For anyone with the dream of becoming a professional basketball player for the NBA now is your chance. Well, sort of, the NBA has decided to join up with Take Two, the creators of the NBA 2K video games series. That’s right they have decided to team up to create an esports league centered around this competitive game. Each of the 30 NBA Teams will Create an NBA 2K Esports League. This will be in NBA 2K form. However, initially the NBA 2K Esports League expects somewhere around 8-12 teams.
How will all of this play out? Each team will consists of a five man squad, playing in an five month season. NBA 2K Esports League teams that are good enough will make it to the playoffs and eventually a championship game. Gamers will also receive salaries and training throughout the season. It also seems that they will not be using professional players in the game, but will control custom avatars.
Games Could Be Shown On Television Broadcasts As Well As Online
The great thing about this format is that according to Take Two CEO Strauss Zelnick, teams won’t have to travel because all games are played on the internet. This gives the league flexibility in searching for the best players. NBA commissioner Adam Silver indicates that games could be shown on television broadcasts as well as online.
Join the eKnicks in the New NBA 2k Esports League?
Adam Silver says, “There’s going to be an opportunity for this first of a kind league to attract a group of gamers who might be playing some other game. Now, they can say `Maybe I couldn’t play for the Knicks, because I didn’t have the physical prowess to compete at that level. But I do have the mental and physical prowess to compete as an egamer for the eKnicks.”
This league is good news and the NBA is on board because they believe that esports can be a potential money maker going into the future. An idea that the Philadelphia 76ers agree with, in addition to other NBA owners as well as NFL owner Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys.
Las Vegas Has Potential To Host NBA 2K Esports League Events
What does this mean for esports in Las Vegas? The NBA has had interest in holding many events in Las Vegas throughout the years. For example, the All-Star game was once held here, and the D league plays games here every year. With the new T-Moblie Arena, it is not out of the question to think that events could be held here for the new NBA 2K league. Who knows, they may even have playoff games here. It is also important to note that Adam Silver announced this league while at the Sports Business Innovation event at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas.