Companies must however be aware of NBA2king the dangers when entering into a completely new industry such as Esports. The idea was first referred to by Andre Iguodala, a former Golden State Warrior who is now a prominent tech entrepreneurs and former Golden State Warrior.
It was worth the risk for the NBA. “It’s built into the NBA’s branding as well as 2K’s brand to be innovative” Donohue explains, adding that the NBA owners “realise the future and this will grow. So I believe there was more risk in not taking it in the first place, than taking the initiative.”
Fears that esports may have become a fringe notion, that would attract hardcore gamers, but not having the commercial potential that, have proven not to be true. Forbes reported last year, that esports revenues worldwide were expected to be in excess of $1.1bn by 2019.
“Even in the last three years, three seasons, my conversations are different from how they were before the league was established because it’s becoming more of the norm, and it’s not something that’s atypical;” Donohue emphasizes. As Warriors Assistant Director of Management Kirk Lacob recently told me Esports is “absolutely becoming more mature”.
Donohue talks about the advantages of having a league that operates out of the NBA office for bringing partners in. “The benefit of being the NBA 2K brand is that we have fantastic connections with many of these partners, this allows us to help hold their hand and guide them through eSports and help them understand how to Buy 2K MT PS4 leverage eSports as a way for them to grow their brand.”
