Meet the New Owner: M80 Founder Marco on Championship Ambitions and Bringing a Major Back to Boston

Today, we have the opportunity to sit down with Marco, the Founder and CEO of M80, who is the newest owner of a CDL team. It's an exciting day for his organization as they officially take over the Boston Breach spot and embark on their journey in the CDL. We discuss everything related to the CDL and explore their future plans.

Organization Q&A

Why have you decided to join the Call of Duty League (CDL)?

Marco: Call of Duty is one of the most beloved gaming IPs worldwide, and we are all passionate about the game ourselves. An opportunity to be a part of the CDL was something we have been looking at for some time, and we are excited to get the season started.

📸 Photo by @CODLeague

What are your long-term plans for the organization while being part of the CDL? Do you see yourself hosting an event in the future?

Marco: We intend to be a good partner for the league and support its future growth. It's really the perfect time to enter with viewership and fan engagement at an all-time high. We intend to be competitive and support our fans with content and live events throughout the season. We 100% intend to bring a CDL Major back to Boston to build on what the Breach did so well.

We've seen mixed results from new organizations joining the CDL. While it's an exciting time for fans, some teams have struggled to perform. What would you say to fans who hope to see you become competitive and treat the CDL and its players with the respect they deserve?

Marco: M80 only enters an esport to win. Competitive success is key to what we are building, and we will always strive to build a team that achieves it. It is no secret that the best teams in the league are also running the most successful businesses as well.

Do you believe in the long-term stability of Call of Duty esports?

Marco: 100% - Activision is a great publishing partner, and I believe they are committed to growing the league long-term and building on the success of this past season. I can say there are many top esports orgs that would love to be a part of the CDL. You just have to find the right opportunity.

We've noticed that teams generally achieve better results when they practice and compete from a facility or team house instead of playing remotely. What is your plan for the roster you will build this year?

Marco: Playing together has a huge impact on winning. Building the team culture is so important. We will bring the team together to compete out of the Texas and also bring them to Boston for content and events.

Do you plan to engage in content creation related to Call of Duty?

Marco: In the past, fans have felt more connected to teams that share narratives through documentaries and videos, allowing them to feel part of something larger. Content is king, and yes, we will support our fans with content about the team and more. More to announce soon regarding this.

In three years, what do you hope your team will have accomplished?

Marco: Build an engaged fanbase, win a couple of Majors, and at least one Champs. Also, bring a Major back to Boston.

Fan Questions

What is your favorite Call of Duty game that you have played, and why?

Marco: COD4 (2019) for me. Was the biggest step up in Call of Duty IMO and it really changed what we expect from a FPS. I am also loving MW4 as it feels like a successor to that game in many ways. Lots of things to tweak after the beta, but that's what betas are for. I think with the right maps this year's game could be top of the list.

📸 Photo by @M80Boston

From an outsider's perspective, what do you think the league is doing well? Where do you think it still needs improvement?

Marco: The league has done an incredible job with the live events and fan engagement. I also love the formats that allow Challengers teams to compete on the main stage with CDL teams. It's a great way to build storylines and also see how emerging talent stacks up against the top players. I think improvement will come with more competitive teams in the league and organizations committed to winning. The best success you see in all esports is when Publishers and Organizations work together to create a great product.

What is your philosophy on building a roster? Do you prefer to sign established players, or are you willing to take risks on challenger talent?

Marco: The first priority is building a roster that can compete with anyone on a given Sunday. M80 has always valued developing young talent across all of our titles, and we will continue to do that in the CDL. We also like to work with top players and veterans who bring a professional approach to the game and can be leaders both in and out of the server.

Do you watch the CDL, and how extensive is your knowledge about the scene?

Marco: Yes, I watch CDL and have attended a bunch of events (both Boston Majors, DreamHack ATL, EWC) as a fan. Love the energy and highly competitive nature of the league. I will be at every Major and Champs next season, so excited to meet fans and engage. I'm looking forward to working with other teams and ownership groups to make the CDL the best it can be.