OpTic Gaming have signed Matt "coolmatt69" Iorio and Austin "Muma" Wilmot from the team FNRGFE as the first part of the Houston-based Overwatch League roster, sources close to the players and team told ESPN.
To manage the new lineup, the team has hired commentator and analyst Matt "Flame" Rodriguez as general manager, sources said. Rodriguez previously worked with the team, and its new investment group led by Texas Rangers co-owner Neil Leibman and advisor Chris Chaney, as a consultant while those parties negotiated for league participation.
Coolmatt69 and Muma have competed with FNRGFE in the Overwatch Contenders over the last few months and are currently set to participate in the series' playoffs on Oct. 7 against Team Envy in the new Blizzard Arena. Coolmatt69 is also a part of Team USA that will partake in the Overwatch World Cup in Anaheim, California in November at BlizzCon.
The players will relocate to Los Angeles in the coming months. The first season of the Overwatch League is set to launch its preseason on Dec. 6. out of the Burbank, California-based Blizzard Arena. The regular season begins Jan. 10.
OpTic obtained the Houston Overwatch League slot in August after negotiating with developer Blizzard Entertainment. The team was the twelfth to gain a slot, in the same round as the eleventh buyer, Comcast Spectacor.
OpTic Gaming declined to comment when contacted by ESPN.com.