NBA 2K eLeague is slated to be the first eSports league owned and operated by the same professional sports league itself. A partnership between the NBA and Take-Two Interactive Software, the league offers gamers the chance to "get paid by some of the same people who pay LeBron James and Steph Curry," as the press release cheekily puts it.
Both the NBA as a league and eSports as an entertainment product have been exploding over the past few years, so the combination of the two is mutually beneficial. Beyond league-wide operation, individual teams within NBA 2K eLeague will be owned by various NBA franchises. The league will open in 2018 with eight to twelve teams, but it is expected to expand to have teams for each of the NBA's 30 franchises in the future.
Professional eSports Basketball Leagues
'NBA 2K eLeague' Will Be Owned by the NBA and Take-Two
Trend Themes
1. Professional Esports Leagues - Disruptive innovation opportunities in developing and monetizing professional eSports leagues.
2. Integration of Traditional Sports and Esports - Disruptive innovation opportunities in merging traditional sports with eSports to reach a wider audience.
3. Expansion of Esports Franchise Ownership - Disruptive innovation opportunities in creating new revenue streams through the ownership of eSports franchises.
Industry Implications
1. Sports Entertainment - Disruptive innovation opportunities in leveraging the growing popularity of eSports to create engaging sports entertainment experiences.
2. Video Game Development - Disruptive innovation opportunities in developing and optimizing video games specifically for professional eSports leagues.
3. Media and Broadcasting - Disruptive innovation opportunities in providing streaming and broadcasting services for professional eSports leagues and events.