertise and resources. Traditional sports organizations contribute business infrastructure and marketing capabilities, while established esports entities provide gaming-specific operational knowledge. The limited European representation suggests potential expansion opportunities, while the concentration of teams under multi-franchise ownership indicates consolidation trends within the industry.
Strategic considerations for following the league include monitoring ownership patterns for potential roster implications, understanding the financial commitments required for franchise operation, and recognizing the historical context of each organization within competitive Call of Duty’s evolution. The league’s continued growth depends on balancing competitive integrity with commercial sustainability, a challenge facing all modern esports enterprises.
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