According to multiple sources, Oxygen Esports is in the process of laying off all staff and ceasing operations entirely, just three years after partnering with New England Patriots owner Kraft Sports & Entertainment.
Oxygen (OXG) was founded in 2020 and merged with Robert Kraft’s company not long after, allowing them to fund teams in multiple esports including Valorant, Rocket League, Rainbow Six, Apex Legends, and creating the Call of Duty League franchise Boston Breach.
While some of the organization’s teams earned respectable placements throughout their tenure under the OXG banner. However, despite ambitious attempts to put together strong rosters, they failed to bring home championships for their Helix Esports facility at Patriot Place.
Several Dexerto sources have claimed that Oxygen Esports’s end is nigh. The organization is laying off all staff amid plans to cease operations completely.
Players for the Boston Breach have been told that they will lose access to the Helix facility and be out of their apartments by August 8 — just days before they head to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for a $1.8 million Modern Warfare 3 tournament.
Riyadh bound ✈️ Introducing our roster for the @EWC_EN. 🟢 @Snzopy 🟢 @Owakening 🟢 @Purjxng 🟢 @CammyMVP #IntotheBreach | #EsportsWorldCup pic.twitter.com/emO1fvdWFh
— Boston Breach (@BostonBreach) July 22, 2024
The situation is still developing for Oxygen and their staff, some of whom told Dexerto they had been “left in the dark” but that “all of us are affected,” including players.
This news comes just days after the Oxygen-owned Shift Summer League playoffs in Rocket League were suspended 30 minutes before they were due to start on August 6.
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Staff for the event were reportedly told that the promise they would be paid would no longer be fulfilled, and were urged to continue working for free.
For Transparency:We (admins/production/staff) were promised to be paid for working this event. We only found out today (along with Shift) that @OXG_Esports is refusing to pay us. Not only that, but they told us to continue working for free https://t.co/QfsYOrZJ4U
— Luke / Husky (@RIVALhusk) August 6, 2024
At the time of writing, several sources claimed that the board and shareholders are attempting to “resolve” the situation.
Among staff, this is expected to be formalities around severance pay and should be made official by Friday, August 9.
At the time of writing, it is unclear what this means for the future of the 12th Call of Duty League spot, though several organizations have quietly expressed interest in joining, especially since Activision decided to eliminate the $25m entry fee and refund all fees already paid to organizations.
Dexerto has reached out to Oxygen for comment.