Screengrab via [Activision Blizzard](https:\/\/investor.activision.com\/annual-reports)<\/figcaption><\/figure>
This slight detail may have been overlooked when Activision Blizzard’s 2017 annual report was first released on April 30. But following the initial success of the Overwatch <\/em>League, it now seems as if the company is ready to “launch additional professional esports initiatives.”<\/p>
“Later this year we intend to expand the number of Overwatch <\/em>teams and launch team sales for the Call of Duty <\/em>professional league,” the annual report reads. “Over time we believe our esports initiatives could rival traditional sports for audience interest, advertisers, sponsors, ticket sales, and merchandise sales (both virtual and physical).”<\/p>