NBA 2K12 News Post

NBA 2K12 Cover Athletes - Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird

12:00 PM - July 21, 2011 by Steve_OS

Jordan Returns: 2K Sports Announces
Trio of NBA® 2K12 Covers Featuring Three NBA Icons

Michael Jordan, joined by Larry Bird and Magic Johnson,
to grace three unique artistic covers in celebration of NBA legacy

New York, NY – July 21, 2011 – 2K Sports announced today that NBA® 2K12, the next installment of the top-rated and best-selling NBA video game simulation franchise*, will offer three separate covers for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360®video game and entertainment system from Microsoft featuring three of the NBA’s greatest legends of all time, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.

The new stylized NBA 2K12 covers are a unique, one-time departure from the traditional 2K Sports brand artwork, and will spotlight each legendary athlete on his famous team: the Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. The covers featuring Bird and Johnson will be available at launch in a limited quantity.

A new feat in sports gaming, this three-part collection extends the strong legacy established by NBA 2K11, which has sold-in more than 5 million units worldwide and garnered over 20 video game accolades, including 14 ‘Sports Game of the Year’ honors.

“Bringing Michael Jordan to the virtual hardwood last year was a huge success for NBA 2K11; however, we didn’t want to stop there,” said Jason Argent, vice president of marketing for 2K Sports. “We’re bringing ‘His Airness’ back to the NBA 2K franchise as part of a multi-year extended partnership, along with two other legendary icons – Larry Bird and Magic Johnson – for a special cover athlete collection representing the NBA’s greatest heroes.”

The unprecedented, stylized artwork covers underscore 2K Sports’ passion for bringing fans authentic NBA basketball across generations, while celebrating the legacy of legendary hoops athletes, past and present.

The cover artwork for NBA 2K12 was created by Adam Larson of Adam&Co. Larson has created dynamic artwork for galleries, magazines and various product advertising campaigns. His work has received numerous honors, including the Kelly Awards, Cannes Lions, Clio Awards, and two primetime Emmy nominations

NBA 2K12 can now be pre-ordered from leading video game retailers nationwide, and will be available on October 4, 2011, for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360, Wii™ system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and Windows PC.

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Member Comments

# 261 STLRams @ 07/22/11 09:36 AM

Interesting list, but im hoping for some more 80's teams and early 90's. Ofcourse Im guessing the early MJ Bulls will be included and the championship Bulls, but Im hoping the 93 Suns, 92 Knicks, 89 Pistons, 86 Lakers, 86 Celtics, 96 Sonics, 89 Hawks, etc will also be included.

# 262 VDusen04 @ 07/22/11 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlp111


	so sounds like this rumor is turning out to be true http://www.kanyetothe.com/forum/index.php?topic=81156.0

At this point, as others have said, I'd put zero stock into that post. There's no reference and 2K seems to be relatively tight-lipped on what they have in store. All signs point toward fiction there.

# 263 boodahisthe1 @ 07/22/11 10:14 AM

I am a serious JORDAN FAN and i am very excited about him being on the cover again..i collect his sneakers, artwork, cards, magazine covers, basically anything jordan..so serious that my daughter's middle name is jordan..normally i would trade in the previously released nba 2k for the newest one but becuz of MJ these game are goin into my collection and will be kept forever..GOOD JOB 2K

# 264 X12Celtics3 @ 07/22/11 10:28 AM

I wish the Bird cover had a different background, I think that the Johnson and Bird covers should feature colors that match their respective teams.

# 265 VDusen04 @ 07/22/11 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X12Celtics3


	I wish the Bird cover had a different background, I think that the Johnson and Bird covers should feature colors that match their respective teams.

Not that this justifies it or anything, but I read yesterday that 2K's reasoning for the red background on each cover was a couple of things. 1) They feel red is their company's primary color (matching the "2K" logo) and 2) They were at least a little worried about giving off the idea of the Larry and Magic versions being different than the MJ version. I guess they thought different players may be confusing enough for some, where an entirely different colored box may lead to "Um, what's the difference between all three versions? Am I making a mistake by only buying Larry?" amongst many consumers.

# 266 mkharsh33 @ 07/22/11 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlp111


	so sounds like this rumor is turning out to be true http://www.kanyetothe.com/forum/index.php?topic=81156.0

Who knows...but I found Bow Bow Bow I's avatar to be captivating.

# 267 ybtherockstar @ 07/22/11 11:30 AM

@mkharsh33 are you gonna get this game and continue your awesome classic roster work on this game?

# 268 laroche360 @ 07/22/11 11:32 AM

i don't believe in this list either,it's more wishfull thinking than Reality,it also does not make any sense at all..

# 269 mkharsh33 @ 07/22/11 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ybtherockstar


	@mkharsh33 are you gonna get this game and continue your awesome classic roster work on this game?

My current answer is no...my answer in a couple months from now will probably be yes.

# 270 ybtherockstar @ 07/22/11 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkharsh33


	My current answer is no...my answer in a couple months from now will probably be yes.

Haha fair enough!

# 271 jd@os @ 07/22/11 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkharsh33


	How much of an impact do you guys think the high number of downloads & high ratings of the classic rosters on 2K share has on decisions from Ronnie's end?? Do you think they note the popularity of these roster file at 2K, and does that have any bearing on their decisions (or are they oblivious to the 2k downloads)??

It's gotta mean something. MessenjahMatt went from a regular Joe to someone who has been mentioned on ESPN. You know the folks at 2K look at what people do with their game, and now they did it to their game.

I posted this a long time ago, but I wouldn't be shocked if 2K changed the background of the Bird and Magic covers because EA changed the cover of PS3's NCAA Football 11 from preview to release date. But then again, they could keep the cover and it would look just fine; Topspin 4 has a red, black, and white background but the 3 players on it are wearing red, orange, green, white, and navy but it looks fine.

# 272 myghty @ 07/22/11 04:42 PM

Even though I'm a Laker fan I will get the Jordan cover. Sowwy Magic.

# 273 Ike04 @ 07/22/11 05:21 PM

amazing. very clever on 2k's part. nice way to build off of last year. personally i prefer the magic cover.

# 274 dan04103 @ 07/22/11 05:56 PM

I can't think of three players who carried their league better than these three. Great move!

USDA Approved.

# 275 tonybologna @ 07/22/11 05:58 PM

Look out Larry! Here I come to get ya Bird!

# 276 aloncho11 @ 07/22/11 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VDusen04


	Most of the time, I've heard it's one of two things (or both): 1) Existing contracts with other video game companies. MJ with his "Chaos in the Windy City" and Charles Barkley with his "Shut up and Jam". Probably more likely: 2) I've heard MJ (and probably Charles) were not parts of the NBA Player's Association, meaning all negotiations for their likeness had to be settled individually. Through a steep price, or just an unwillingness to participate, basketball companies and these two could not come to terms. I don't know what changed for MJ when he returned with Washington. I always kind of assumed he just joined the Player's Association.

I think it was a more personal (smart) move here with some marketing items (agents also involved). Before the 1992 All-Star break, MJ tells the league that from now on, his face is worth $$$ and will cost the NBA on any type of merchandising products it sells, at the time mainly T-shirts and caps, and the NBA answers "No" of course and take him off -all of this while MJ's mind is full despise for the NBA, their players and thinking about retiring to go and play baseball;yes this dates back to 1991-.

So MJ did appear on products that paid him endorsements at the time and after (we all know which ones) plus others like EASN (later EA Sports) which included video games like Bulls vs Lakers, Michael Jordan in Flight, USA Dream Team, Bulls vs Blazers and NBA Showdown '93. He also appeared on some limited edition items, like cartooned team championship T-Shirts (1992, 1993) with the condition that only the brand (in this case Champion) and not the league, could make money out of it. Same deal with the Dream Team T-Shirts (USA Basketball was fine by him, because it wasn't the NBA).

Anyway, back on topic!

# 277 sarlndr @ 07/22/11 08:54 PM

I wish they had gone with an old school Magic cover to be honest. The covers all look great though.

# 278 VDusen04 @ 07/22/11 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarlndr


	I wish they had gone with an old school Magic cover to be honest. The covers all look great though.

You mean like one from Magic in the early 80's? I didn't look very closely but it did seem to be a relatively modern Magic photo. Is it from his '96 comeback? Thought the shorts looked longer than typical Magic.

# 279 sportjames23 @ 07/22/11 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VDusen04


	You mean like one from Magic in the early 80's? I didn't look very closely but it did seem to be a relatively modern Magic photo. Is it from his '96 comeback? Thought the shorts looked longer than typical Magic.

Yup, that's where it's from. I would have went with '87 Magic myself.

# 280 aloncho11 @ 07/22/11 09:50 PM

I would've liked to see that too. A younger Magic and also a younger Michael..."key word...would have".

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