According to a report from The Esports Observer's Kevin Hitt, Overwatch League Commissioner Pete Vlastelica is stepping down from his role as commissioner of the Overwatch League.
Vlastelica, who is also the president and CEO of Activision Blizzard Esports, stepped into the role following Nate Nanzer's May 2019 departure from the Overwatch League to oversee esports at Epic Games.
Pete Vlastelica is reportedly stepping down as commissioner of the Overwatch League. Image credit: Robert Paul for Blizzard Entertainment.
Nanzer often served as the public face of the Overwatch League as its commissioner, but Vlastelica, especially in 2020, has not played the same role. Jon Spector, who is the Overwatch League's vice president, has often spoken on behalf of the league throughout the current Overwatch League season.
The league has faced challenges caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic this season, which was originally set to be the first with weekly homestands hosted by the franchises. None of the league's five Asian franchises had the opportunity to host homestands and several weeks of North American competition took place before the league went all-online. It has remained that way since and while the final four postseason teams are travelling to South Korea for the finals, the grand finals will be an online competition.
An Activision Blizzard spokesperson told The Esports Observer in a statement that Vlastelica "will transition from his role in [Activision Blizzard Esports] to focus on new entrepreneurial ventures on behalf of Activision Blizzard, following the Overwatch League Grand Finals."
The Overwatch League has not officially announced the change nor have they indicated who they are considering as a potential replacement.
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