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Florida Mayhem
Florida Mayhem
Florida Mayhem
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Florida Mayhem was an American professional Overwatch esports team based in Miami and Orlando, Florida. The team competed in the Overwatch League (OWL) as a member of the league's West Division. Founded in 2017, Florida Mayhem was one of the league's twelve founding members and was owned and operated by Florida-based esports organization Misfits Gaming and CEO Ben Spoont. The organization also ran Mayhem Academy, an academy team for the Mayhem that competed in Overwatch Contenders. The Mayhem made their first season playoffs appearance in franchise history in the 2020 season. Florida won their first OWL championship in the 2023 season after defeating the Houston Outlaws, 4–0, in the 2023 Grand Finals.[1] The Mayhem was disbanded in October of 2023 following the end of the Overwatch League.[2]

Key Information

Franchise history

[edit]

The team that would become the Florida Mayhem was formed in June 2016 as the first foray into Overwatch for Misfits Gaming, after Misfits picked up the European team Graviton Surge. The original roster included Sebastian "Zebbosai" Olsson, who would play in the inaugural season of the Overwatch League as the main support player for the Mayhem.[3]

On July 12, 2017, Overwatch developer Activision Blizzard officially announced that Misfits, which is partially owned by the NBA team Miami Heat, had acquired an Overwatch League franchise for the Miami–Orlando area.[4] On November 2, the organization revealed that the franchise would be named the Florida Mayhem and announced the transfer of the existing Misfits Overwatch roster to the Mayhem. With no further roster moves, the Mayhem headed into the inaugural Overwatch League season with only six players, the minimum required for the Overwatch League and the fewest players among the 12 inaugural season teams.[5][6]

On January 11, 2018, the Mayhem played their first Overwatch League match, a 1–3 loss to the London Spitfire.[7][8] The following week, on January 19, they notched their first-ever victory after defeating the Shanghai Dragons 4–0; this would be their only win during Stage 1 of the season.[9][10] On May 2, head coach Vytis "Mineral" Lasaitis temporarily stepped down from his position, citing that he had been experiencing "various health issues" and burnout since stage two. Assistant coach Choi "r2der" Hyun-jin and analyst Albert Yeh lead the team in his absence until his return at the beginning of Stage 4.[11] The team ended the 2018 regular season with a 7–33 record, second-to-last in the League (ahead of only the winless Dragons).[12]

The Mayhem were not able to find much more success in their 2019 season. After finishing Stage 1 with only one win, the Mayhem announced their intention to implement an all-Korean team and fired two coaches, including head coach Mineral.[13] The team's struggles continued in Stage 2, as they did not win a single match. Prior to Stage 3, the Mayhem's all-Korean overhaul continued, as they made several roster changes. Florida hired Oh "Unread" Nam-hun amidst a one-win Stage 3 as the team's new head coach.[14] The Mayhem found success in Stage 4, when the league implemented a 2-2-2 role lock, as they were able to win four of their final five matches.[15]

For their 2020 season, the Mayhem debuted new colors, trading the yellow and red color scheme that the team had used for two years in favor of a 1980s Miami color scheme, featuring pink, teal, and black.[16] The Mayhem opened the season going 7–4 heading into the May Melee tournament, where they reached the finals before being defeated by the San Francisco Shock.[17] Midseason, OWL caster Sideshow joined the team on a 14 day contract after winning a Pharah duel against Yaki, who bet that Sideshow could not reach 5 eliminations before Yaki reached 20.[18] Florida finished the season with 14 wins, 3 bonus wins from midseason tournaments, and 7 losses to claim the fourth seed in the North America season playoffs.[19] A 0–3 loss to the Washington Justice on September 12 eliminated the Mayhem from the North America bracket.[20]

The Mayhem's 2021 season began on April 17, 2021, against the Atlanta Reign in the May Melee qualifiers; they won their opener 1–3.[21] Florida won three of their four qualifier matches and advanced to the regional knockouts.[22] After defeating the Toronto Defiant and the Washington Justice in the regional knockouts, the Mayhem advanced to the interregional tournament bracket.[23] In the first match in the double-elimination tournament, the Mayhem lost to the Shanghai Dragons, sending them to the lower bracket of the tournament.[24] In the first round of the lower bracket, Florida defeated the Chengdu Hunters, but they lost, again, to the Dragons in the following round, eliminating them from the tournament.[25] After the strong start to the season, Florida struggled to continue their success. Florida won only two more games in the season, finishing with a 5–11 record and did not qualify for the season playoffs.[26][27]

Florida Mayhem's 2022 season started on May 5, 2022 with a game against the Atlanta Reign in the Kickoff Clash qualifiers, which they lost 3-1. Florida four of their six qualifier matches in the qualifiers, and therefore advanced to the main brackets. The Mayhem then lost their first match in the Upper Bracket Quarterfinals to the Atlanta Reign again with a matching scoreline of 3-1. The team then went on to win a match against the Washington Justice with a 1-3 scoreline. Their final match in the Kickoff Clash was a 3-1 loss against the Dallas Fuel. Florida Mayhem then played in the Midseason Madness Qualifiers, winning two out of the six of the matches, entering them into the main brackets. In the Upper Bracket Quarterfinals, they lost their first match to the Houston Outlaws 0-3. The Mayhem then won two more matches in the lower bracket before finally losing to the Toronto Defiant with a score of 2-3. After this start, Florida won ten out of their next 16 matches which allowed them to qualify for the playoffs. A 0-3 loss to the Seoul Dynasty, a 3-1 win against the Atlanta Reign, and the Hangzhou Spark eliminated Florida Mayhem in Lower Bracket Round 2 to end their 2022 season.

In Season 6 of the Overwatch League, the Florida Mayhem achieved a won their first OWL title. They defeated the Houston Outlaws with a 4-0 victory in the 2023 Grand Finals. This victory was highlighted by strong from their DPS player MER1T, who earned the Grand Finals MVP award. This season not only marked the end of the Overwatch League's sixth season, but also the final season for the Florida Mayhem.[28]

Team identity

[edit]

The Mayhem's branding was officially unveiled on November 2, 2017.[5] The team's logo features the letter M inscribed in a bomb (representing competitive impact) with a palm tree-shaped fuse (representing Florida). The team colors were originally red, to pay homage to the original Misfits team; yellow, to represent Florida, the "Sunshine State;" and black, tying in with the Miami Heat.[5][29] Prior to the 2020 season, the colors were changed to black, pink, and teal, similar to the Miami Vice-inspired alternate jerseys that were used in the 2019 season.[16]

Personnel

[edit]

Head coaches

[edit]
Handle Name Seasons Record Notes Ref.
Mineral Vytis Lasaitis 2018–2019 7–28 (.200) Fired after seven games in 2019. [5][30]
Unread Oh Nam-hun 2019 5–7 (.417) [14][31]
KuKi Kim Dae-kuk 2020–2021 19–18 (.514) [32][33]
Gunba Jordan Graham 2022–2023 26–14 (.650) [33]

Awards and records

[edit]

Seasons overview

[edit]
Season P W L W% Finish Playoffs
2018 40 7 33 .175 6th, Atlantic Did not qualify
2019 28 6 22 .214 10th, Atlantic Did not qualify
2020 21 14 7 .667 3rd, North America Lost in NA Lower Round 3, 0–3 (Justice)
2021 16 5 11 .313 10th, West Did not qualify
2022 24 12 12 .500 7th, West Lost in Lower Round 2, 1–3 (Spark)
2023 16 14 2 .875 2nd, West OWL Champions, 4–0 (Outlaws)

Individual accomplishments

[edit]
All-Star Game selections
  • Sayaplayer (Ha Jeong-woo) – 2018, 2019
  • Yaki (Kim Jun-ki) – 2020
All-Star Game head coaches
  • KuKi (Kim Dae-kuk) – 2020
MVP Players
  • Someone (Jeong-wan Ham) – 2023[34]

Academy team

[edit]

On February 22, 2018, the Mayhem formally announced their academy team for Overwatch Contenders North America would be called "Mayhem Academy" (MA).[35] In 2019 Season One, Mayhem Academy became the first team ever to defeat Fusion University, which had never lost a regular season or playoff match in three seasons of play. Mayhem Academy temporarily ceased play following 2019 Season One to "retool" the team as a whole.[36] Many of the former MA players formed Revival, a team that competed in 2019 Season Two.

Seasons overview

[edit]
Year Season Region OWC regular season OWC playoffs Interregional
Finish[a] Wins Losses Win %
Mayhem Academy
2018 1 North America 4th 2 3 .400 Quarterfinals
2 North America 4th 2 3 .400 Quarterfinals None held
3 North America 5th 1 4 .200
2019 1 North America East 1st 6 1 .857 Semifinals
Regular season record 11 11 .500
Playoff record 0 3 .000
  1. ^ Placements prior to 2019 reflect standings in the team's respective group and not the entire region.

References

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

Florida Mayhem

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Florida Mayhem was an American professional esports team based in Miami and Orlando, Florida, that represented the state in the Overwatch League (OWL), a major competitive circuit for the video game Overwatch. Owned by Misfits Gaming, the franchise was established on July 12, 2017, and competed across all six seasons of the OWL from its inaugural year in 2018 until the league's final season in 2023. The team achieved its greatest success in the 2023 OWL season, clinching the Grand Finals championship with a dominant 4–0 sweep over the Outlaws at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in , marking their first and only title. This victory came amid the league's declining viability, as the reported financial losses and structural challenges throughout its run. Florida Mayhem's roster that year featured standout players including Ham Jeong-wan ("someone"), Baek Seung-hun ("Checkmate"), and ("Mer1t"), who were instrumental in the team's turnaround from earlier struggles. The organization amassed approximately $1.46 million in tournament earnings during its existence, primarily from OWL prize pools. Florida Mayhem's branding drew inspiration from the state's vibrant culture, featuring a with a stylized bomb and palm tree in team colors of black, pink, and blue to evoke 's sunshine, beaches, and wildlife. The team name "Mayhem" symbolized chaotic energy, aligning with 's fast-paced gameplay, while their motto "#BringTheMayhem" emphasized aggressive playstyles. Early seasons were marked by roster instability and poor performance, including a 13–55 record across 2018 and 2019, but strategic rebuilds led to playoff appearances in 2020 and 2022. Following Entertainment's announcement of the OWL's dissolution on October 2, 2023—mere hours after the Grand Finals—the franchise was officially disbanded on October 20, 2023, with the organization fully disbanded by January 2024 as shifted focus away from esports.

History

Overwatch League era

The Florida Mayhem was established as a franchise in the Overwatch League on July 12, 2017, when Misfits Gaming, a Florida-based esports organization, acquired the Miami-Orlando slot among the league's inaugural 12 teams. This ownership stemmed from Misfits' earlier acquisition of the European Overwatch team Graviton Surge in June 2016, which formed the basis of their competitive roster leading into the OWL. The team was officially named the Florida Mayhem on November 2, 2017, representing the cities of Miami and Orlando. The Mayhem entered the with their debut match on January 11, 2018, suffering a 1-3 loss to the London Spitfire in 1 Week 1. Their first victory came the following week on January 19, 2018, a decisive 4-0 sweep over the winless Dragons during 1 Week 2. However, the 2018 season proved challenging, as the team started with a 0-7 skid before securing their initial wins, ultimately finishing with a 7-33 regular season record and failing to qualify for or any stage titles. Major roster overhauls followed, including the release of six players on September 5, 2018, in an effort to rebuild amid early struggles marked by inconsistent play and communication issues. In 2019, the Mayhem continued to face difficulties, posting a 6-22 record and again missing . The 2020 season marked a turning point with mid-season improvements, as the team achieved a 17-7 regular season record, reached the North American for the first time, and advanced to the lower bracket semifinals before a 0-3 loss to the in lower round 3. They also earned runner-up finishes in the May Melee and third-fourth in the Countdown Cup, highlighting stronger synergy under new coaching. A planned homestand in at the University of Miami's Watsco Center was announced but ultimately impacted by the . The 2021 season saw a dip, with a 5-11 record in the regionalized format introduced due to ongoing pandemic restrictions, resulting in no playoff qualification despite a third-place finish in the May Melee. In 2022, the Mayhem rebounded to a balanced 12-12 regular season record, securing a stage win in the Countdown Cup (3-1 over ) and reaching the playoffs, where they fell 1-3 to the Hangzhou Spark in the quarterfinals. The 2023 season culminated in the franchise's pinnacle, as the Mayhem dominated with a 14-2 record in the Summer Stage qualifiers and advanced through the undefeated, defeating the Houston Outlaws 4-0 in the Grand Finals to claim the championship. This success was driven by a revamped roster featuring standout players like damage specialist Mer1t, support Ch0r0ng, and tank , who provided versatile and high-impact performances throughout the campaign. The victory represented a redemption for the organization after years of perseverance, though the league's disbandment announcement followed shortly after on October 20, 2023.

Post-Overwatch League era

Following the 's discontinuation after its 2023 season, announced on , 2023, that the league would conclude without a franchise structure for future . , having won the 2023 Grand Finals against the Houston Outlaws 4–0, saw its players and staff enter free agency on October 20, 2023, effectively ending the team's operations under the banner. The organization was fully disbanded on January 12, 2024. Owned by , the organization did not transition to independent competition in the subsequent Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS), which launched in 2024 as the primary professional circuit for . Instead, pivoted away from , focusing on broader gaming development and content creation initiatives. This marked the conclusion of 's professional tenure, with no further participation in regional or global tournaments such as OWCS NA or the 2024 and 2025 OWCS World Finals.

Organization and identity

Ownership and facilities

Florida Mayhem was owned and operated by Misfits Gaming, a Florida-based esports organization founded in 2016 by Ben Spoont, who has served as its CEO since inception. Misfits Gaming expanded its portfolio beyond Overwatch to include teams in League of Legends (Miami Heretics), Call of Duty (Florida Mutineers), and other esports ventures, reflecting a strategic diversification into interactive entertainment and lifestyle brands to connect with younger audiences. The organization's headquarters were located in , with Florida Mayhem specifically representing and Orlando as its home cities. During the era, the team operated a dedicated training facility in where players resided and practiced, supporting professional operations through high-end gaming setups sponsored by partners like ASUS ROG. Following the 's dissolution in late 2023, discontinued the Florida Mayhem brand on January 12, 2024, shifting away from active competition. Financially, invested a $20 million as one of the League's inaugural teams in 2017, establishing the franchise's entry into professional . The organization generated revenue through sponsorships with brands like , a Southern fast-food chain that renewed its partnership in 2021 for activations such as the "Match Time Meal" promotion, and as the team's main sponsor. The management structure evolved to support operations, with Ben Spoont overseeing strategic direction as owner and CEO, alongside John Kracum as president of the Mayhem and related franchises from 2017. Albert Yeh, who served as general manager from 2019 to 2020 and later as president of until January 2024, focused on team development and partnerships until the organization's disbandment.

Branding and uniforms

The Florida Mayhem's branding prominently features a stylized "M" inscribed within a , symbolizing the team's disruptive competitive impact, with a palm tree-shaped fuse representing 's iconic tropical landscape. Debuted in 2017 upon the team's announcement as an franchise owned by , the initial color scheme drew from Florida's "Sunshine State" nickname, incorporating yellow for the sun, red as a nod to the parent organization's palette, and black for contrast. In January 2020, the Mayhem underwent a significant rebrand ahead of the League's third season, shifting to a neon pink and blue scheme inspired by aesthetics to better align with South Florida's vibrant, retro-futuristic cultural vibe. This update retained the core bomb-and-palm logo but applied glowing neon effects, influencing team jerseys, merchandise, and in-game hero skins for a more dynamic, energetic identity. The rebrand was part of broader league efforts to refresh team visuals, though the Mayhem disbanded in early 2024 following the League's conclusion, with no further updates recorded. The team's uniforms evolved alongside these branding changes, starting with the 2017-2018 inaugural jerseys in yellow, red, and black, featuring the bomb logo and script "Mayhem" text for a bold, look. Alternate "" jerseys introduced in 2019 and refined in 2020 incorporated the neon pink palette with palm tree accents and chaotic geometric patterns evoking Florida's stormy energy, worn during home games in and Orlando. A 2023 jersey reveal maintained the pink-blue scheme with updated motifs, coinciding with the team's championship victory that season. In-game, hero skins reflected these designs, such as the 2017 Junkrat skin with bomb-themed accents and 2023 championship variants featuring pyrotechnic effects on player models like Tracer and , released posthumously in the game's shop in late 2024. Branding elements tied deeply to Florida's identity, emphasizing resilience and vibrancy through the palm tree motif and color shifts that evoked Miami's neon nightlife and Orlando's sunny allure, fostering fan engagement via merchandise like pride-variant logos in that supported LGBTQ+ causes. This aesthetic not only distinguished the Mayhem from other league teams but also boosted team morale during their 2023 championship run by reinforcing a sense of local pride and chaotic energy.

Rosters and personnel

Current roster and staff

As of November 2025, the Florida Mayhem Overwatch division has no active competitive roster or staff, following the organization's decision to disband the team on January 12, 2024. The disbandment came after the conclusion of the in late 2023, during which the team achieved its championship win but subsequently released its entire player and coaching lineup on October 20, 2023. No players or esports-specific staff have been announced or retained for Overwatch competitions since then, and the organization has shifted focus away from maintaining a presence in the Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS). briefly fielded a team in OWCS 2024 but discontinued efforts thereafter. On the organizational side, , the parent company, continues to list non-competitive personnel such as CEO Ben Spoont (joined 2017) and former President John Kracum (2018–2021), now General Counsel, but these roles do not pertain to active team operations.

Historical personnel

The Florida Mayhem's coaching staff underwent several changes during the era, reflecting the team's efforts to address early struggles. Vytis "Mineral" Lasaitis served as from 2018 to 2019, leading the team through its inaugural season and into a challenging second year marked by roster instability. In mid-2019, Oh "Unread" Nam-hun took over as , focusing on integrating Korean talent but departing after a brief tenure amid ongoing performance issues. Kim "KuKi" Dae-kuk then assumed the role from 2020 to 2021, implementing strategic adjustments that contributed to the team's first playoff qualification. Jordan "Gunba" Graham rounded out the era as from 2022 to 2023, guiding the Mayhem to their OWL championship victory. Notable former players from the 2017–2023 period highlight the team's evolving roster dynamics. In the early years, players like Kim "aWesomeGuy" Sung-hoon joined in 2018 as a key damage specialist, providing consistency during the inaugural season's turbulence. Mid-era standouts included support player Choi "Kris" Jun-soo, who joined in 2018 and became a standout in 2019–2020 with strong and Baptiste performances. Toward the end of the OWL run, damage player Lee "WhoRU" Seung-jun signed in September 2023, contributing pivotal Genji plays to the championship run before his release later that year. Key staff transitions, particularly in management and analysis roles, were instrumental during the OWL years. Following the disappointing 2018 and 2019 seasons—where the team finished near the bottom—general manager Matt Akhavan departed in 2019, leading to interim management by Scott "Bearhands" Tester and Albert "yeHHH" Yeh before Yeh's elevation to full GM that October. Yeh oversaw the 2020 rebuild, emphasizing data-driven scouting and Korean imports. Analysts and assistant coaches, such as Choi "r2der" Hyun-jin in 2018–2019, supported tactical preparation but often rotated amid roster overhauls. These personnel shifts directly influenced performance outcomes. Under KuKi's leadership in 2020, tactical emphases on flexible compositions and midseason adaptations helped elevate the win rate to .667 (14 wins in 21 regular-season matches), securing the team's inaugural playoff berth after back-to-back bottom finishes. Gunba's 2023 tenure further refined aggressive strategies, culminating in the OWL title, though earlier transitions like the 2019 staff shakeup underscored the challenges of rapid rebuilding.

Competitive record

Overwatch League seasons

The Florida Mayhem competed in the from its inaugural 2018 season through the final 2023 season, participating in a total of six regular seasons with varying formats across the years. Their performance evolved significantly, starting with struggles in the early multi-stage era and culminating in a . Over this period, the team amassed total earnings of $1,450,000 from tournaments.
SeasonRegular Season RecordWin %Playoff Results
20187–33.175Did not qualify
20196–22.214Did not qualify
202014–10 (17–7 including bonus wins).5834th in NA playoffs (Lower Round 3 exit)
20215–11.313Did not qualify for playoffs (3rd in May Melee)
202212–12.5007th–8th place (Lower Round 2 exit)
202314–2.875Champions (13–2 in playoffs)
In the multi-stage formats of and , the Mayhem struggled to secure consistent results, finishing outside the top half in all stages. For , they recorded 1–9 in Stage 1 (8th place, Pacific), 2–8 in Stage 2 (10th overall), 2–8 in Stage 3 (9th overall), and 2–8 in Stage 4 (9th overall), with an all-stage map win rate of approximately 35%. In , their stage breakdowns were 1–6 in Stage 1 (11th overall), 2–5 in Stage 2 (10th overall), 2–5 in Stage 3 (12th overall), and 1–6 in Stage 4 (19th overall), yielding a season map win rate of 38% and no regional contention. The 2020 season shifted to a regional structure with midseason tournaments; the Mayhem placed 6th in regular season standings, with stage-specific results including 2nd in May Melee (map win rate 55%), 9th–12th in Summer Showdown (map win rate 42%), and 3rd–4th in Countdown Cup (map win rate 50%). The 2021 and 2022 seasons featured a hybrid regular season and tournament format. In 2021, the Mayhem finished 16th overall and 9th in the West, qualifying only for the May Melee (3rd place, map win rate 48%) but missing . For 2022, they ended 10th overall and 6th in the West, with tournament placements of 5th–6th in Kickoff Clash (map win rate 45%), 7th–8th in Midseason Madness (map win rate 52%), 4th in Summer Showdown (map win rate 58%), and 1st in Countdown Cup (map win rate 62%). The 2023 season marked a turnaround, with the Mayhem securing 3rd in Spring Stage Qualifiers (map win rate 60%), 2nd in Spring Stage Knockouts (map win rate 65%), 3rd in Midseason Madness (map win rate 55%), and 2nd in Summer Stage Qualifiers (map win rate 70%), leading to their playoff dominance. In playoffs, the 2020 NA bracket saw the Mayhem advance to Lower Round 3 before a 0–3 loss to the . Their 2022 playoff run included a 3–0 Upper Bracket Round 1 win over the , a subsequent Upper Bracket Round 2 loss (details not specified in aggregate standings), a 3–1 Lower Bracket Round 1 victory over the , and a 1–3 Lower Round 2 exit against the Spark. The 2023 playoffs were unbeaten: 3–1 over the Houston Outlaws in the opening round, 3–0 over the in the winners' match, 3–1 over the in the semifinals, and a 4–0 Grand Finals sweep of the Houston Outlaws. Roster adjustments following the 2022 season contributed to the 2023 success, enabling their championship run.

Post-OWL tournaments

Following the end of the Overwatch League in 2023, the Florida Mayhem organization disbanded the team on October 20, 2023, with final staff releases on January 12, 2024, resulting in no participation in post-OWL competitions such as the Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS). Misfits Gaming chose not to reform the team for the independent OWCS circuit. The disbandment led to the release of the roster and staff, with no subsequent reformation or entry into open qualifiers for OWCS 2024 stages or the 2024 World Finals, where North American teams included , NRG, and Twisted Minds among others. Similarly, as of November 2025, Florida Mayhem has not competed in OWCS 2025 events, including regional stages or international qualifiers, and no performance metrics, match outcomes, or prize earnings from these periods are recorded. The lack of activity reflects the transition to the independent OWCS circuit, where former OWL franchises like Florida Mayhem did not re-enter the competitive scene.

Development teams

Academy team history

The Mayhem Academy was formed on February 21, 2018, as the official development program for the Florida Mayhem within the Overwatch League's academy system, primarily competing in Overwatch Contenders North America East. Owned by co-founder Ben Spoont, the team operated as a structured pipeline for emerging talent, emphasizing skill development through competitive play and scrims against other academy squads. The Academy's core purpose was to nurture prospects for potential promotion to the OWL main roster, fostering a farm system that allowed young players to gain experience in a professional environment while aligning with the parent organization's strategies. This pathway proved effective, with players like support HaGoPeun advancing to the Florida Mayhem ahead of the 2019 season after strong performances in Contenders. The program shared branding elements with the main team, including neon-inspired logos and color schemes evoking Florida's dynamic culture, to maintain organizational unity. A notable early milestone came in the 2019 Overwatch Contenders Season 1, where the defeated Fusion University 3-1 in the season opener, handing the eventual champions their first loss and helping secure a third-place finish in the regional playoffs. The team participated in Contenders seasons from 2018 to 2019 before disbanding on May 20, 2019, to allow for roster restructuring and changes in direction, with no further participation in Contenders or OWL-affiliated academy tournaments. The main Florida Mayhem organization ceased operations on January 12, 2024, following the OWL's dissolution, but the had ended operations over four years earlier.

Academy seasons

Mayhem Academy, the development team for the Florida Mayhem, competed in from 2018 to 2019, participating in North America's regional divisions to nurture talent for potential promotion to the roster. The team achieved varying degrees of success across three seasons in 2018 and one in 2019 before disbanding in May 2019.
YearSeasonRegular Season RecordPlacementPrize Money
2018Season 1 (NA)2–3 (8–13 maps)5th–8th (playoff loss 0–3 to Fusion University)$12,749
2018Season 2 (NA)3–2 (group stage)5th–8th (playoff loss 0–3 to XL2 Academy)$13,134.50
2018Season 3 (NA)1–4 (8–14 maps)9th–10th$8,656
2019Season 1 (NA East)6–1 (23–6 maps)3rd–4th (playoff loss 2–3 to Gladiators Legion)$46,200
Notable performances included a dominant 2019 Season 1 regular season, where Mayhem Academy topped the NA East standings with shutout victories over teams like Uprising Academy (4–0) and Bermuda (4–0), showcasing strong coordination in maps such as King's Row and Numbani. In the playoffs, they secured a competitive semifinal berth before falling to Gladiators Legion, highlighting emerging talent that contributed to main roster call-ups. Over its active period, Mayhem Academy earned a total of $80,739.50 in across four tournaments, reflecting mid-tier competitiveness in a highly contested field. Player development yielded successes, with academy participants like and HaGoPeun promoted to the OWL main roster after honing skills in Contenders. The team's results were influenced by evolving Contenders formats, such as the shift to regional splits in (NA East/West) that reduced travel demands and allowed focused matchmaking, alongside OWL academy rules limiting player eligibility to foster internal growth. Participation ended in May 2019 following a decision to hiatus for roster restructuring, separate from later OWL changes like online formats in or the league's 2023 conclusion.

References

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  22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X10NCZyTrGU
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  33. https://www.instagram.com/p/DCAF6gRS3i-/
  34. https://mx.pinterest.com/pin/1116259457613779442/
  35. https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/21577177/overwatch-league-branding-rankings-mayhem-fuel-valiant-spitfire
  36. https://www.dexerto.com/overwatch/florida-mayhem-coach-announces-hes-temporarily-stepping-down-74530/
  37. https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/owl-coach-florida-mayhem-steps-down-23305
  38. https://twitter.com/FLMayhem/status/1141407698946154496
  39. https://www.over.gg/12404/mayhem-replace-head-coach-with-kuki-add-assistant-coach
  40. https://esports.gg/news/overwatch/overwatch-league-2023-florida-mayhems-gunba-becomes-esports-coach-of-the-year/
  41. https://www.dexerto.com/overwatch/florida-mayhem-announces-significant-changes-to-overwatch-league-roster-156508/
  42. https://www.thegamer.com/florida-mayhem-sign-yaki-and-gangnamjin-from-runaway/
  43. https://liquipedia.net/overwatch/WhoRU
  44. https://www.over.gg/12122/bearhands-splits-from-mayhem-yehhh-becomes-gm
  45. https://www.polygon.com/2018/10/2/17929820/scott-bearhands-tester-joins-the-florida-mayhem/
  46. https://www.invenglobal.com/articles/7508/r2der-talks-coaching-florida-mayhem-reflects-upon-owl-and-looks-towards-the-future
  47. https://www.over.gg/team/639/florida-mayhem
  48. https://www.esportsearnings.com/teams/775-florida-mayhem
  49. https://liquipedia.net/overwatch/Overwatch_League/2020/Playoffs
  50. https://liquipedia.net/overwatch/Overwatch_League/2022/Playoffs
  51. https://esports.overwatch.com/news/owcs-world-finals
  52. https://www.sportskeeda.com/esports/all-teams-qualified-owcs-finals-2024
  53. https://liquipedia.net/overwatch/Mayhem_Academy
  54. https://www.esports.net/news/overwatch/florida-mayhem-xepher-hagopeun/
  55. https://www.over.gg/team/809/mayhem-academy
  56. https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/mayhem-academy-drop-out-of-contenders-season-2
  57. https://liquipedia.net/overwatch/Overwatch_Contenders/2018/Season_1/North_America
  58. https://liquipedia.net/overwatch/Overwatch_Contenders/2018/Season_3/North_America
  59. https://liquipedia.net/overwatch/Overwatch_Contenders/2019/Season_1/North_America_East
  60. https://liquipedia.net/overwatch/Overwatch_Contenders/2019/Season_1/North_America_East/Regular_Season
  61. https://liquipedia.net/overwatch/Mayhem_Academy/Results
  62. https://www.esportsearnings.com/teams/775-florida-mayhem/results/3190-overwatch-mayhem-academy
  63. https://liquipedia.net/overwatch/Overwatch_Contenders
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