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The NBA 2K games have been a video game staple among NBA fans around the world for decades. Having released its first installment in 1999, the basketball video game franchise currently sits at 25 main installments along with a number of spin-off releases for platforms like mobile.
As the NBA 2K games continue to gain popularity throughout the years, the National Basketball Association (NBA) partnered with video game company Take-Two Interactive in 2017 to announce the official NBA 2K League — an official esports league for the virtual basketball video game. Traditionally, NBA 2K League players sign contracts to compete throughout the season. Meanwhile, the league and teams cover player relocation and housing costs.
However, a recent NBA 2K League announcement is set to drastically change the official esports league for future seasons. In a joint release, the NBA and Take-Two Interactive announced plans to “reimagine the NBA 2K League into a global digital entertainment business.” The move will combine NBA and Take-Two brand assets, blending pop culture, gaming, and basketball for NBA fans around the world. To do so, the 2K League noted that its new competitive league in 2024 will involve real-life NBA players and celebrities. Meanwhile, exact details on the new 2025 season will be shared in the coming months.
The new changes follow viewership concerns throughout the 2024 season. According to data from Esports Charts, the NBA 2K League’s 5v5 season has reached peak viewing figures of 25,950 and 20,958 for its recent main tournaments, a significantly smaller number compared to other esports leagues and events in the industry.
The real-life NBA league
Meanwhile, the NBA league remains a global and cultural phenomenon. The recent NBA finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks averaged 11.31 million viewers, as fans across the world watched the Celtics clinch their NBA-record 18th Championship.
In recent years, watching NBA games and tournaments has become more accessible than it used to be. After the release of the official NBA League Pass in 1995, the sports association has continued to make NBA games more accessible and convenient for fans and viewers. Today, the NBA League Pass can be accessed on various devices, including mobiles, tablets, computers, and TV-connected devices like Apple or Android TV.
As more people use smartphones and have continued Internet access, fans can further immerse themselves in the NBA experience. Aside from live streams and highlights from past games, fans can also easily access data overlays and insights during games, as well as keep up with 24/7/365 coverage of NBA news, analysis, and highlights.
Betting and NBA 2K esports
As the biggest basketball video game franchise, NBA 2K also has its own betting culture. Since 2K basketball games look and play similarly to real-life basketball, many NBA bettors have also come to enjoy NBA 2K betting despite its relatively younger place in the NBA. Additionally, NBA 2K League games are regularly streamed on video platforms like Twitch and YouTube, making it a more accessible entertainment than regular basketball.
However, 2K betting has its share of controversies. In 2022, the NBA 2K league indefinitely disqualified six players and a coach from the official esport league due to a betting scandal. In a statement released by the league, an internal investigation confirmed that players from the Portland Trailblazers’ esports team Blazer5 Gaming, Utah Jazz, and Dallas Mavericks violated the league’s gambling and fantasy rules. Blazer5 Gaming coach Andrew Maxie also received the same punishment for the same offence.
The investigation found that five players had bet on or tried to bet on 2K league games. At the same time, Maxie reportedly knew about the betting and “failed to report violations or cooperate fully with the investigation.” NBA 2K League President Brendan Donohue stated that, despite its thriving betting culture, the integrity of the game and the NBA 2K League remained a “top priority”.
One of the factors contributing to the rise of 2K betting is its similarities to real-life NBA betting. NBA fans and viewers of the sport can use the online betting platform Thunderpick for NBA betting lines for pre-match and live in-play betting markets across upcoming NBA events. Fans can also follow their favorite teams and players and use the built-in feature “Live Mode” to watch games and conveniently place bets on in-play events. Thunderpick also offers other non-NBA basketball betting opportunities for those passionate about international basketball events, including games from the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) league.
The official NBA League Pass streaming app we previously mentioned has also made it easier for fans to place live bets on NBA games and tournaments. The League Pass also provides in-depth analyses to help enthusiasts make more informed betting decisions. The feature was announced in partnership with Sportradar, the official NBA partner since 2016 and is the exclusive worldwide distributor of NBA data.
The future of NBA 2K games
While fans and viewers will have to wait for further details on the changes to the NBA 2K League, it’s also important to look towards the future of NBA 2K games. The latest installment, NBA 2K25, is set for release in September and will feature 9,000 new animations as well as a new dribble engine and defensive movement system. Meanwhile, our previous post highlights the growing need for college basketball video games like the 2K College Hoops series following the return of college football video games this year. While college basketball stars have occasionally made appearances in the main NBA 2K titles, the opening of a renewed college basketball video game franchise can help bring new interest to the NBA 2K esports league and viewership.
Of course, the 2K College Hoops game wasn’t the only one to highlight college basketball within the video game landscape. Back in 1995, the Sega Genesis game Coach K College Basketball became the first college basketball game from EA Sports, a spin-off from their NBA Live engine. The game was also the only EA college basketball game to be made for the Genesis.
At the same time, another crucial element of the NBA and its video game franchise is the inclusion or spin-off potential for the women’s league. In NBA 2K24 last year, players were introduced to “The W”, a game mode where you could simulate a career as a rising star in the WNBA. This feature included street basketball game modes for friendly online competition on 3v3 courts to earn in-game rewards. While an exclusive WNBA 2K title may be a little far in the future, the latest 2K installment features WNBA athlete A’ja Wilson on the game’s All-Star edition cover — a first for the WNBA. Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum joins Wilson on the All-Star cover, while Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee Vince Carter graces the Hall of Fame Edition’s cover.
