The Call of Duty League (CDL) has finally secured a 12th team for next season, following the merging of OpTic Chicago with Dallas Empire earlier this year to create OpTic Texas, which left the league with only 11 teams. Oxygen Esports LLC and Boston Uprising LLC announced their plan to combine their orgs, and establish a Boston-based CDL franchise on Wednesday. Roster announcements for the new CDL team are expected soon.

"I’m excited to welcome our newest team, Boston, to our 2022 season line-up,” said Brandon Snow, Head of Activision Blizzard Esports in a press release. “Oxygen Esports and Kraft Sports and Entertainment represent some of the very best organizations in all of esports, sports and entertainment. Boston is no stranger to championship titles, and we fully expect them to build a winner in Boston as we open our third season in Call of Duty League”

Boston Uprising is owned by the Kraft Family, led by Robert Kraft, billionaire and CEO of the New England Patriots. Kraft bought ownership of the Boston Uprising in 2017. Now in this new partnership of Oxygen Esports, the Kraft group will be expanding into Activision Blizzard's CDL as well.

“The Kraft family could not be more excited to broaden their exposure to esports.” said a Kraft family spokesperson. “By combining the Boston Uprising with Oxygen Esports, and the announcement of a Boston Call of Duty League franchise, New England will be a powerful player in competitive gaming. With Oxygen functioning as the operator and their multitude of new titles and leagues, they are shaping the future of esports for all New England gaming fans.”

The new merge comes with an additional $20 million USD capital infusion from Banner Ventures and other investors. The OXG headquarters will be based out of Patriot Place complex in Foxborough, Mass., the same place Boston Uprising currently trains.

There has been a lot of hype and excitement around the announcement of the 12th CDL franchise. There were rumors that Washington Justice was looking to expand into the slot, but that arrangement reportedly fell through. With the establishment of the new team, we can expect the announcement of the team name and roster moves in near future.