Zenni Adds NBA 2K League’s Nets Gaming Crew to Growing Esports Portfolio

NetsGC Designates Zenni as Official Team Eyewear, Will Feature Brand on Physical and Digital Jerseys

 

NOVATO, Calif. (May 28, 2020) – Zenni, the online eyewear industry leader, is expanding its growing esports portfolio through an exclusive partnership with Nets Gaming Crew of the NBA 2K League. This partnership with Brooklyn Nets affiliate NetsGC marks the brand’s first venture into the NBA 2K League as it continues to invest in and across the esports ecosystem.

 

Zenni will become the official eyewear of NetsGC and provide athletes with its Blokz technology, which reduces eye strain by blocking blue light emitted by digital screens. When NetsGC tip off their season on Friday, May 29 at 7 p.m. ET against Mavs Gaming on ESPN2, they will debut jerseys featuring the Zenni logo that will also appear on the uniforms worn by each of NetsGC’s in-game avatars. Zenni branding will additionally be featured within the game throughout the remainder of the season both on NetsGC’s home court and through visual courtside signage.

 

“We’re looking forward to adding another member of our Zenni Gaming family and doing that with the NBA 2K League and NetsGC,” said Sean Pate, Zenni’s Brand Communications Officer. “We’re excited to connect with another new audience and creating engaging content for NetsGC and NBA 2K League fans alike. As with all our esports partnerships, we’ll focus on introducing our Blokz blue light blocking lens technology to emphasize the importance of eye health for gamers of all skill levels.”

 

NetsGC general manager and coach Ivan Curtiss, also known among the NBA 2K Pro Am Community as “OG KING CURT,” will be working with Zenni on “The #OG2CENTS Podcast,” of which he is the host. Curtiss, who is also the creator of The MyPlayer Basketball Association, will wear Zenni frames during podcast streams and integrate Zenni promotions into each podcast episode.

 

Additional content coming from Zenni and NetsGC includes a Film Room Content Series that will break down previous NetsGC matchups and assist the team in preparing for upcoming opponents, as well as a NetsGC x Blokz social promotion featuring highlights of the best in-game blocks over the course of the season. Zenni will also serve as the presenting sponsor of NetsGC Game Day social posts.

 

“NetsGC is proud to be the first NBA 2K League team to partner with Zenni,” said Josh Pruss, Head of NetsGC Business Operations and Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships, BSE Global. “In competitive gaming, players are always looking for a competitive edge, and reducing eye strain is an important aspect in improving overall gaming performance. We’re excited to have Zenni as NetsGC’s Official Eyewear Partner and work alongside them to elevate the importance of eye protection and eye health within the gaming community. I’d also like to thank Pat Anhut and Jeff Fischer from BSE Global who led the way in negotiating and securing this key partnership on behalf of NetsGC.”

 

Having previously established itself as a key player in the traditional sports space as the Official Eyewear Partner of the Chicago Bulls and San Francisco 49ers, Zenni’s latest partnership with NetsGC is another example of the brand’s progression within key franchises in the digital sports world. Zenni made its initial esports venture in 2019 with the Golden Guardians before expanding the breadth of its reach in April through partnerships with the Houston Outlaws, Pittsburgh Knights and Lux Gaming. Zenni has also created @Zenni_Gaming social media channels on Twitter and Instagram to showcase key events, giveaways, limited-edition product collaborations, gameday looks and major match moments from its teams across 14 titles.

 

Visit zenni.com/gaming for more information about Blokz by Zenni.

 

About Zenni

Zenni Optical pioneered the online eyewear industry in 2003 with a mission to make prescription eyewear affordable and accessible to everyone. Based in Marin County, California, Zenni offers men, women, and children the freedom to express their personal style and individuality through high-quality prescription and protective eyewear curated with a sense for fashion and incredible selection. With over 30 million frames sold worldwide, a pair of Zennis is owned in every country across the globe. Zenni is proud to be the Official Eyewear Partner of the Chicago Bulls and San Francisco 49ers. For more information, visit www.zenni.com or connect on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest.

 

About NetsGC

Nets Gaming Crew (NetsGC) is the NBA 2K League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets. The team was formed in 2019, joining the NBA 2K League for its second season. The NBA 2K League, a professional esports league co-founded by the NBA and Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., launched in 2018 and features the best NBA 2K players in the world.  Each of the league’s 23 teams features six players who compete as unique characters in 5-on-5 play against the other teams in a mix of regular-season games, tournaments and playoffs.

 

About the NBA 2K League
The NBA 2K League, a professional esports league co-founded by the NBA and Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO), launched in 2018 and features the best NBA 2K players in the world.  Each of the league’s 23 teams features six players who compete as unique characters in 5-on-5 play against the other teams in a mix of regular-season games, tournaments and playoffs.  NBA 2K League partners include Anheuser-Busch, AT&T, Champion Athleticwear, ESPN, Facebook, GameStop, HyperX, Jostens, Panera Bread, Raynor Gaming, SAP, SCUF Gaming, Snickers, Sportsnet, Stance, Twitch and YouTube.  For more information about the NBA 2K League, visit NBA2KLeague.com.