Esports team for Overwatch 2 formed through collaboration between Sign and NTMR
In a groundbreaking move, Sign, a blockchain-based organisation, and esports club NTMR have formed a strategic partnership. This alliance will see Sign loaning NTMR's entire Overwatch 2 roster to compete under the Sign Esports banner during the 2025 Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS) Mid-Season Championship and the Esports World Cup (EWC) held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Partnership's Focus
The primary focus of this partnership is to elevate team performance at high-profile international events such as the Esports World Cup 2025. To optimise player readiness and synergy for the EWC competition, Sign and NTMR have organised a pre-tournament bootcamp in South Korea.
Although the loan agreement is temporary, it positions both parties for potential longer-term collaboration depending on results and developments in the Overwatch 2 esports scene.
The Roster and Tournament Performance
The loaned roster includes key players such as Kronik, Lep, Lukemino, Painkiller, RhynO, and Rokit. As of August 2025, Sign Esports (comprising the NTMR roster) participated in the OWCS Mid-Season Championship and represented North America at the EWC. The team's total reported winnings are approximately $20,000, with detailed tournament results beyond participation yet to be extensively reported.
Impact on the Esports Landscape
This collaboration marks a notable crossover of a blockchain-based organisation engaging actively in mainstream esports. It illustrates innovative team management and branding strategies within Overwatch 2 esports, potentially shaping how esports organisations collaborate and brand rosters in the emerging professional landscape.
The partnership brings additional resources and potentially enhanced training support, such as international bootcamps, which could raise competitive standards and attract further sponsorships or partnerships. Community response has been mixed, with some fan concerns voiced; however, NTMR’s CEO highlighted the beneficial professional growth opportunities for players as a positive driver of this move.
The Future
Whether this partnership will lead to a permanent presence in competitive gaming or expansion into additional titles remains uncertain. The specific post-tournament plans for Sign Esports remain undisclosed. The prize pool for the OWCS Mid-Season Championship is $1 million, and the team will wear newly designed Sign-branded orange jerseys during the competition.
The new competitive outfit is called the Sign Esports Club, and the team will represent Sign Esports during the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The broader aspirations of the partnership between Sign Esports and NTMR may span beyond the current Overwatch 2 campaign.
The partnership between Sign Esports and NTMR signals Sign's deeper interest in the esports ecosystem. The lines between technology, sports, and media are likely to continue blurring, leading to more prominent collaborations within the global esports landscape. NTMR's General Manager and CEO, Jack 'Fl4k' Ketchum, has assured supporters that he will continue backing the team during their time with Sign.
This partnership is specific to the Overwatch 2 scene. Victory in the OWCS Mid-Season Championship offers one of the most coveted titles in the Overwatch competitive circuit. The collaboration between Sign Esports and NTMR is hinted to be the start of a new chapter for Sign Esports. The partnership is temporary, with the team revertiing to competing under the NTMR name once OWCS Stage 3 resumes.
- The partnership between Sign, a blockchain-based organization, and esports club NTMR could extend beyond the temporary loan of NTMR's Overwatch 2 roster, especially if the team achieves success in high-profile tournaments like the Esports World Cup 2025.
- Sign's involvement in esports through their partnership with NTMR is an example of how technology and finance sectors might influence and invest in sports, thereby shaping the professional esports landscape, including potential sponsorships and branding strategies.
