Overwatch League franchise Houston Outlaws has appointed Chris DeAppolonio as its new President.
DeAppolonio previously served as the Executive Vice President of Partnerships at Infinite Esports & Entertainment, the owner of the franchise.
In his new role, DeAppolonio will be responsible for leading the business and team operations at the franchise as it gears up to compete in home and away matches from 2020 onwards.
DeAppolonio previously served as President of Triggerfish – one of the companies under the Infinite Esports & Entertainment – and worked at Genesco Sports Enterprises, Jack Morton Worldwide, and Major League Baseball prior to entering the esports industry.
He commented on his new role in a release: “I’m thrilled to be leading one of the premier teams in the Overwatch League, especially as we look towards our 2020 home matches. Having previously worked on the Outlaws brand and with the players and staff, I have great relationships in place and know we have a very bright future. The Outlaws have some of the most dedicated and passionate fans in the league; and I look forward to engaging with and growing that fan base. I am also excited to continue my work with our terrific, supportive brand partners.”
When Immortals Gaming Club acquired Infinite Esports & Entertainment in June, Activision Blizzard informed the company that it had to sell Houston Outlaws as soon as possible due to ownership rules for the league. IGC already owns and operates Los Angeles Valiant.
Houston-based real state investor Lee Zieben hasagreed in principal to purchase the franchise for a total of $40 million (£32.9 million), according to a recent report. The acquisition is expected to be closed by the end of August.
Esports Insider says: It’s clear that DeAppolonio knows the Outlaws due to his previous experience but running a company is a whole other beast. It’s a strange time to hire a new President when the franchise is undergoing an acquisition, but we’re sure it makes more sense behind the scenes.