In celebration of their 30th anniversary, collectible sports card company Upper Deck has entered a multi-year deal with Overwatch League to create both digital and physical cards featuring players and teams of the Overwatch League. This is the first time that Upper Deck has done anything like this before, and with the TV spot that Overwatch League has, I think this is going to be very beneficial for both company's and to further promote OWL as a major esport. 

The first E-Pack cards are set to release on June 19 from the Upper Deck E-Pack web site and will show off moments from the first season of OWL. There is even going to be autograph cards available to collect as well as an achievement system where fans can earn avatars, cards incorporating other OWL memorabilia, and even shadowboxed cards. 

The first set will feature 125 cards from the original 12 teams. Just like their other line of sports cards, this will also feature inserts cards that highlight key moments, rivalries, league leaders, and special events. It will also have foil variants and also have cards printed on acetate, which will be rarer to obtain. 

Fans will be able to obtain their first cards from the new set at this week's All-Star game where fans will have a chance to get two exclusive "All-Star themed hero cards" only for a limited time via a QR code.

Daniel Siegel, head of the esports licensing over at Blizzard said:

Collaborating with Upper Deck allows the Overwatch League to offer fans everywhere the opportunity to collect and trade exclusive cards and collectibles—featuring their favorite teams and players—that can be cherished for years to come... This is an awesome milestone for our companies, and for esports as a whole

While this isn't the first time a company has tried to release digital cards, this is however the first time a major trading card company has signed onto an esports league to produce the product.  

President of Upper Deck Jason Masherah seems very excited for this new deal. 

We are very excited to collaborate with the Overwatch League for our first esports deal and to deliver new and innovative products to Overwatch League fans everywhere,

As a person who watches OWL, I am both excited and mad. I already buy enough Blizzard products and this is just going to be more money I have to spend. Curse you! 

What are your thoughts? Does this kind of legitimize esports? Are you going to purchase any yourself? Doesn't Bumper look super sexy on his trading card? Let us know down below. 

As always, this is James with Game Fix. Game on everybody!