Legendary Counter-Strike org hint at CWL Pro League entry

Famed esports organization Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP), best known for their storied history in Counter-Strike 1.6 and Global Offensive, have hinted at a move into Call of Duty esports in 2019.

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The qualifiers for the CWL Pro League concluded on Sunday, January 20, with all 16 league spots now assigned ahead of matches beginning on February 4.

Of the 12 teams which earned their spot through the LAN qualifier, only one did so under no organization, “Team Spacely”, and remain ‘orgless’ with only seven days before organizations are locked in.

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The team qualified with a 3-3 record in their group, before beating APAC team Tainted Minds, European side Red Reserve and a second APAC squad in Mindfreak to secure their spot, losing only a single map in the three playoff series.

• More: How much prize money can Call of Duty pros win at the CWL Pro League?

They were placed in Division A, alongside the likes of OpTic Gaming, Luminosity and Evil Geniuses, and so are an exciting prospect for any organizations looking to move into Call of Duty and guarantee entry straight into the Pro League.

A number of potential suitors have been rumored, but in a surprise move, the Swedish organization NiP have seemingly thrown their hat into the ring for Team Spacely’s signature, with a telling reply to Spacely himself.

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Spacely seemed receptive to the potential of playing under the Swedish organization too, replying “I think you guys would have a blast”.

Rumors ahead of the qualifier were that Denial Esports, who fielded a world championship winning team in Call of Duty in 2015, had been in discussions to sign Team Spacely.

However, with Spacely’s team now guaranteed a spot in the Pro League for the entirety of the Black Ops 4 season, and with a franchised league expected in 2020, big name organizations may look for an easy entry point to Call of Duty esports.

NiP, if they are serious about possibly acquiring a Pro League team, may face stiff competition from other organizations whose teams failed to qualify, including FaZe Clan and G2 Esports.

Another organization which has directly hinted at acquiring Team Spacely is Rise Nation, who fielded multiple successful rosters in Call of Duty from 2014 – 2018, even winning three major tournaments in the 2018 season before disbanding their team.