The Nation Basketball Association is a global game and NBA 2K is one of the most popular hoops games out on the market with fans and athletes engaging in its competitive discourse every day.
And now, the NBA and 2K have joined forces with ES Sports gaming to bring an NBA 2K League involving 17 of the 30 NBA teams.
The 2K League is a professional league that was co-founded by the NBA and the creators of 2K (Take-Two Interactive Software).
Dreams were turned into reality yesterday. Listen in as the first round picks hear their name called at MSG! pic.twitter.com/jBj6DFoZxN
— NBA2KLeague (@NBA2KLeague) April 5, 2018
Introducing the first 17 picks in the inaugural #NBA2KLeagueDraft! pic.twitter.com/vCoRUXIGVL
— NBA2KLeague (@NBA2KLeague) April 4, 2018
On Wednesday afternoon, 102 gamers were drafted by the 17 NBA teams to be in the league and it took place at Madison Square Garden much like the draft.
First rounders will receive a six-month salary of $35,000. Everyone else gets $32,000. This comes with housing, meals, travel and medical benefits.
The portrait! pic.twitter.com/bmtXot2h0k
— NBA2KLeague (@NBA2KLeague) April 4, 2018
Each team is comprised of six players with five starters and a sixth man. Players aren’t allowed to play as current league players or their current created players. Instead, each team will play in Pro-Am mode and they’ll select a player with a specific playing style to play with during the season.
Each team also has a general manager, team director and a front office staffer.
Former NBA superstar and current TNT Inside the NBA analyst Shaquille O’Neal was one of the first general managers to speak on his team, Kings Guard, which is affiliated with the Sacramento Kings.
Our squad is stacked and about to run this league. Let’s get it, @KingsGuardGG! ? #Shaqramento pic.twitter.com/l4baQSUPj6
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) April 5, 2018
It’s @DRAKEGRIFFlN - point guard for @BucksGG, and @MeloEast2k - small forward for @CLTXGaming - ready to hit #PAXEast tomorrow for the NBA 2K League Draft Clash! ?? @Official_PAX pic.twitter.com/jMl2IaxISM
— NBA2KLeague (@NBA2KLeague) April 5, 2018
The season will begin in May and conclude in August. There will be weekly games, but there will also be three in-season tournaments and a postseason with a $1 million prize for the events.
ICYMI: The #GameTime crew recapped the inaugural NBA 2K League Draft!
What are you most excited to see? pic.twitter.com/Qyppak8isq
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 5, 2018
All of the games will be played on PC and gamers can use an Xbox or PlayStation controller and they will be played at the 2K League Studio. There hasn’t been any information on the studio location or whether fans will be able to purchase tickets to watch in person, but it seems that possibility is coming.
“It was a magical day!” NBA 2K League Managing Director, Brendan Donohue, signs off from the #NBA2KLeagueDraft! pic.twitter.com/y7RNUOTLDJ
— NBA2KLeague (@NBA2KLeague) April 5, 2018
Commissioner Adam Silver saw the impact ES Sports has had in the past, selling out Madison Square Garden and that inspired him to jump into this venture. One can only surmise that the league will eventually tap into reaching a fan-viewing monetary resource.
The first action the gamers will see takes place this Friday in the 2K Draft Clash between 10 of the league’s top picks. The matchup will showcase the most popular 2K players in an All-Star showcase before the start of the season with a large cash prize for the winning team.
Are you excited for the first ever NBA 2K League? Comment below.
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