Cloud9 is reportedly finalizing a partnership with the reigning Call of Duty League champions, a move that would mark the first step in the blue brand's return to competitive CoD after seven years.

C9 is “in the process of establishing a partnership with the New York Subliners,” the 2023 champions of the CDL, according to a report from esports media outlet Sheep Esports. According to the report, this would allow C9 to achieve its “short-term goal” of competing in the Modern Warfare 3 tournament at the upcoming Esports World Cup.

The report claims that this partnership would eventually evolve into a “phase two” that would see C9 acquire the NXYL esports organization and merge it with the owner of the New York Subliners franchise. Mergers have not been uncommon in esports in recent years; OpTic and Envy merged in late 2021 to operate the OpTic Texas team in the CDL.

If the organization goes through with the reported acquisition, C9 could become the first of several esports organizations returning to competitive CoD following some well-received changes to the league structure earlier this year. Last April, the CDL announced that it would waive and refund all franchise entry fees, while also offering increased revenue and two-year minimum revenue guarantees. NXYL founder Farzam Kamel said at the time that the new team agreements would “make participation in the CDL much more attractive for any organization.”