'Overwatch' League pros guaranteed at least $50,000 a year plus benefits

Looks like professional Overwatch players in Blizzard's ambitious, upcoming Overwatch League won't have to worry about securing outside income.

Blizzard revealed a handful of details around its premiere Overwatch esports league today, including player compensation and contracts, team roster limits, and when we can expect team rosters to be finalized before the start of the first season later this year.

The Overwatch League will have regular seasons and playoffs and be one of the first esports leagues to tie teams to specific cities, similar to traditional sports leagues like the NBA or MLB. The first seven cities participating in the Overwatch League were announced earlier this month.

Taking care of players

Overwatch players skilled and dedicated enough to sign with an Overwatch League team will be guaranteed a minimum salary of $50,000 per year as well as health insurance and a retirement savings plan.

Teams will also have a chance to earn "team performance bonuses" on top of that salary. It's not clear exactly how that performance will be judged, but we do know that they'll have to distribute at least 50% of it amongst the players, and that it includes money from winning playoff matches and other unnamed Overwatch League events.

Bonuses up for grabs in the first season add up to $3.5 million, with at least $1 million of that going to the first season's champions.

Blizzard has previously made it clear that it wants Overwatch League to be a full-time job for players, allowing them to focus on the game and grow as players instead of worrying about streaming or working elsewhere to provide for themselves.

Along with solid salaries and benefits, teams will provide player housing and practice facilities during seasons.

Players who sign with teams will have one-year contracts, which means job security regardless of performance or injury.

Incoming rosters

Although team rosters have not been announced yet, Blizzard revealed that teams will be required to have between six and 12 players on their rosters (six being the number of players on one team in a match).

Despite teams being tied to cities around the globe, teams can sign players from anywhere in the world.

Players on Overwatch teams outside the Overwatch League aren’t guaranteed a spot on a roster if their team owner buys an Overwatch League team spot. Although Overwatch League team owners _can_ sign players from their previous team organization, players have the ability to sign with a different team if they see fit.

Teams will have a window from Aug. 1 to Oct. 30 to sign players, which means that rosters will likely be settled on Oct. 31. Overwatch League's first season also probably won't start until at least November. Blizzard noted that unannounced teams may be announced during that window.

More information about team names and an official Overwatch League schedule will be coming later this year.