Sports

NBA Turns to Live Events, Star Players to Grow 2K Esports League

League plans to grow its relationship with gaming influencers
Most of the league’s 25 teams are tied to NBA franchises

Football player Micah Parsons during the NBA 2K League Indy Showdown as part of NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Feb. 16, 2024. — Football player Micah Parsons during the NBA 2K League Indy Showdown as part of NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Feb. 16, 2024.
Photographer: Jeff Dean/NBA 2K League/Getty Images

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By Randall Williams

July 2, 2024 at 5:04 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

The NBA and Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. is attempting to grow its esports league beyond gaming, launching live events and bringing more NBA players and celebrities as competitors.

The NBA was the first major US league to launch its own esports venture in 2018, in a bid to capitalize on the increasing popularity of competitive video games. It partnered with Take-Two to create a competition around its popular NBA 2K game franchise. Now there are 25 teams, with 22 affiliated with NBA clubs.