While NRG was revealing the roster for the San Francisco Overwatch League team earlier, NetEase, owner of the Shanghai Overwatch League franchise, was preparing to reveal something neither NRG nor any of the other owners have yet to reveal: the team branding.
Allow us to acquaint you with the @ShanghaiDragons.
— Overwatch League (@overwatchleague) September 29, 2017
First look: https://t.co/NLhW1a0JYO pic.twitter.com/zjwXw26mtR
The Chinese representatives in the inaugural season of the Overwatch League will be playing under the name Shanghai Dragons. Additionally, a logo was revealed as well as the team's colors of red, yellow, white, and black alongside a picture of Mei that has led to some speculation that it could be the first public example of a team-based skin and even potential esports monetization within the game.
The Overwatch League's Shanghai franchise is officially here #ShanghaiDragons #OverwatchLeague #OWL
— Shanghai Dragons (@ShanghaiDragons) September 29, 2017
https://t.co/vanoyxb3Yb pic.twitter.com/V0tuBMfJ5c
The team issued a press release that explained the reasoning behind its choices in branding:
In Chinese culture, the dragon symbolizes the spirit of that which is sacred, powerful, and supreme. The Shanghai Dragons' logo combines the team’s name and a dragon figure to call upon the history of this symbol. The letter S outlined by the body of the dragon represents Shanghai, and the smooth line design is a nod to the strategic skill and flexibility of the team. Furthermore, red is present as a theme color for the Shanghai Dragons’ logo in order to emphasize its Chinese connection.
While the team may be the first to release its name and logo, it has yet announce a roster. While Team Seoul and San Francisco already have at least six players, there has yet to be any reports of any players signing with Shanghai Dragons. But, as the only Chinese Overwatch League team to be competing in the league's first season, the franchise has the luxury of little competition for players' signatures within its region and can perhaps afford to take more time than other teams in building its roster.