NBA 2K Esports League Announces 17 NBA Teams to Participate in Inaugural Season

NEW YORK, May 4, 2017 – The NBA 2K esports league announced today that 17 National Basketball Association (NBA) teams will participate in its inaugural season, set to debut in 2018. Participating organizations include:

  • Boston Celtics
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • New York Knicks
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

"This is the first step in what promises to be an extraordinary league, bringing together the world's best gamers and showcasing elite competition on an international stage," said NBA 2K esports league Managing Director Brendan Donohue. "Our teams have expressed tremendous enthusiasm for esports, and we are looking forward to forming something truly unique for basketball and gaming fans around the globe."

"We're very proud to be one of the 17 teams to partner with our league and participate in this new, fascinating venture," said Pacers Sports & Entertainment President and Chief Operating Officer Rick Fuson. "We're excited that once again the NBA has stepped forward and taken the lead as it relates to the world of esports. We are thrilled to be part of this league that is going to take Indiana's game – one that most of us grew up with shooting hoops in the driveway, on the side of a barn or at the playgrounds - to a whole new level. We'll be able to build a new fan base that without esports, might never have become real fans of basketball."

In February 2017, the NBA and Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO) announced plans to launch a new, professional competitive gaming league that will bring together the best basketball gamers in the world. In the coming months, the league and its teams will make a variety of announcements related to participating players, team branding, league structure and business updates.