Overwatch League Free Agency Window Delayed Again to December 23

The offseason can be a rough place for Overwatch League fans, as well as members of the league itself. On Thursday December 1, just a day before the free agency window would open, Sean Miller of the Overwatch League announced that the window for teams to sign free agents would be delayed until December 23. In the announcement on Twitter, Miller noted that the five-player minimum would also be pushed back until March 13. Miller sites that the move to push the window date is aimed at keeping competitive integrity across the league.

(1/2) As we continue to work through the details and structure of the 2023 season, we will be pushing the FA window to 12/23 and the 5-player minimum deadline to 3/13. Our priority continues to be our teams and players, and to maintain the highest amount of competitive integrity

— Sean Miller (@sean_mmills) December 1, 2022

The free agency window is important to the league, as it is the official date where Overwatch League teams may sign free agents for the 2023 season. Prior to this, teams cannot sign contracts with free agent players, meaning they won’t be able to officially add players to their roster. The initial date was set in late November, however as news broke that Blizzard would not be renewing it’s current licensing agreement with NetEase in China, the date was pushed back to December 2.

[Related: 2023 OWL Offseason Roster and Free Agency Tracker]

The updated free agency window appears to be news to Overwatch League teams as well. Aaron “Pre” Heckman of the Boston Uprising went to Twitter to express his disapproval with the updated timeline.

Once was fine, maybe. Twice, THE DAY BEFORE when teams have been working themselves to the bone to get offers in order, negotiate with players, run tryouts, to give their teams a chance of winning just to have it blown up with no warning at the 11th hour is totally unacceptable. https://t.co/ci0MzSubB5

— PRE – Uprising (@PRE_owl) December 1, 2022

The delay is most likely due to the licensing agreement issue that has put the Chinese teams in limbo. For both players and organizations, the uncertainty surrounding Overwatch in China has now put the league in a bind. Providing extra time for that situation to resolve allows Chinese players a chance to find teams if necessary, but now puts the rest of the League in a difficult situation.

Sadly for fans, roster announcements will probably arrive at the same time as Santa Claus.

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Featured image courtesy of the Overwatch League

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