NBA 2K17 News Post

NBA and Take-Two Launching NBA 2K eLeague in 2018, Teams Operated By NBA Franchises

01:22 AM - February 9, 2017 by bostonchipster

As pictured in the image above, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick, joins NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, at the league’s headquarters in New York, N.Y. on Wednesday, February 8th, 2017, as they announce plans to launch the NBA 2K eLeague, a new, professional competitive gaming league. NBA 2K eLeague will bring together the best basketball gamers in the world, and marks the first official eSports league operated by a U.S. professional sports league.

Read the official press release below. More details are scheduled to arrive later today.

NBA AND TAKE-TWO TO LAUNCH NBA 2K eLeague

First Official eSports League Operated by U.S. Professional Sports League Set for 2018 Debut

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO) today announced plans to launch the NBA 2K eLeague, a new, professional competitive gaming league that will bring together the best basketball gamers in the world. This marks the first official eSports league operated by a U.S. professional sports league.

Set to debut in 2018, this groundbreaking competitive gaming league will consist of teams operated by actual NBA franchises. The founding teams, each composed of five professional eSports players who will play the game as user-created avatars, will be announced in the coming months. The NBA 2K eLeague will follow a professional sports league format: competing head-to-head throughout a regular season, participating in a bracketed playoff system, and concluding with a championship matchup.

“We believe we have a unique opportunity to develop something truly special for our fans and the young and growing eSports community,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “We look forward to combining our best-in-class NBA sports team operators with Take-Two’s competitive gaming expertise to create a brand new league experience.”

“We are proud to expand our strong relationship with the NBA and co-create the NBA 2K eLeague,” said Strauss Zelnick, Chairman and CEO of Take-Two. “Through the NBA 2K series, which is renowned throughout the world for capturing the authenticity of the NBA and the passion of its fans, we have a proven track record of highly successful collaboration. 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.”

The relationship between NBA and Take-Two dates back to 1999, with the NBA 2K series selling over 68 million units worldwide. The most recent release, NBA 2K17, is the highest-rated annual sports game of the current console generation and the highest-rated title in the history of the NBA 2K series.(1) To date, NBA 2K17 has sold-in nearly 7 million units, and is poised to become 2K’s highest-selling sports title ever.

In December, 2K launched its second official eSports competition, NBA 2K17 All-Star Tournament, which offers teams of gamers the chance to win a trip to NBA All-Star 2017. The 5-on-5 tournament, featuring a $250,000 grand prize, will culminate on Feb. 17 in New Orleans.

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Member Comments

# 61 blk5tar5 @ 02/10/17 04:33 PM

# 62 Leasim96 @ 02/10/17 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yesh2k


	2k is basically printing money at this stage, so funding servers has never been a problem; willingness to spend money on them has held them back. NBA coming on board makes this a necessity now because they can't embarrass the league.

But thats the thing - it's a largely controversial subject - we don't actually know what happens behind the scenes. It would be easy to assume they have the money but just don't want to spend. When in reality it could be other things. Who knows.

One thing is for sure though - as you say - if they embarass the league they will look terrible. So the pressure is on. And that's what 2k needs - they don't have competition (Nba live etc) - they need pressure. Hopefully this results in something great for us. Both in game aspects, and hey - i personally would watch some games if the league turns out to be entertaining.

# 63 Crunky @ 02/10/17 04:46 PM

The only way I watch this is if they use actual real NBA players on their actual teams, who players get to select and go head to head against other teams in a 5 on 5 human matchup. So if I'm the raptors I get to select if I want to be Kyle Lowry or Demar Derozen same included for other players and I have to play with that single player for the whole season. I'm hoping that's what there talking about or else it will be a waste of time and no one would watch.

# 64 Crunky @ 02/10/17 04:51 PM

I meant to say each team should have 5 human players going against other 5 human player teams and they split the winnings in the tournament that would be dope.

# 65 ksuttonjr76 @ 02/10/17 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leasim96


	But thats the thing - it's a largely controversial subject - we don't actually know what happens behind the scenes. It would be easy to assume they have the money but just don't want to spend. When in reality it could be other things. Who knows. One thing is for sure though - as you say - if they embarass the league they will look terrible. So the pressure is on. And that's what 2k needs - they don't have competition (Nba live etc) - they need pressure. Hopefully this results in something great for us. Both in game aspects, and hey - i personally would watch some games if the league turns out to be entertaining.

Hopefully, they won't buckle underneath the pressure. That's a lot in my opinion. It's one thing to develop a game, and Big Brother NBA is not watching you. To develop a good game while Big Brother is watching AND got money invested?

Man, I don't envy the dev team.

# 66 ksuttonjr76 @ 02/10/17 05:45 PM

So...how many people do you think are going to change their mind about preordering NBA 2K18, lol?

# 67 Crunky @ 02/10/17 05:51 PM

I guess my dream of ejections and technicals wont happen now that NBA is in partnership with 2k.

# 68 jfsolo @ 02/10/17 06:33 PM

IMO, some people might have a skewed perspective of what kind of things would "embarrass the league"

I may be wrong, but I don't think the league is going to care about stuff like OP screens and dribble moves making people fall, or players habitually hitting shots from 40 feet. I think they expect "video game" stuff to happen in a video game, and won't see any of these gameplay shortcomings as any kind of negative reflection on the NBA.

Stuff like people saying inappropriate stuff on the mic or having vulgar gamertags are the kind of things that they will worry the most about, IMO.

# 69 OhNoTheBanHammer @ 02/10/17 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksuttonjr76


	So...how many people do you think are going to change their mind about preordering NBA 2K18, lol?

Dropping with 2K19 so I'm definitely not considering a pre-order the upcoming year.

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

# 70 NYCDaFuture @ 02/10/17 09:08 PM

Is this going to happen for NBA 2K19 or 2k18??

# 71 fatleg3 @ 02/10/17 10:12 PM

2K had a big esport tournament for 2k11 but only for play now online. Some of my best time ever playing video games came from qualifying for that tournament. This has my interest, but ONLY if it's real teams and I'm definitely trying to be apart if it's 1v1.

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

# 72 Black Bruce Wayne @ 02/11/17 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoLeafClover


	Why would I not just watch the real NBA instead? This seems idiotic. It's not like League of Legends or something in which there is no real life version that does everything about it better... People will seriously watch a terribly played and buggy digital version over the real thing? I weep for humanity.

Why did you sign up for OS and come here to say this? Shouldn't you have not bought a gaming system and taken your own advice?

# 73 trandoanhung1991 @ 02/11/17 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black Bruce Wayne


	Why did you sign up for OS and come here to say this? Shouldn't you have not bought a gaming system and taken your own advice?

You really think watching NBA 2K games will be interesting? He bought the game so he could play it, totally different.

# 74 ILLSmak @ 02/11/17 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jrocc23


	You're right. Sucks. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I bet not. Depends on the money, but you'll see some really good people, I think. Not that YouTubers aren't good, but there will be like some fighting game/leeg level players which will hopefully lead to the game becoming better.

I'm not planning to follow this league, but I think it will end up making the game better because they will have to balance it and it will highlight all of the flaws. It'll also be nice to hopefully see some players who are better than we could ever be. Maybe I am overestimating the level of talent they can get, but I'm imagining a level of precision that you should get from 'professional gamers.'

If it's a joke w/ a bunch of youtube people, that's gonna be wack. It might start out that way, but I think the amazing players will come in if they get a decent salary.

-Smak

# 75 ssimpsons3 @ 02/11/17 09:03 AM

They seriously aren't going to let just ANYBODY in.

Not many people have comprehended the fact, from reading the NBA.com article that: the ACTUAL NBA teams OWN the eLeague affiliate. As in, the Chicago Bulls would officially be paying you to represent them.

Anyone that: Has been arrested, drug charges, heinous stuff on twitter, past life failures and all of that is going to come into account. Like, this is real stuff here.

NBA teams are going to be paying people to represent them. Hotheads, controller throwers, cuss-fest youtubers aren't going to get the shot in the end. They are going to want real professionals to represent their brand.

And teams aren't going to be looking for 8 people who want to be superstars. They are going to be looking for team oriented role players that can help the stars.

Plus...there are NO top 2k Youtubers that consistently play Pro AM, all Park and MyTeam.

Professional eSport leagues also have drug policies that cover caffeine pills and adderall. Most also consider Marijunana a PED in eSports as well.

Not many sports gamers know the legitimacy of REAL eSport leagues...way more official and REAL than you probability believe. Like right now, there are Counterstrike players getting payed 5 figures, fully housed, and funded to legit play CS:GO all day.

# 76 Dyslexicphish @ 02/11/17 04:08 PM

I seriously wonder how much they plan on paying people considering how little D-League players are payed.

I'm pretty interested on how this goes tbh. Overall I think this is fantastic for the series. Considering the current state of the game, however, I'm tempering my expectations for the time being. I think ssimpsons3 has been hitting it on the head with where the game needs to go to be considered a legit eSport.

# 77 ssimpsons3 @ 02/11/17 10:52 PM

Lowest tier of D-League pay is about $13,000, so I don't think they will be getting paid more than that...not this first year anyways.

All depends on money though. If the streams of the 2k eLeague crush like League Of Legends or Overwatch does on their Youtube streams, and the money starts rolling in...much like the real NBA...the contracts will only get larger over the years. The games I mentioned above have full on real coverage. Live commentators, replays, strategy, analysis.

I mean I see YT streams of people playing park that get 2k views.

....this is a replay of an Overwatch Winter Tournament. Posted yesterday, already has 10k+ views. This is a sample of what the liver commentary is like on their eSports competitions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gVdSRSzZJU

# 78 dnyce87 @ 02/11/17 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssimpsons3


	Real eSport games that have professional leagues is 100% a full-time job. League Of Legends, DOTA, CS:GO, Rainbow 6, and Overwatch all have professional leagues where they PAY the players. People don't know the legitimicy of eSports in 2017...and its huge. Beyond huge. Niche market, but they are rockstars and make BANK in their profession. And since this is fueled by the actual NBA...you're looking at 5 figure contracts...at least. This has potential to be waaaay more popular than any league listed above, because of the ties with the NBA. But...this priority from 2k needs 3 things...that every other pro game has... 1.) The end of yearly releases. They need to constantly be updating and balancing the game engine being used. They can't switch up things every year and expect pros to adapt. All pro games are NOT yearly releases. 2.) No leveling up, all class based. There can be NO VC in this. None, except for all cosmetic stuff. Real pro games use class system, not the guy who leveld up has the advantage. Everyone is equal and true skill and focus win the day. Current system in PvP like MMOs. Will not work for a pro league. 3.) TRANSPARENCY. Massive patch notes with % of boost/nerf. WE NEED NUMBERS AND CONSISTENCY TO GO HAND IN HAND. There needs to be exact percentages for different shots, moves, badges...everything. HAS TO BE. No more RNG to determine outcomes, has to be consistant to reward skill and not 2k luck. Everyone who has ever played 2k knows exactly what I mean.

BRAVO! Great articulate post man. As long as VC is involved, it will always be about who has the money to pay their way to the top to have that early advantage.

# 79 BCSunstoppable @ 02/12/17 11:23 AM

Another interesting thought is, I know they mentioned age doesn't matter in this league but if they don't want bad publicity, I think it should. I don't think it's good publicity to have highschooler's in the league as this is to be considered a full time job and they should have a requirement of having finished school.

Also in the NBA, they promote going to college, this is something they might also need to promote within this league to avoid that bad publicity that kids are foregoing college to play a video game.

# 80 ssimpsons3 @ 02/12/17 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCSunstoppable


	Another interesting thought is, I know they mentioned age doesn't matter in this league but if they don't want bad publicity, I think it should. I don't think it's good publicity to have highschooler's in the league as this is to be considered a full time job and they should have a requirement of having finished school. Also in the NBA, they promote going to college, this is something they might also need to promote within this league to avoid that bad publicity that kids are foregoing college to play a video game.

Agreed.

I think they are going to select their players with a lot of variety. Men, women, all races, and ages I think will be represented. In the article on NBA.com Silver says that is one of the best things about the 2k eLeague, that you can be any size, shape, gender. Nothing, in that regard, will hold you back in the eLeague.

I also think that teams are going to be specifically looking for older players to act as like a veteran role on the team. As much as this is a video game on the screen, still real people with real lives and feelings holding the controllers. Going to need someone to reel in emotions and egos to make it work.

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