Texas-based Outlaws Entertainment, once home to the beloved Houston Outlaws Overwatch League team, has closed its doors, less than a year after the league shuttered, the organization rebranded and dropped esports altogether.
A 5K OF DECAY 💥 #overwatch2 #esports #gaming
The organization announced its demise in a subdued post on X (formerly Twitter) on July 26. "Since our founding seven years ago as the Houston Outlaws, we have experienced an extraordinary journey filled with unforgettable moments," the organization said, adding that despite launching in the OWL's inaugural season, it stated that it was "unable to deliver a sustainable business model."
In addition to their efforts in Overwatch, the Outlaws also ran Team AXLE, a Rocket League team that was released last October after two seasons. “Thank you Outlaws Nation. We were proud to have you as our community and we will miss you as we all move on,” the Outlaws statement concluded.
The Houston Outlaws, then owned by OpTic Gaming’s Infinite Esports, started the OWL’s inaugural seasons slowly in 2017. The team wouldn’t find major success in Overwatch until its penultimate season in 2022, when they finished third after an energetic playoff run and a narrow loss to eventual champions Dallas Fuel. The team would go on to cement their performance in 2023, the OWL’s final season, qualifying for the Grand Finals but losing 4-0 to Florida Mayhem.
