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Atlanta Reign
Atlanta Reign
Atlanta Reign
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The Atlanta Reign were an American professional Overwatch esports team based in Atlanta, Georgia. The team competed in the Overwatch League (OWL) as a member of the league's West region. Founded in 2018 by Atlanta Esports Ventures, a joint venture between Cox Enterprises and Province, Inc., Atlanta Reign was established as one of the expansion teams for the OWL's 2019 season. They became the first esports team to officially represent the city of Atlanta. The team's ownership also extended to ATL Academy, a former academy team that competed in Overwatch Contenders, the developmental league for the Overwatch League.

Key Information

From their debut in the 2019 season until 2023, the Reign were led by head coach Brad "Sephy" Rajani. The team reached the season playoffs in every season of their existence. Their best season came in 2021 when they advanced to the Grand Finals, the championship event of the Overwatch League. However, the Reign fell short in the Grand Finals, losing to the Shanghai Dragons.

Franchise history

[edit]

On August 2, 2018, Atlanta Esports Ventures, a collaboration between Cox Enterprises and Province, Inc, acquired one of the expansion slots in the Overwatch League from Activision Blizzard. The purchase price was estimated to be between $30 million and $60 million.[2][3] This acquisition had been a targeted goal for Activision Blizzard, with Pete Vlastlica, the president and CEO of Activision Blizzard Esports Leagues, expressing their long-standing interest in Atlanta.[2] As a result, the Atlanta Reign became the first official esports team representing the city of Atlanta.[4]

Atlanta Reign hired Brad "Sephy" Rajani, the former head coach of the San Francisco Shock, as their first head coach.[5] In late October 2018, the team announced their complete roster consisting of eight players. None of the players had previously competed in the Overwatch League; instead, the team sought talent from various Overwatch Contenders scenes. The roster included Jeong "Erster" Jun as the damage player, Blake "Gator" Scott and Park "Pokpo" Hyeon-jun as tank players, and Petja "Masaa" Kantanen as the support player. Additionally, the team signed Dusttin "Dogman" Bowerman as a free agent to bolster their support lineup.[6] The team later signed controversial streamer Daniel "Dafran" Francesca to their roster.[7][8]

The Atlanta Reign's first regular season match in the Overwatch League resulted in a decisive 4–0 victory over the Florida Mayhem on February 15, 2019.[9] This initial success helped propel them to finish Stage 1 with a 4–3 record, securing a spot in the Stage 1 playoffs.[10] However, the team faced defeat in the quarterfinals against the Philadelphia Fusion.[11] Prior to the start of Stage 2, on March 28, 2019, Dafran announced his retirement.[12] In response, the Reign made roster adjustments, including the acquisition of Andrej "Babybay" Francisty from the San Francisco Shock.[13] Despite struggling in Stages 2 and 3 with a combined 5–9 record and no stage playoff appearances, the team found their stride in Stage 4 with a perfect 7–0 record after the implementation of the 2–2–2 role lock. With a 16–12 overall record, the Reign secured the sixth seed in the season playoffs.[14] In their first playoff match, they achieved a 4–3 upset victory over the San Francisco Shock.[15] However, they were defeated 2–4 by the New York Excelsior in the following match, relegating them to the lower bracket.[16] The Reign's playoff run concluded with a 0–4 loss to the Hangzhou Spark in their next match.[17]

Oh "Pelican" Se-hyun was named the 2021 OWL Rookie of the Year.

Prior to the start of the 2020 season, the Atlanta Reign made changes to their roster. They released three players and signed five new players. Among the signings were tank player Xander "Hawk" Domecq and damage player Kim "Edison" Tae-Hoon. These signings brought the total number of players on the roster to twelve.[18] Throughout the season, the team achieved mixed results. They advanced past the knockouts in all three midseason tournament cycles but fell in the quarterfinals each time.[19] In July, the Reign experienced the retirement of Babybay and the signing of support player Kim "Ir1s" Seung-Hyun.[20][21] They finished the regular season in 12th place with a 10–11 record.[19] However, in the North America play-in tournament, they defeated the Boston Uprising, 3–1, to secure a spot in the season playoffs.[22] Their first match in the playoffs was a 3–2 victory over the Paris Eternal.[23] They were later defeated by the Shock, 1–3, in the following round, moving Atlanta to the lower bracket.[24] Their playoff run came to an end on September 11 with a 0–3 loss to the Florida Mayhem, resulting in their elimination from the playoffs.[25]

After a season filled with player substitutions, the Atlanta Reign made significant changes to their roster. They decided to drop a majority of their players, retaining only Edison, Gator, Hawk, Masaa, and Ir1s. The team then signed two new damage players: rookie prospect Oh "Pelican" Se-hyun and hitscan veteran Kai "Kai" Collins.[26] In the first tournament cycle of the 2021 season, the May Melee tournament, Atlanta failed to advance to the regional knockouts after going 1–3 in the qualifiers.[27] However, they found success in the June Joust, reaching the interregional tournament but ultimately losing in the lower bracket finals to the Shanghai Dragons.[28] In the Summer Showdown, the Reign once again made it to the interregional tournament but were eliminated in the first round of the lower bracket by the Dallas Fuel.[29] They also qualified for the Countdown Cup tournament but faced challenges with Pelican's health and were eventually eliminated by the Chengdu Hunters.[30][31] Finishing the regular season with an 11– record, the Reign secured the fifth seed in the season playoffs.[32] At the end of the regular season, Pelican received the Rookie of the Year award.[33] In the playoffs, Atlanta fell to the Chengdu Hunters in the first round[34] but made a run in the lower bracket, defeating the Washington Justice,[35] Los Angeles Gladiators,[36] San Francisco Shock,[37] and Dallas Fuel.[37] Their playoff journey led them to the Grand Finals against the Shanghai Dragons, where they were swept, resulting in a 0–4 loss.[38]

In the offseason leading up to the 2022 season, the Atlanta Reign made significant changes to their roster. They decided to part ways with four players, including Pelican, who was transferred to the Houston Outlaws.[39] They retained Gator, Hawk, and Kai, and also added rookies Lee "Venom" Dong-keun, Christian "Ojee" Han, and Benjamin "UltraViolet" David to the team. In addition, they signed damage veteran Charlie "nero" Zwarg.[40] The Atlanta Reign's 2022 season saw the team rely on rookie talent to strengthen their roster, resulting in a relatively successful campaign. Notably, Overwatch Contenders standouts Ojee and UltraViolet provided the team with a stable and consistent backline throughout the year. Additionally, Venom and Speedily, who had showcased strong performances in the Path to Pro scene, made significant contributions in the frontline. A prominent figure in the Atlanta Reign's 2022 season was Nero, one of the Overwatch League's most veteran players. Nero's inclusion in the team's regular rotation was often dictated by the ever-changing meta of Overwatch 2. While tank player Gator didn't receive extensive playtime during the season, the Reign predominantly entrusted his counterpart, Hawk, with leadership responsibilities.[41] The Reign made it to the 2022 playoffs, but they were sent home following two consecutive losses to the Florida Mayhem.[42]

In the offseason preceding to the 2023 season, the Atlanta Reign underwent significant changes to their roster. The team announced in November 2022 that head coach Brad "Sephy" Rajani would be leaving his position and move into an analyst position.[43] They decided to part ways with several players from the 2022 season, including Kai, Venom, Nero, Ojee, and Ultraviolet, and elected to retain Gator as their new head coach. With only Hawk and Vigilante remaining, the team made new signings to strengthen their lineup. The Reign signed experienced damage veterans Lee "Lip" Jae-won and Jeong "Stalk3r" Hak-yong to bolster their damage role. They also added rookie tank player Kim "D0NGHAK" Min-sung to the team. In the support role, Atlanta secured the services of Han "ChiYo" Hyeon-seok and Kwon "Fielder" Joon from the Dallas Fuel.[44] On June 18, the Reign won the Midseason Madness tournament, after defeating the Houston Outlaws by a score of 4–1 in the finals.[45] Despite earning first seed, the Reign were the first team to exit the 2023 playoffs, suffering a 2–3 reverse sweep by the Hangzhou Spark, as well as a 0–3 loss to the London Spitfire.[46]

On November 10, 2023, the Reign announced that the team would be disbanded.[47]

Team identity

[edit]

On October 23, 2018, Atlanta Esports Ventures announced that the team Atlanta-based team would be called the Atlanta Reign. "We are excited to finally unveil the Atlanta Reign," said President and chief executive officer of Atlanta Esports Ventures Paul Hamilton, "We said from the beginning that we are building to compete. We chose a name that reflects that intention. We want to engage directly with Atlanta's passionate esports community and the city as a whole."[5][48]

The logo depicts a red phoenix inside a crest, with the rising phoenix representing Atlanta's city seal and new beginnings, as well as the team's name, representing "work ethic, reinvention, and excellence," especially that of the city of Atlanta. The official colors of the team are red, light gray, and charcoal gray.[48]

Personnel

[edit]

Head coaches

[edit]
Handle Name Seasons Record Notes Ref.
Sephy Brad Rajani 2019–2022 50–39 (.562) [49][50]
Gator Blake Scott 2023 14–2 (.875) [50]

Awards and records

[edit]

Seasons overview

[edit]
Season P W L W% Finish Playoffs
2019 28 16 12 .571 2nd, Atlantic Lost in Lower Round 2, 0–4 (Spark)
2020 21 10 11 .476 5th, North America Lost in NA Lower Round 2, 0–3 (Mayhem)
2021 16 11 5 .688 3rd, West Lost in Grand Finals, 0–4 (Dragons)
2022 24 13 11 .542 5th, West Lost in Lower Round 1, 1–3 (Mayhem)
2023 16 14 2 .875 1st, West Lost in Lower Round 1, 0–3 (Spitfire)

Individual accomplishments

[edit]

Rookie of the Year

  • Pelican (Oh Se-hyun) – 2021

All-Star Game selections

  • Dogman (Dusttin Bowerman) – 2019, 2020

Academy team

[edit]
Main article: ATL Academy

In November 2018, the Atlanta Reign announced that unsponsored Overwatch Contenders team Last Night's Leftovers would be competing as Atlanta's academy team. The team rebranded to ATL Academy and began play as an affiliate team in the North America region of Contenders in Season 3 of 2018.[51] The team consistently performed well, reaching the regional finals in both Season 3 of 2018 and Season 1 of 2019, although they couldn't secure victory in those matches.[52][53] The team also qualified for the Atlantic Showdown, where they finished fourth in the tournament.[54]

In Season 2 of 2019, ATL Academy achieved a perfect 7–0 win-loss record and a flawless 28–0 map record in the regular season, earning them the top seed in the regional playoffs.[55] ATL Academy went on to sweep through the playoffs, dropping only one map, and emerged as the champions by defeating Gladiators Legion in the finals, securing their first Contenders regional title.[56] Their victory in Season 2 qualified them as the top seed in The Gauntlet, an interregional Contenders tournament.[57] ATL Academy reached the grand finals after a strong performance in the lower bracket. However, they fell short against Element Mystic, finishing as the runners-up in the tournament.[58]

In March 2020, ATL Academy announced their withdrawal from Overwatch Contenders and went on an indefinite hiatus.[59]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Atlanta Reign

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Atlanta Reign was an American professional esports team based in Atlanta, Georgia, that competed in the (OWL) as an expansion franchise in the league's West Region from the 2019 season until the league's dissolution in 2023. Owned and operated by Atlanta Esports Ventures—a between and Province, Inc.—the team was established in 2018 as one of eight expansion franchises to bring professional competition to the city. The Reign hosted homestand events in Atlanta during the league's early years, contributing to the city's growing ecosystem, and disbanded following the OWL's transition to a new competitive model in November 2023, amid broader structural changes in the league. Founded to capitalize on Atlanta's burgeoning tech and media landscape, the Reign entered the with high expectations, announcing an initial roster that included notable players like Daniel "dafran" Francesca. Their debut season in 2019 featured a strong Stage 4 performance, where they went undefeated (7-0) to secure a playoff berth, including a memorable 4-3 upset victory over the top-seeded San Francisco Shock in the . The team continued to build momentum in subsequent years, qualifying for in multiple seasons and demonstrating resilience through lower-bracket runs, such as in the 2021 leading to their Grand Finals appearance. The Reign's most prominent achievements came later in their tenure, highlighted by their 2021 Grand Finals run, where they advanced as the North American representative but were swept 4-0 by the Shanghai Dragons. In 2023, under a revamped roster, they peaked with an undefeated run through the Spring Stage qualifiers and clinched the Midseason Madness tournament, defeating the Houston Outlaws 4-1 in the grand final to claim their first title and a $500,000 prize. These successes underscored the team's tactical adaptability and talent development, though financial and structural challenges in the ultimately led to their exit alongside most franchises.

History

Founding and ownership

On August 2, 2018, Blizzard Entertainment announced Atlanta as the location for one of the eight expansion franchises in the Overwatch League (OWL), marking the city's entry into professional esports. The franchise, initially unnamed, was officially branded as the Atlanta Reign on October 23, 2018, with a logo featuring a red phoenix rising within a royal crest, inspired by Atlanta's city seal. The Reign was owned and operated by Atlanta Esports Ventures (AEV), a joint venture formed in 2018 between —a major media and communications company—and , Inc., a firm, with Cox holding the majority stake. The expansion franchise required an initial investment estimated between $30 million and $60 million to secure the OWL slot, reflecting the premium for new teams joining ahead of the 2019 season. AEV's leadership, including Paul Hamilton as president and CEO—a representative—emphasized building a sustainable organization rooted in Atlanta's community. In 2019, AEV established the team's headquarters in , purchasing a 13,200-square-foot facility at 1290 Collier Road for $2.27 million to serve as the training and operational hub. This setup was part of a broader $100 million commitment to the local ecosystem, projected to create 45 new jobs and foster community integration through events and talent development initiatives. Hamilton highlighted the focus on authentic engagement with 's fans, drawing parallels to the city's successful sports franchises like Atlanta United.

League participation and disbandment

The Atlanta Reign joined the Overwatch League as an expansion franchise for its inaugural 2019 season, competing in the West Division. In their debut year, the team posted a 16–12 regular season record, earning the sixth seed in the before exiting in the Lower Round 2 with a 0–4 loss to the Hangzhou Spark. The 2020 season saw the Reign finish 10–11 overall, placing 12th and reaching the regional , where they were eliminated in the Lower Round 2 by the (0–3). Ahead of the 2021 season, the league restructured into regional conferences, reassigning the Reign to the division. There, they achieved an 11–5 regular season mark, advancing to the Grand Finals but falling short with a 0–4 defeat to the Dragons. In 2022, the Reign recorded 13–11 in the regular season, securing a playoff spot only to bow out in the Lower Round 1 against the (1–3). The 2023 season introduced significant regional format changes, including qualifier stages leading to international events like Midseason Madness, which emphasized regional dominance while integrating global competition; this structure highlighted the Reign's strong North American play but exposed vulnerabilities in high-stakes international matchups. They dominated the regular season with a 14–2 record across stages, yet exited the playoffs in the Lower Round 1 (0–3 to the London Spitfire); their highlight was winning Midseason Madness, defeating the Houston Outlaws 4–1 in the final. On November 10, 2023, amid the League's shutdown and transition to the independent Champions Series, the Reign announced its disbandment, releasing all players and staff. The team's ownership had supported operations through the league's final season despite ongoing challenges.

Team identity and facilities

Branding and logos

The Reign's branding was officially unveiled on October 23, 2018, marking the first reveal among the League's eight expansion teams. The team name "Reign" draws inspiration from themes of dominance and renewal, directly referencing 's city seal through the imagery of a rising phoenix symbolizing rebirth and leadership. This regal motif underscores the franchise's ambition to establish a commanding presence in while honoring the city's historical emblem. The team's color palette consists of light gray, , and charcoal gray, selected to reflect Atlanta's modern urban energy and the phoenix's fiery ascent against a sophisticated backdrop. These hues are prominently featured across visual assets, providing a cohesive identity that distinguishes the from other league franchises. The primary centers on a stylized phoenix emerging from a heraldic crest, encapsulating the blend of mythological resilience and royal authority central to the team's thematic foundation. As the Overwatch League progressed, the Reign's branding adapted through uniform evolutions designed in collaboration with . Initial jerseys incorporated the core logo and colors for variants, while a introduced in added alternative patterns to enhance visual variety during matches. Team-specific patches and wordmarks further customized these designs, ensuring the phoenix crest remained a focal point. Official merchandise, including apparel and accessories tied to homestand events, debuted in via dedicated online stores to foster fan engagement and accessibility. The academy team, ATL Academy, utilized aligned branding elements, such as shared colors and logo motifs, to reinforce organizational unity.

Home venues

The Atlanta Reign operated from a custom-built headquarters in Midtown Atlanta, established in 2019 by Atlanta Esports Ventures (AEV), a joint venture between Cox Enterprises and Province, Inc. This facility, purchased for $2.27 million and supported by a $100 million investment in the local esports ecosystem, included state-of-the-art gaming rooms and practice areas equipped with advanced technology, enhanced lighting, and dedicated spaces for team operations, creating 45 new jobs. The team's only homestand was held on July 6–7, 2019, at the in , drawing total attendance of approximately 4,500 over the weekend in a sold-out event with 2,700 seats per day that highlighted the team's local fanbase. Due to the , the planned 2020 homestand was canceled, with all matches transitioning to virtual online formats to ensure player and fan safety. No further homestands were held, as the league shifted to remote regular-season play from team bases and neutral-site LAN events in 2022 and 2023. Following the franchise's disbandment on November 10, 2023, alongside the 's dissolution, the Midtown headquarters and associated facilities ceased team operations. The venue integrations with ' media resources supported broadcast production during active years.

Personnel

Head coaches

Brad "Sephy" Rajani served as the inaugural of the Atlanta Reign from the 2019 season through , compiling a regular season record of 50–39 over four years. Hired in September 2018 prior to the team's debut, Rajani drew on his prior experience leading the San Francisco Shock to the league's in 2018. His coaching emphasized aggressive dive compositions, which contributed to consistent playoff qualifications and the team's breakthrough 2021 campaign, culminating in an appearance in the Grand Finals, where the Reign were swept 0–4 by the Shanghai Dragons. In November 2022, following Rajani's shift to a remote analyst role within the organization, former Reign main Blake "Gator" Scott was promoted internally to ahead of the 2023 season. Scott, who had competed for the team from 2019 to 2022, focused on flexible hybrid metas during his tenure, guiding Atlanta to a dominant performance across the year's stages and securing the Overwatch League's Midseason Madness title with a 4–1 grand final victory over the Houston Outlaws. After the Atlanta Reign's disbandment in November 2023 amid the transition from the to the Overwatch Champions Series, Scott took on the head coach role for M80, a North American contender team. Rajani's post-disbandment activities are not publicly detailed.

Players and staff

The Atlanta Reign's inaugural roster for the 2019 season featured a mix of international imports and domestic American talents, reflecting the league's early emphasis on global recruitment. Key imports included South Korean tank players Donghyung "Daco" Seo and Hyeonjun "Pokpo" Park, Finnish support Petja "Masaa" Kantanen, and South Korean DPS Jun "Erster" Jeong, alongside Russian DPS Ilya "NLaaeR" Koppalov and American DPS Daniel "dafran" Francesca. Domestic players comprised American DPS Andrej "Babybay" Francisty, tanks Blake "Gator" Scott and Nathan "frd" Goebel, and support Steven "Kodak" Rosenberger. This composition aimed to blend experienced international talent with local prospects to build a competitive foundation. Roster evolution involved strategic signings and trades to address performance needs across seasons. In November 2020, the team signed South Korean DPS Oh "Pelican" Se-hyun from O2 Blast ahead of the 2021 season, bolstering their damage output and contributing to a playoff appearance that year. These moves exemplified the Reign's focus on high-impact imports to stabilize lineups amid league-wide roster flux. The 2023 roster emphasized a predominantly Korean core, signaling a pivot toward coordinated international synergy for the Overwatch 2 era. It included tank Xander "Hawk" Domecq (American), DPS players Kim "Vigilante" Jun-seong, Jeong "Stalk3r" Hak-yong, and Lee "Lip" Jae-won (all South Korean), along with support Kwon "Fielder" Joon and Han "ChiYo" Hyeon-seok (South Korean). This lineup powered a strong regular season, culminating in a Midseason Madness championship win. In November 2022, the Reign released several players including support Ojee, DPS and , and tanks and Speedily to streamline operations. On November 10, 2023, the organization announced its full disbandment, releasing the entire remaining roster including , Stalk3r, and Fielder, effectively ending operations after five seasons. These shifts underscored broader challenges in the League's sustainability. Non-coaching staff supported roster management through analytical and operational roles, led by President and CEO Paul Hamilton, who oversaw initiatives under ownership by and Province Inc. The team maintained a support staff of approximately 20-30 members during peak operations, including analysts for preparation and managers handling , though specific names beyond Hamilton remain limited in . Roster changes like the 2023 additions briefly elevated competitive performance before the shutdown.

Achievements

Team records and titles

The Atlanta Reign amassed a regular season record of 64 wins and 41 losses over their five-year tenure in the Overwatch League, demonstrating consistent competitiveness in the West region. This aggregate includes standout performances such as their 2019 debut season, where they achieved a franchise-high 16 wins against 12 losses, securing sixth place overall and a playoff berth. Their strongest campaign came in 2023, finishing 14–2 to claim the NA West Division title and top seeding in regional qualifiers. The team qualified for the playoffs in all five seasons, a feat shared by few franchises amid the league's evolving format and regional splits. Atlanta Reign's major titles include their victory in the 2023 Midseason Madness, where they went undefeated through the tournament and defeated the Houston Outlaws 4–1 in the grand finals to win $500,000—the largest single-event prize in franchise history. They also reached the playoffs final as runners-up, earning $700,000 after a 0–4 defeat to the Shanghai Dragons, marking their deepest postseason run. Additional accolades encompass third-place finishes in the 2022 Kickoff Clash ($40,000) and Midseason Madness ($125,000), as well as the 2021 Countdown Cup ($35,000). Overall, the team collected approximately $1.9 million in prize money across OWL events. Notable records extend to head-to-head matchups, particularly against rivals like the , against whom Atlanta posted a 4–6 record in regular season and midseason encounters, including a pivotal 2–3 loss in the 2021 Summer Showdown semifinals. The Reign's playoff consistency underscores their reliability, with aggregate postseason wins totaling 5 across 15 series appearances.

Individual honors

Several players from the Atlanta Reign have received individual recognition in the for their exceptional performances. In 2021, damage player Oh "Pelican" Se-hyun was awarded the league's Rookie of the Year honor, acknowledging his impactful debut season that helped propel the team to the Grand Finals. Support player Dusttin "Dogman" Bowerman earned selections to the in the league's early seasons, serving as a reserve in 2019 and as a starter in 2020, highlighting his consistent contributions in the support . In 2023, damage player "LIP" Jae-won secured a Role Star selection for his dominant play across multiple heroes, including standout performances that positioned him as an MVP candidate during the regular season.

Academy team

Establishment and structure

The ATL Academy was established in November 2018 as the developmental team for the Atlanta Reign, competing in the North American division of , the Tier 2 league serving as a pathway to the (OWL). Owned by Atlanta Esports Ventures—a between and Province, Inc., the same entity behind the main Reign roster—the academy was formed by signing the roster of the disbanded Contenders team Last Night's Leftovers, including key players like tanks FCTFTY and Shax and supports Void and Kai. This setup allowed the organization to build a talent pipeline directly aligned with the OWL team's needs from the outset. Organizationally, the participated in Overwatch Contenders seasons from 2018 through early 2020, maintaining a typical roster of 6 to 8 players alongside 2–3 coaches and support staff to mirror structures while fostering skill development. It served as a primary player pathway, with promotions to the main Atlanta Reign roster exemplifying its role; for instance, support player Dusttin "Dogman" Bowerman was elevated from the academy in February 2019, and tank Xander "Hawk" Domecq followed in October 2019, integrating academy talent into competitions. The team shared operational resources with the parent organization, including training at the Atlanta Reign's headquarters established in 2019, which housed high-performance gaming facilities for both squads to enable seamless collaboration and scouting. Operations ceased in March 2020 when ATL Academy announced its withdrawal from the Contenders season, entering an indefinite hiatus amid Blizzard's broader of the Contenders league in response to the and shifts in the ecosystem. This effectively dissolved the team, with remaining players released into OWL free agency to pursue opportunities elsewhere, marking the end of the academy's role as the Reign's dedicated developmental arm.

Competitive accomplishments

ATL Academy achieved notable success in Overwatch Contenders, particularly during its inaugural seasons. In the 2018 Season 3 North America tournament, the team finished second in their regular season group with a 4-1 record before advancing to the playoffs, where they ultimately lost to Fusion University 2-4 in the grand finals, securing $22,648 in prize money. The following year, ATL Academy continued its strong performance. In 2019 Season 1 , they placed fourth overall after a competitive regular season. They rebounded dramatically in Season 2 East, going undefeated with a 7-0 record and a perfect 28-0 map score in the group stage, then sweeping through the to win the regional 4-1 against Gladiators Legion in the finals on August 14, 2019. This victory qualified the team for the 2020 trials as part of the pathway for expansion slots. ATL Academy's momentum carried into the 2019 Overwatch Contenders Gauntlet, an international playoff tournament for qualification opportunities. Representing , they advanced to the grand finals but fell 0-4 to South Korea's Element Mystic on October 13, 2019, earning second place and $100,000. The team did not participate in the 2020 season after opting out in March amid the League's shift to online formats. The academy program's impact extended beyond tournament results through player development and promotions to the Atlanta Reign's main Overwatch League roster. Several alumni, including tank player Blake "Gator" Scott, DPS Garrett "Saucy" Roland, and support Dusttin "Dogman" Bowerman, transitioned to the professional team, contributing to its depth during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. At least five academy graduates appeared on the Reign's OWL active roster over time, highlighting the program's role in talent pipeline. Overall, ATL Academy maintained a strong competitive legacy with an approximate 70% win rate across 43 matches in Contenders (30 wins) and total earnings of $192,911 from five major tournaments between 2018 and 2019.

References

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  36. https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/pelican-is-overwatch-leagues-2021-rookie-of-the-year
  37. https://liquipedia.net/overwatch/Overwatch_League/2019/All-Star
  38. https://liquipedia.net/overwatch/Overwatch_League/2020/All-Star
  39. https://thegamehaus.com/overwatch-league/overwatch-league-2023-dps-role-stars/2023/09/29/
  40. https://www.invenglobal.com/articles/6820/atlanta-reign-sign-remaining-last-nights-leftovers-players-to-academy-team
  41. https://www.dexerto.com/overwatch/atlanta-reign-promote-dogman-from-academy-roster-100899/
  42. https://www.hotspawn.com/overwatch/news/atl-academy-pull-out-of-overwatch-contenders-go-on-hiatus
  43. https://www.over.gg/13330/atl-academy-drop-out-of-this-season-of-contenders
  44. https://liquipedia.net/overwatch/Overwatch_Contenders/2018/Season_3/North_America
  45. https://liquipedia.net/overwatch/Overwatch_Contenders/2019/Season_2/North_America_East
  46. https://www.esportsearnings.com/teams/861-atlanta-reign/results/3188-overwatch-atl-academy
  47. https://www.thegamer.com/atl-academy-no-longer-participating-in-overwatch-contenders/
  48. https://www.thegamer.com/atl-academy-saucy-atlanta-reign/
  49. https://game-tournaments.com/en/overwatch/team/atl-academy
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