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Boston Uprising
Boston Uprising
Boston Uprising
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Boston Uprising were an American professional Overwatch esports team based in Boston, Massachusetts. The team competed in the Overwatch League (OWL) as a member of the league's West region. Founded in 2017, Boston was one of the League's twelve founding teams. The team was owned by Robert Kraft of the Kraft Group, who also owns the National Football League's New England Patriots and Uprising Academy, an academy team for the Uprising that compete in Overwatch Contenders.

Key Information

Boston became the first team in Overwatch League history to go undefeated during a regular season stage, finishing 10–0 in Stage 3 of the 2018 season. After reaching the playoffs and finishing fifth in the final season standings in 2018, the organization returned to the playoffs only one other time, in 2023, the final season of the League.

Franchise history

[edit]

On July 12, 2017, Blizzard Entertainment officially announced that the Kraft Group had acquired the Boston-based franchise of the Overwatch League. On the decision to purchase the Esports franchise, Robert Kraft said in a statement, "We have been exploring the esports market for a number of years and have been waiting for the right opportunity to enter. The incredible global success of Overwatch since its launch, coupled with the League's meticulous focus on a structure and strategy that clearly represents the future of esports made this the obvious entry point for the Kraft Group."[1] In August 2017, the Kraft Group announced Chris "HuK" Loranger would be serving as and president of gaming for the franchise, where he would "oversee player acquisition, training, and daily operations".[2] On October 25, 2017, the Uprising announced their full roster, consisting of eight players.[3]

Early years: 2018–present

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Boston Uprising's first regular season OWL match was a 1–3 loss to the New York Excelsior on January 11, 2018.[4] Boston found their franchise's first-ever regular season win a day later, after defeating the Florida Mayhem, 4–0.[5] In April 2018, Uprising player Jonathan "DreamKazper" Sanchez was indefinitely suspended from the Overwatch League following allegations of sexual misconduct involving a minor. Shortly after, on April 9, Boston Uprising terminated his contract.[6] Following, Kwon "Striker" Nam-joo took over DreamKazper's starting position – a move that ultimately benefited the team. Throughout Stage 3 of the season, the Striker-led Uprising did not lose a single match, going 10–0, to become the first team to go undefeated in a stage.[7] Boston reached the Stage 3 finals; however, they lost the finals match against the New York Excelsior.[8] Prior to the start of Stage 4, Overwatch underwent a balancing update, as well as the introduction of a new hero, which would significantly reduced Striker's effectiveness. Additionally, head coach Park "Crusty" Dae-hee left the team to join the San Francisco Shock.[7] The Uprising finished the regular season in third place with a 26–14 record.[9] The Uprising's postseason came to a quick end, as they were defeated in the quarterfinals by the Philadelphia Fusion, two series to one.[7]

Boston Uprising on stage in 2019

Boston went through major roster changes prior to the 2019 season, including the departure of analyst Mohid "MrBleeple" Asjid and the addition of Jordan "Gunba" Graham.[10][11] Among other signings, the team picked up tank player Cameron "Fusions" Bosworth, who had recently performed well at the 2018 Overwatch World Cup.[12] Additionally, the Uprising transferred Striker to the San Francisco Shock and tank Noh "Gamsu" Young-jin to the Shanghai Dragons.[13][14] Throughout the entire 2019 season, the Uprising went without a head coach.[15] Through the first half of the season, the Uprising posted a middling 7–7 record. However, in the second half of the season, they only picked up a single win, finishing regular season in 19th place with an 8–20 record.[16][17]

Following the 2019 season, the Uprising picked up former Florida Mayhem coach Vytis "Mineral" Lasaitis as their new head coach, marking the first time that the organization had a head coach in 16 months.[15] The team released all but three of their players: Fusion, tank Park "Axxiom" Min-sub, and damage player Kelsey "Colourhex" Birse. Boston signed mostly rookies to their squad, leaving many analysts predicting them to finish near the bottom of the standings.[17][16] Throughout the season, Boston parted ways with four players, and tank player Park "Axxiom" Min-seob became inactive for medical reasons. The instability of the roster proved too much for the team to overcome, as Boston ended the season with a league-worst 2–19 record and found no success in any of the league's midseason tournaments or in the postseason play-in tournament.[18]

Prior to the 2021 season, the Uprising signed Kim "Lori" Seung-hyun as their new head coach, while Mineral took on a management position within the organization.[19] The team retained four of the players from the previous season, including Colourhex, Fusions, support Seo "Myunb0ng" Sang-min, and tank Leyton "Punk" Gilchrist,[20] while signings a mixture of veterans and rookies.[21] The Boston Uprising competed in the SteelSeries Invitational, coming in second place after losing to the Los Angeles Gladiators 0-3.[22] Behind a stable roster throughout the season, Boston finished in 15th place with a 7–9 record, marking their best regular season winning percentage since 2018. The team qualified for the Western region play-in tournament; however, they lost in the first round to the Toronto Defiant, failing to reach the season playoffs.[23]

In the following offseason, the Uprising parted ways with six players, including Colourhex, Myunb0ng, and Fusions, who retired from professional Overwatch altogether.[23] Boston signed and picked up several new players; most notably Striker was signed back to the team after he retired in the middle of 2021 season.[24] However, three weeks into the season, Striker was dropped from the team.[25]

Team identity

[edit]

On October 25, 2017, the franchise name was revealed as the Boston Uprising; the name "Uprising" was selected in honor of Boston's resilient forefathers and their legacy in the American Revolution which laid the foundation of the city. They also unveiled the team's logo and blue-yellow-black color scheme, with the latter drawing inspiration from the colors found in Boston's city flag. The logo is a shield surrounding a bold "B"—a letter that is synonymous with the city of Boston.[26]

Sponsors

[edit]

In late April 2018, the team revealed their first partnership, a shaving product sponsor, with Boston-based Gillette. The deal included a number of digital and social content initiatives, as well as having the Gillette logo featured on the team's practice jerseys and training facility.[27][28]

On October 31, 2018, the team added Bose as a sponsor, joining other Kraft-owned sports franchises and Boston teams supported by the Boston-based audio company.[29]

Personnel

[edit]

Current roster

[edit]
Boston Uprising roster
Players Coaches
Role No. Handle Name Nationality
Damage 18 Decay Jang Gui-un South Korea
Tank 5 smurf Yoo Myeong-hwan South Korea
Head coach
  • Sim “Mobydik” Seung-bo
Assistant coach(es)
  • Park “KariV” Young-seo
Legend:
  • (I) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  • (2W) Two-way player
  • Substitute player Substitute
  • Injured Injury / Illness
  

Latest roster transaction: October 12, 2023.

Head coaches

[edit]
Handle Name Seasons Record Notes Ref.
Crusty Park Dae-hee 2018 22–8 (.733) Released after 30 games in 2018. [30][31]
Mineral Vytis Lasaitis 2020 2–19 (.095) [15][19]
Lori Kim Seung-hyun 2021–2022 12–21 (.364) Released after 17 games in 2022. [19][32]
Ascoft Valentin Wulfman 2022 5–2 (.714) Interim head coach. [32][33]
Dongsu Shin Dong-soo 2023 6–2 (.750) Released after eight games in 2023. [34][35]
Mobydik Sim Seung-bo 2023 11–5 (.688) [36]

Awards and records

[edit]

Seasons overview

[edit]
Season P W L W% Finish Playoffs
2018 40 26 14 .650 2nd, Atlantic Lost in Quarterfinals, 1–2 (Fusion)
2019 28 8 20 .286 9th, Atlantic Did not qualify
2020 21 2 19 .095 10th, North America Did not qualify
2021 16 7 9 .438 9th, West Did not qualify
2022 24 10 14 .417 10th, West Did not qualify
2023 16 11 5 .688 4th, West Lost in Semifinals, 1–3 (Mayhem)

Individual accomplishments

[edit]

All-Star Game selections

Academy team

[edit]
Main article: Uprising Academy

On February 19, 2018, the Uprising announced a partnership with Toronto Esports Club's Overwatch Contenders team.[37] In November 2018, following the unveiling of the Toronto Defiant in the Overwatch League, the league informed the Uprising they needed to change their name. Rather than change their name, the Toronto Esports team decided to pull out of Contenders completely, citing not only issues with the naming request but new changes in the Contenders format.[38] According to their president Ryan Pallet, the organization was given a six-week notice to change their name. The Kraft organization still owns the rights to the players, coaches and the Contenders slot held by the team, which is officially competing under the name "Uprising Academy."[39]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Boston Uprising

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Boston Uprising was an American professional esports team based in Boston, Massachusetts, that represented the city in the (OWL), a major professional league for the video game developed by . Founded as one of the league's inaugural franchises in 2017, the team competed from the OWL's debut season in 2018 through its final season in 2023, initially in the league's Atlantic Division and later in the West region. Owned and operated by the —a family-owned conglomerate led by Robert and , also owners of the and —the Uprising symbolized Boston's resilient spirit through its name and branding, featuring a shield logo in blue, yellow, and black colors inspired by the city's flag. The team quickly established itself as a competitive force in its inaugural 2018 season, achieving the league's first undefeated regular-season stage by going 10–0 in Stage 3, qualifying for the and the mid-season , with an overall record of 26–14. Under the leadership of president "HuK" Loranger, a former professional player, the Uprising roster included standout international talent such as South Korean players Jun-sung "Neko" Choi and Ji-sung "" Yang, who earned multiple individual awards, including JJoNak's 2018 Role MVP for his dominant play as a . Despite early promise, the team faced challenges in subsequent seasons, finishing with losing records in 2019 (8–20) and beyond, amid frequent roster changes and the league's evolving meta. The League's structure underwent significant changes starting in 2021 with a shift to regional play due to the , which the Uprising participated in as part of the North American division. However, financial struggles and declining viewership led to the league's suspension after the 2023 season, when a majority of franchise owners, including the , voted to exit the franchised model, prompting to transition esports to a new open-circuit format called the Overwatch Champions Series. As a result, the Boston Uprising ceased operations and disbanded in early 2024, releasing its remaining players and staff to the market. The team's legacy includes pioneering international recruitment in the OWL and contributing to the growth of in , though it never secured a championship title.

History

Inception (2017)

The Boston Uprising was established as one of the inaugural franchises in the , a professional league for the video game developed by . On July 12, 2017, announced the first seven city-based teams, including the Boston franchise, marking a significant expansion into professional competition with a focus on regional representation and global talent. The franchise was owned by , the sports and entertainment arm of , led by , the longtime owner of the NFL's . and his son , president of , spearheaded the investment, viewing the team as an extension of their successful portfolio and an opportunity to bring professional to Boston's passionate fanbase. This ownership tied the Uprising directly to the Kraft family's established infrastructure in athlete development, marketing, and community outreach from traditional . In building the front office, the organization prioritized experienced esports leadership. On August 22, 2017, Chris "HuK" Loranger, a former professional player and esports executive, was hired as president of gaming to oversee operations, roster construction, and strategic growth. This appointment signaled the team's commitment to blending traditional sports management with esports expertise from the outset. Pre-league preparations accelerated in late 2017 with the reveal of the team's branding on October 25. The name "Boston Uprising" drew inspiration from the city's revolutionary history and resilient spirit, featuring that intertwined a "B" and "U" into a shield emblem, colors of blue, yellow, and black inspired by 's flag, and an in-game skin for the hero Soldier: 76. This unveiling was accompanied by announcements of early roster signings, including eight players such as Gamsu (Noh Young-jin), DPS Striker (Kwon Nam-joo), and support Kellex (Kristian Keller), forming the core of the inaugural lineup. To foster community ties, the hosted introductory events and fan interactions in , emphasizing local pride and accessibility to build excitement ahead of the league's December 2017 preseason. Plans for an academy team to develop emerging talent were also outlined as part of the franchise's long-term structure, aligning with the League's emphasis on player pipelines.

Inaugural season (2018)

The Boston Uprising entered the Overwatch League's inaugural season with high expectations, debuting on January 11, 2018, with a 1–3 loss to the in their first regular season match. The team secured their first victory six days later on , defeating the winless Shanghai Dragons 4–0 in a dominant performance that highlighted their potential early in Stage 1. Overall, the Uprising finished Stage 1 with a 6–4 record and a +10 map differential, placing sixth in the standings for a mid-table finish but missing qualification for the stage playoffs, which were limited to the top three teams. In Stage 2, from February 21 to March 25, the Uprising maintained consistency with another 6–4 record, though their map differential dropped to -1, again landing them in sixth place and out of the top-three spots needed for the Midseason Mayhem tournament. Emerging rivalries began to take shape, particularly with the , fueled by their opening loss and regional proximity as East Coast teams, setting the stage for intense matchups later in the season. Fan support grew steadily despite the centralized league format at Blizzard Arena in , with dozens attending watch parties in , such as at the Boston Sports Grille, where supporters gathered to cheer during key games. Mid-season roster adjustments proved pivotal heading into Stage 3. On April 3, the Uprising signed support player Daniel "AimGod" Vo to bolster their backline, followed by the departure of DPS player Casper "DreamKazper" Jensen on April 9; they also brought in flex DPS Stanislav "Mistakes?" Danilov as a substitute to provide depth during the stage. These changes contributed to an unprecedented run, as Boston went undefeated in Stage 3 regular season play with a perfect 10–0 record—the first such feat in OWL history—featuring standout performances from main tank Ahmad "Proper" Al-Shehri, who anchored the team's aggressive strategies. As the top seed, they advanced to the Stage 3 but fell 0–3 to the in the finals on May 6, despite a narrow 3–2 regular-season win over the same opponent earlier in the stage. The Uprising carried their momentum into the season , entering as the third overall with a combined 26–14 regular-season record. However, their run ended abruptly in the quarterfinals, where they lost a best-of-three series 1–2 to the sixth-seeded Philadelphia Fusion on July 13, securing fifth-to-sixth place and a $50,000 prize. The defeat, marked by Philadelphia's strong offensive coordination, underscored the competitive depth of the league's inaugural postseason, though Boston's Stage 3 dominance remained a highlight of their breakout year.

Subsequent seasons (2019–2023)

The Boston Uprising faced significant challenges in the Overwatch League season, culminating in a poor performance with an 8–20 record that prevented them from qualifying for the . The team experienced key losses amid roster inconsistencies and operated without a dedicated for the entire year, contributing to their struggles. Following the season, the organization initiated a coaching overhaul, appointing Vytis "Mineral" Lasaitis as in to address these issues heading into the next year. The 2020 season brought additional hurdles due to the , which prompted the to cancel all planned homestands—including Boston's scheduled April events—and transition entirely to an online format for the remainder of the year. This shift eliminated live attendance opportunities and disrupted team preparations, as the Uprising finished with a 2–19 record and were eliminated early from postseason contention. In response to the dismal results, the team pursued major roster rebuilds during the offseason, signing new talent such as flex support Lhcloudy to inject fresh dynamics into the lineup. Entering and , the Uprising continued to grapple with mediocrity under evolving league formats that emphasized midseason tournaments and regional play. They posted a 7–9 record in , failing to advance to any major events like the May Melee or Summer Showdown playoffs. The season saw a similar outcome with a 10–14 mark, again missing postseason qualification amid the introduction of regional divisions that placed Boston in the East group, altering competitive balance through localized scheduling. Roster efforts included promoting academy players such as DPS Stalk3r to the main team in , aiming to foster internal growth and stability. The 2023 season marked the Uprising's final year in the , characterized by last-place finishes in the Atlantic division with 2–4 records across each of the three stages. Attendance trends reflected broader disinterest, with persistent online play limiting fan engagement and viewership compared to earlier homestand eras, though the team focused on competitive development amid the league's impending structural changes.

Disbandment (2024)

The 's shutdown was announced on November 10, 2023, with confirming a transition away from the league's structure after a majority of franchises voted to exit, citing unsustainable economics and shifting priorities. This decision marked the end of the OWL after six seasons, impacting all teams including the Boston Uprising by dissolving their professional commitments under the league. In response, Kraft Sports + Entertainment officially disbanded the Boston Uprising on January 9, 2024, ceasing all operations for the franchise. The disbandment released the remaining active roster into free agency, terminating contracts for damage player Decay (Jang Gui-un) and tank player smurf (Yoo Myeong-hwan), who had been key contributors in the 2023 season. Additionally, head coach Mobydik (Sebastian Lubbe) and assistant coach M PRE (Min-jae Park) departed the organization as part of the closure. Ownership attributed the decision to the broader challenges in league and the evolving viability of professional post-OWL, reflecting a strategic pivot away from the franchise model. The move aligned with industry trends, as multiple OWL owners reallocated resources to other ventures amid declining viewership and revenue. Community reactions highlighted bittersweet , with fans expressing appreciation for the team's role in establishing Boston's esports presence since 2017. The Uprising's final communications emphasized enduring fan support amid the closure. The disbanded organization did not field a team in the Overwatch Champions Series, which launched in 2024 as Blizzard's new competitive ecosystem combining regional paths without city-based franchises. As of November 2025, the has not participated in the Champions Series or other esports events. This effectively concluded the Uprising's competitive legacy, leaving no successor entity in esports under .

Organization

Ownership

The Boston Uprising was owned by Kraft Sports + Entertainment, a division of the , a privately held conglomerate founded by in 1998. , chairman and CEO of the and owner of the National Football League's , served as the primary owner, with his son , president of the , acting as co-owner. This ownership structure provided substantial financial backing from the 's diverse portfolio, which spans sports, , and , ensuring robust support for the franchise's operations. In December 2021, Kraft Sports + Entertainment merged the Uprising with Oxygen Esports to broaden its presence across multiple titles, including plans for entry into the Call of Duty League, while retaining overall control under the Kraft umbrella. Key executives included "HuK" Loranger, who held the role of President of Gaming from the team's in 2017 until June 2022, overseeing strategic direction and player management. Aaron "PRE" Heckman then served as from November 2022 until the team's disbandment in 2024, focusing on roster building and competitive performance. Board involvement was led by Robert and , who guided high-level decisions integrating with the group's traditional sports assets. The franchise's initial investment included a $20 million entry fee as one of the Overwatch League's 12 inaugural teams in 2017, paid by the to secure the Boston slot. Ongoing funding drew from the 's resources, supporting annual operations estimated in the multimillion-dollar range, though exact figures were not publicly disclosed. The Kraft Group's business strategy positioned the Uprising as an extension of its sports ecosystem, leveraging the Patriots' brand for cross-promotions and shared operational expertise to capture the expanding audience and generate revenue through media rights, merchandising, and fan engagement initiatives. This approach aimed to blend traditional sports with digital gaming, fostering long-term growth in a nascent industry.

Facilities and training

The Boston Uprising operated from a dedicated esports training facility known as the Helix eSports Center, located at in . This 18,000-square-foot venue, which opened in January 2020, provided the team with a private practice area equipped with high-performance gaming rigs, multiple LAN stations for team scrimmages, and a professional streaming studio for content production and live broadcasts. The facility also incorporated community-oriented spaces, including over 100 public gaming stations with PCs and consoles, fostering local engagement with . The team planned its live homestand events at the Citizens Bank Opera House, a historic theater in also referred to as the . The inaugural homestand was scheduled for April 25–26, 2020, featuring six matches against visiting teams including the , Houston Outlaws, , , , and Philadelphia Fusion, with production elements such as on-site casters, fan zones, and themed activations. A follow-up event was set for June 27–28, 2020, pitting the Uprising against the , , Paris Eternal, and . These homestands were designed to replicate arena-style experiences with high-quality audio-visual setups and audience interactions, but both were ultimately canceled due to the . In response to the outbreak, the suspended in-person events in March 2020, prompting the Boston Uprising to transition to remote training protocols for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Players practiced individually from home setups using secure online platforms for virtual scrimmages, strategy sessions, and performance reviews, while adhering to league-monitored integrity measures to ensure fair play. This adaptation mirrored broader shifts, allowing the team to maintain operations amid venue closures and travel restrictions.

Sponsorships

The Boston Uprising secured its first major sponsorship deal in April 2018 with Gillette, a Boston-based shaving products company, marking the inaugural team-specific partnership in the Overwatch League. This agreement featured Gillette branding on the team's practice jerseys and throughout their training facility, along with digital activations and player endorsements to promote the brand within the esports community. As the league's first such team sponsor, Gillette's involvement highlighted the growing appeal of esports to traditional consumer brands, emphasizing local ties given the company's headquarters in Boston. In October 2018, the Uprising expanded its sponsorship portfolio with Bose, another Boston-headquartered company, as its official audio partner for headphones and headsets. The deal aligned with Bose's interest in developing gaming-specific , providing the team with branded gear for practices and events while integrating Bose branding into team communications and fan experiences. This partnership built on existing connections between Bose and the team's ownership group, Kraft Sports + Entertainment, further strengthening regional commercial ties. League-wide sponsorships also played a significant role in the Uprising's commercial landscape, with securing pouring rights as the official beverage partner starting in the 2019 season. This multi-year agreement enabled branding at all team events, including home games and activations, contributing to unified marketing efforts across franchises. Similarly, served as a foundational sponsor from the league's 2018 inception, providing hardware support for team PCs and integrating branding into broadcasts and arena setups. Fanatics acted as the official apparel partner for the Uprising throughout its tenure, producing and distributing team jerseys, merchandise, and uniforms for fans and players. These deals facilitated jersey patch visibility during matches—such as 's placement in —and supported broader revenue streams through e-commerce sales and event merchandise. Local partnerships like those with and Bose emphasized Boston-centric activations, including facility integrations and community events, to enhance fan engagement without overlapping with league-level restrictions. Following the team's disbandment on January 9, 2024, all active sponsorship agreements were terminated, aligning with the dissolution of the structure. Lingering brand elements, such as archived merchandise through Fanatics, remained available but without ongoing team activations.

Academy team

The Uprising Academy served as the developmental squad for the Boston Uprising, formed on November 12, 2018, to compete in Overwatch Contenders North America as part of the Overwatch League's talent pipeline system. Initially announced in February 2018 with Toronto Esports partnering as the academy affiliate for Contenders Season 1, the team rebranded under the Uprising banner later that year to focus on nurturing prospects for promotion to the main roster. Owned by through the and occasionally managed by Dramatik Gaming, the academy operated with a separate roster and coaching staff while sharing training resources with the primary team. The academy's structure emphasized player development through competitive play in Contenders, with dedicated head coaches such as Spilo in 2020 and ioStux in prior seasons overseeing training and strategy. Facilities were integrated with the Boston Uprising's setup at the 18,000-square-foot esports complex at in , providing shared access to practice arenas, scrim rooms, and support staff for holistic growth. Over its tenure from 2018 to 2022, the team accumulated $69,405 in earnings across tournaments. These results positioned the academy as a consistent mid-tier contender, though it never secured a championship or direct promotion slot to the . Several academy players advanced to the Boston Uprising's main roster, underscoring the program's role in talent elevation. Notable promotions included tank Cameron "Fusions" Bosworth in February 2019, supports Gabriel "Swimmer" Levy and tank Walid "Mouffin" Bassal in November 2019, and DPS Gihun "Victoria" Oh in December 2021. Operations concluded on September 30, 2022, when the team announced it would not participate in the remainder of Contenders 2022, citing a pause with intentions to return in 2023 that ultimately did not occur amid the Overwatch League's restructuring. The academy's dissolution aligned with the OWL's end in November 2023 and full franchise disbandment in January 2024, as the successor Champions Series lacked a formal academy tier.

Branding and identity

The Boston Uprising team name was chosen to honor the city's pivotal role in the , symbolizing the resilience and indomitable spirit of its revolutionary forefathers who laid the foundation for the nation. This reflects Boston's historical legacy of uprising against , aligning the esports franchise with the region's enduring theme of defiance and progress. The name was officially announced on , 2017, as part of the team's inaugural reveal. The logo, designed by Tyler Sinnott while working at Kraft Sports + Entertainment, incorporates a bold "B" for Boston enclosed within a curving "U" shape representing "Uprising," forming an overall shield-like emblem that evokes protection and strength. Inspired by Overwatch characters such as Reinhardt who wield shields, the design integrates seamlessly with the game's aesthetic while nodding to Boston's military heritage during the Revolution. Rendered primarily in blue, yellow, and black—colors drawn from the city's official flag—the logo underscores local pride and visual cohesion. Symbolically, the shield motif embodies resilience and defensive resolve, mirroring the "Uprising" name's connotations and positioning the team as guardians of competitive excellence in the . The reveal event on October 25, 2017, featured a proclaiming the team as "the newest team in ," which garnered positive fan reception for its ties to local identity and innovation. Following the initial unveiling, the logo underwent minor refinements in December 2017 to enhance clarity and reduce shadowing for better on-screen visibility, but its core elements remained intact through the transition in 2022 and until the team's disbandment in 2024. No substantive redesigns occurred, preserving the emblem's symbolism throughout the franchise's history.

Colors and uniforms

The Boston Uprising's primary colors are blue (#174B97), yellow (#EFDF00), and black (#000000), selected to evoke the tones of Boston's official flag. These hues form the foundation of the team's branding across apparel, with blue serving as the dominant shade for home uniforms and yellow providing vibrant accents. The team's uniforms debuted in 2018, manufactured by Fanatics as part of the Overwatch League's inaugural season. Home jerseys featured a bold blue base with yellow highlights and black trim, while away variants used a white primary color accented by the team's signature blue and yellow for contrast. The logo was prominently displayed on the chest, and the jerseys were constructed from 100% polyester with moisture-wicking technology to enhance player comfort during matches. In 2019, the Overwatch League introduced third jerseys, and Boston Uprising collaborated with apparel brand INTO THE AM on a limited-edition variant, offering a darker aesthetic while retaining core color elements for select games. By , uniforms received a refresh to support the league's shift to regional divisions, featuring subtle updates in fit and patterning without altering the color palette. The 2023 season saw further adaptations for , with new jerseys emphasizing streamlined designs and enhanced breathability to match the game's updated mechanics. Uniform elements extended to fan merchandise, including replica jerseys and apparel lines sold through the official shop and Fanatics, which reported high demand for Boston Uprising items during peak seasons. Special editions, such as the third jersey, were limited in production to boost exclusivity and collector interest.

Personnel

Head coaches

The Boston Uprising employed several es throughout its tenure in the from to 2023, with frequent changes reflecting the team's struggles to maintain consistent performance after an inaugural season of promise. The inaugural oversaw early success, but subsequent hires faced challenges amid roster instability and competitive shifts, resulting in no playoff appearances after until a resurgence in 2023. emphases varied, often focusing on strategic adaptations to evolving metas, though the team compiled an overall regular-season record of 61–85 (.418) across all seasons.

Head Coaches Table

CoachTenureRegular Season RecordNotable Contributions and Notes
Park "Crusty" Dae-hee2018 (July 2017–May 2018)22–8 (.733)Led the team to a perfect 8–0 Stage 3 record and a third-place regular-season finish, qualifying for playoffs where Boston reached the semifinals before elimination; emphasized aggressive, high-mobility strategies that propelled the team's early dominance; departed mid-season to join the San Francisco Shock, later winning two championships there (2019, 2021).
Vytis "Mineral" Lasaitis2020 (October 2019–October 2020)2–19 (.095)Hired as the first official since 2018, following a winless 2019 stage under assistant-led staff; focused on rebuilding amid a roster overhaul but struggled with cohesion, finishing last in the North Region with no stage wins; transitioned to a management role within the organization before departing in 2023.
Kim "Lori" Seung-hyun2021–2022 (October 2020–August 2022)12–21 (.364)Brought experience from Korean Contenders, aiming to instill disciplined play; oversaw modest improvements in 2021 (7–14) but faced ongoing issues, including a 5–7 start in 2022 before mid-season release; no playoff berths, with the team ranking mid-to-low in both West and Pacific divisions; post-departure, joined other ventures outside .
Valentin "Ascoft" Wulfman2022 (August–November 2022, interim)5–2 (.714)Promoted from assistant coach after Lori's exit; guided a late-season surge, winning five of seven matches to secure a top-10 Pacific Division finish and a spot in the 2022 Play-In Tournament (eliminated in qualifiers); credited with stabilizing team morale during transition; later became for the Vancouver Titans in 2023.
Shin "Dongsu" Dong-soo2023 (December 2022–June 2023)6–2 (.750)Hired for the era with prior academy experience; directed an 6–2 start, including a Midseason Madness semifinal appearance (4th place overall); released mid-season amid reported internal tensions, after which the team benched coaching input during a tournament; moved to other coaching roles post-.
Sim "Mobydik" Seung-bo2023 (June–January 2024)9–5 (.643)Joined mid-season from academy and Contenders scenes; oversaw the remainder of 2023, including a 3–1 playoff quarterfinal win over before a 3–0 semifinal loss to Vancouver Titans, marking Boston's first playoff win since 2018 and best finish (top 4) since ; emphasized adaptive strategies in the double-hero meta; after disbandment, continued coaching in regional leagues.
Following the team's disbandment in January 2024, several former coaches pursued opportunities elsewhere, with Crusty and Ascoft achieving further success in OWL-adjacent roles, while others like and Mobydik contributed to and development.

Players

The Boston Uprising roster evolved significantly over its tenure in the from 2018 to 2023, featuring approximately 45 players who debuted and departed at various points, often in response to performance needs and league changes. The team initially employed a flexible system allowing players to switch positions, but from 2019 onward, the OWL's role lock policy restricted rosters to dedicated tanks, (DPS), and support roles with two starters and substitutes per category. Key chronological signings included the addition of in 2018 as the franchise's first Japanese player, alongside later overhauls such as the 2023 roster incorporating international talent like Decay and Birdring. Following the team's disbandment in January 2024, no active roster remains.

Tanks

The role anchored the team's frontline, with players handling initiation and protection duties. Representative examples include:
Player IDTenureNotable Contribution
FahrieN2020–2021Provided stable main presence during the 2020–2021 seasons amid roster transitions.
Gamsu2017–2019Early signing from Korean scene, key in inaugural roster.
Fusions2018–2021Versatile two-way player, adapted to lock era.
Kalios2020–2023Contributed to late-season lineups, including 2023.

Damage (DPS)

Damage players focused on high-output flanking and poke strategies, evolving with meta shifts. Representative examples include:
Player IDTenureNotable Contribution
Proper2018Hitscan specialist in debut season.
Striker2017–2018, 2023Returned for 2023 roster; early flex DPS.
Aimgod2018Signed mid-2018 for projectile expertise.
Birdring2023Part of 2023 international DPS line.

Supports

Support players emphasized healing and utility, crucial for sustaining team fights under role lock. Representative examples include:
Player IDTenureNotable Contribution
Kellex2018–2019Primary healer in initial campaigns.
Neko2017–2019Flex support from launch roster.
Rawkus2017–2019Contributed to early support depth.
Closer2019–2021Adapted to role lock as main support.

Achievements

Team accomplishments

The Boston Uprising's standout achievement came during Stage 3 of the 2018 season, when they posted a perfect 10–0 record in the regular season—the first undefeated stage in league history and the highest single-stage (100%) ever recorded. This propelled them to the top seed in the Stage 3 , where they reached but were swept 0–3 by the . In the 2018 season , the Uprising secured the third overall seed and advanced through the double-elimination bracket to a 5th–6th place finish, highlighted by a 3–1 lower-bracket victory over the [Los Angeles Valiant](/page/Los Angeles_Valiant) before elimination via a 1–3 loss to the Philadelphia Fusion. The team made three additional playoff appearances across OWL seasons. In 2019, they qualified for the Stage 1 as the Pacific Division's second-place team with a 4–3 stage record and finished 5th–8th after a 0–3 quarterfinal loss to the Vancouver Titans. The 2020 North American regional saw them place 9th–11th following a 1–3 defeat to the . Their final OWL postseason run came in 2023, where they won the play-in tournament 3–2 over the before a 4th-place finish, including a 3–1 quarterfinal win against the London Spitfire, a 2–3 semifinal loss to the Hangzhou Spark, and a 1–3 elimination match against the . Throughout their OWL tenure, the Uprising accumulated 26 regular-season wins in 2018 alone, contributing to their all-time total of 43 regular-season victories and a .410 . They never captured an OWL championship or midseason tournament title, with their best regular-season division finish being second in the Pacific during Stage 1.

Individual awards

Several Boston Uprising players earned selections during the team's participation in the . In , main tank Cameron "Fusions" Bosworth was voted to the Atlantic Division roster for the league's second annual . The following year, support player Kelsey "Colourhex" Birse represented the team at the 2020 All-Stars event, where she competed in skills challenges alongside other top regional talents. No Boston Uprising players received Role Star honors during the team's seasons following the 2019 format change, though several roster members like Kim "IZaYaKI" Min-chul and Lee "LeeJaeGon" Jae-gon brought prior Role Star accolades from previous teams when joining in 2023. The team had no season MVP or Stage MVP recipients, and no players garnered ESPY nominations or major community awards during their OWL tenure. Overall, Boston Uprising players accumulated two All-Star selections across 2019 and 2020, with zero Role Stars or MVPs.

References

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  81. https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/boston-uprising-introduces-2023-owl-roster-most-stacked-lineup-yet
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