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.

NBA 2K17 screenshot gallery - Click to view

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Member Comments

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

Taken from Variety.com article...

'The 76ers, Bucks, Grizzlies, Heat, Warriors and Wizards are among the NBA teams that have made recent investments in eSports teams, as noted by Sports Business Journal.'

# 82 ssimpsons3 @ 02/12/17 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BegBy


	I couldn't be less interested, but I will admit it's pretty cool. However, doesn't this mean they'll have to make the game a lot more like basketball now? For likeness purposes, obviously. I can't see the state of game as is being an intriguing/compelling iteration of esports to watch because the game itself is quite bad and esports enthusiasts aren't going to be an audience that will migrate. You like sports or you don't, so if you don't, you aren't going to watch guys play a video game version of it, so that means only people who really love ball will watch. In order for us guys to watch, 2K would have to make this game a lot better and absolutely fix their online issues. Just my thoughts.

I was thinking about this also, and I could see it going both ways.

Making the game way more hardcore bball would get attention, and really focus on real basketball skills to be successful. This is how I would like to see it go and what I am hoping for. But seeing some people's statement of, "Why wouldn't you just watch the real NBA," becomes even more strong if they go this route. If they make the game to need real life NBA strategy along with dead-on real shooting %s and game play...what would separate the two?

The other route, is what I think they are, and have, been going for. A hybrid of real/arcade bball, where you can see those amazing moments people tune in for on a regular basis. The triple doubles, the dunks, raining 3s...all that is more possible in the game. Less fouls for a better pace, smooth flowing action-packed gameplay.

Like I said, could go either way. But I do think something will be done to the fundamental way the game flows and plays to accommodate a better, and more exciting, viewing experience.

# 83 bateman11 @ 02/15/17 04:09 PM

Looks like I need to create a YouTube account and get the ball rolling. I was born for this.

as primarily an offline player with simulation as priority number 1, I feel I may be at a disadvantage.

Any ideas y'all?? I will represent OS and #simnation to the best of ability.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

# 84 diehardknicksfan @ 02/15/17 04:12 PM

hope they have stable servers lol. what u gunna tell a person who bet on a game and the cavs win due to network error lol

can't tell them check your internet speed, delete reserved space, reinstall the game

# 85 E The Rhymer @ 02/15/17 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diehardknicksfan


	hope they have stable servers lol. what u gunna tell a person who bet on a game and the cavs win due to network error lol can't tell them check your internet speed, delete reserved space, reinstall the game

You explain to them how it is so clearly your fault and not 2K's...ever. Simple as that lol do u even 2K bro?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

# 86 janmagn @ 02/16/17 03:54 PM

Only thing I hope is that 2K makes more stats availble so there wouldn't be any leveling up, the ratings of the players would change for every season depending on their performances on the court

Lähetetty minun LG-H440n laitteesta Tapatalkilla

# 87 ksuttonjr76 @ 02/16/17 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatleg3


	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

I remember the tournaments going back as far as NBA 2K5. I was upset that particular year, because it was the year JO, Artest, and Jackson got suspended. As a side note, that was the year I discovered that there were some highly skilled players lurking in the shadows who don't come out unless there's money on the line.

# 88 NYCDaFuture @ 02/21/17 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksuttonjr76


	I remember the tournaments going back as far as NBA 2K5. I was upset that particular year, because it was the year JO, Artest, and Jackson got suspended. As a side note, that was the year I discovered that there were some highly skilled players lurking in the shadows who don't come out unless there's money on the line.

Yup I also was in all of those tournies and made it far in a few. Unfortunately I doubt 2k will ever do that again for head to head aka PlayNowOnline type of 1v1 games. And it's a shame to be honest..

# 89 fatleg3 @ 02/22/17 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCDaFuture


	Yup I also was in all of those tournies and made it far in a few. Unfortunately I doubt 2k will ever do that again for head to head aka PlayNowOnline type of 1v1 games. And it's a shame to be honest..

I feel you...

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

# 90 Kingofthecouch @ 03/04/17 04:10 PM

Those were the good old days. I was number one on the leaderboard for like 5 yrs straight on NBA and choops when2K had the elo ranking system. I finished top 4 in the old 10,000 Nokia tournament. 2K need to have those tournaments again but I think those days are over with pro am and esports coming.

# 91 FixEverything2k @ 03/04/17 08:16 PM

I feel like this would force more realistic gameplay from them. Idk If I was the commissioner and I teamed up for a basketball game and CPU defenders started sliding like it was actually NHL 2k I'd be concerned.

# 92 infemous @ 03/05/17 05:03 PM

I hope that this confirms that MyCareer and the e-sports aspects become separated then.

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