North American esports agency XDOTG has secured the operating rights to Vancouver Surge, a Call of Duty League franchise owned by Canucks Sports and Entertainment.
Announced by XDOTG founder Alex Gonzalez, the agency will operate and manage the franchise for the 2026 season.
Announced on November 6th, 2025, the agency’s partnership with Canucks Sports and Entertainment is the first since launching in September. The agency didn’t disclose financial details of the deal.
Alongside the partnership, Gonzalez has revealed Ricky ‘Atura‘ Lugo, Nate ‘Swagchecked‘ Betancourt, and Jaden ‘Kazbo‘ Kurtz will join the franchise. Atura will become the Vancouver Surge Head Coach and General Manager, with Kazbo becoming its Creative Director, and Swagchecked joining as its Brand Manager.
The trio is no stranger to Call of Duty esports, having recently worked with Challengers organisation OMiT in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone.
Gonzalez and former Enthusiast Gaming executives launched XDOTG in September following the sale of Luminosity Gaming to Vertiqal Studios in August. In the months following the acquisition, Vertiqal Studios has seemingly released several content creators from their contracts.
Vancouver Surge In 2025
Throughout 2025, Vancouver Surge established itself as one of the Call of Duty League’s top franchises.
In March and April, it scored consecutive second-place finishes at Major 2 and 3 before ending the Black Ops 6 season with another second-place finish at the CDL Championship 2025.
On August 13th, it parted ways with its entire roster with the aim of revamping the lineup ahead of the Black Ops 7 season beginning in December. Vancouver Surge has yet to reveal which players will represent the franchise.
Gonzalez has gained a wealth of experience in Call of Duty in recent years. XDOTG joining forces with Canucks Sports and Entertainment as its first partnership has the potential to attract other notable stakeholders to its expanding portfolio.
