NBA Becomes First Sports League to Create a Gaming League
Throughout the past couple of years, esports has grown at an exponential rate. If you’re not familiar with what esports, it’s a form of competition that is facilitated by electronic systems, particularly video games; just think professional video gamer. The NBA is taking their gaming platform to a whole new level by getting involved.
The NBA is creating a brand new league called ‘NBA 2K,’ an eLeague in partnership with Take-Two, the developers of the NBA 2K video games. The competitive gaming league will debut in 2018, making it the first time a traditional sports league will operate an esports league.
The NBA & Take-Two are announcing a partnership forming the #NBA2KeLeague – the first competitive gaming league of its kind! pic.twitter.com/UqcSyKsnam
— NBA (@NBA) February 9, 2017
The cool thing about eLeague is that it will mirror a regular NBA schedule with a regular season, bracketed playoffs and a championship. On ESPN’s SportsCenter, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said that the teams of five in the NBA 2K eLeague will be run by existing NBA teams and eventually every team will be represented.
“Instead of the Mavericks, we’ll have the eMavericks,” Silver said. “Instead of the Bucks, we’ll have the eBucks.”
Silver also mentioned that the league will be a global competition, and players will be picked up from a draft, although teams have the option to sign players who don’t participate in the draft.
“With this new venture, Take-Two and the NBA aim to fuel the accelerating growth of esports and take the thrill of competition to exciting new heights,” said Strauss Zelnick, chairman and CEO of Take-Two.
This will be pretty big move for the NBA if it turns out to be successful. We could see the NFL, MLB and other major sports league following their idea. What do you guys think about NBA getting into Esports?
Source: Mashable
