This week we talked with Alexandre Simoes, Director of Players and Personnel, and Brandon Kim, CEO, of the Mosaic Esports organization. Many people are looking at their philosophy of building a professional Overwatch team right now with the Overwatch League about to start. However, Brandon and Alex have a plan, it is a good one, and it involves Phoenix, Arizona as the home to a future team.

Brandon and Alex explained that right now with all the teams disbanding because of the Overwatch League it is a good time to pick up top talent. Not everyone will make it into the league for season one and analysts have been saying that some top players may be left out. Brandon is looking at this disruption as an opportunity to build a solid team and get them practicing right away for Contenders Season 2 which is set as the feeder division for Overwatch League. Brandon said, “Orgs disbanding is a bit of an overreaction, you have to see the forest through the trees, this creates a huge opportunity.”

Brandon and Alex are not wrong at all. There is plenty of top talent out there and building a team now for a potential season two spot in the Overwatch League is a solid plan. We asked if their intention was to be the Phoenix team for OWL, here is Brandon’s response. “That is our goal to represent the Overwatch League in Phoenix. Diamondbacks host various eSports night at their games, and there is a eSports team built up in Arizona Technology Council looking into making Phoenix a eSports hub. No other city has that much dedication to eSports. We currently have a consortium built and added to make a serious push for OWL season 2 in Phoenix.”

Alex explained that the team is working on coming over from Europe and scouting out new talent as well. It seems like right now Overwatch players think if they do not have an OWL spot they are finished. That is not true at all. Mosaic is here to say that you do not have to be an OWL player to further your career. It is still so much in its infancy, there is a ton of opportunity out there. The team is looking to build a solid foundation of players who want to grow with Mosaic. Brandon said we want players with “the ego to win and the humility to play as a team.” Brandon also said, “I see more collaboration and development of professional organizations and collegiate esports teams to provide further structure and talent pool for eSports, especially in OW.”

Alex went on to say, “I don’t like to see teams disbanding, it hurts Overwatch as a game. Too many organization are saying they will ‘wait and see with OWL’ well we are not waiting!” Brandon explained that Phoenix continues to seek out esports opportunities with organizations like the Cardinals and Diamondbacks reviewing the statistics. These are top MLB and NFL teams who are starting to see the potential. Brandon explained that early reports show top sports team who host an esports team see fans crossover. With this type of support, Brandon sees season two of the Overwatch League really coming into its own. Brandon explained, “Every organization needs a team of visionary leaders at the top that understands the fair balance of competition and business. More importantly, the biggest x-factor in all of this is community involvement. We need visionaries in that city to get behind the team. For example in Phoenix, there is a huge movement in progress that has created a nurturing environment for Mosaic to establish and build.” He wants to be in position for tier one and tier two teams to have a place to play and grow. These teams will also work on the collegiate level in Arizona which continues to see esports build quickly. Alex explained that 2017 is the launching pad, as 2018 will see the scene explode onto the mainstream.

Right now, we will follow team Mosaic as the build up their roots in Arizona, this group is very serious and we are excited to see them in Contenders. If 2018 becomes a breakout season two for the Overwatch League you could already have your Phoenix team.