It has been reported by Dot Esports that the Washington Justice Overwatch League team's parent company, Washington Esports Ventures, has officially pulled out of talks to acquire the Chicago Call of Duty League slot.
The company was tied to discussions to pick up the slot from NRG, who owns the OpTic Chicago team (formerly known as the Chicago Huntsmen). NRG has been looking to sell the slot following OpTic Gaming being acquired by Envy, seeing the CDL roster and its namesake heading to Texas as part of the Dallas Empire rebrand.
According to Twitter user Unscriipted, now that Washington Esports Ventures has pulled out of the deal, there is a very small chance that the next season of the CDL goes ahead with only 11 teams, with the Chicago team still lacking an identity and roster.
"Intel: Washington Esports Ventures is OUT on the CDL, will not be pursuing the vacant spot currently owned by NRG. The CDL is looking for a replacement, but as things currently stand, there is a greater than 0% chance that the league goes on with 11 teams this year."
There's still no word from Activision on when the Call of Duty League will return in 2022, but we do know that it will be played on Call of Duty: Vanguard.
