NBA looking to extend global reach through eSports

NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum during a roundtable discussion with selected members of the Philippine media last Monday.

The first Filipino to get drafted in the NBA could be someone who passionately plays the game behind a computer.

Last year, the NBA ventured into eSports, a video game competition featuring professional gamers, with the announcement of the NBA 2K League where it teamed up with Take-Two Interactive, creators of “NBA 2K.”

The inaugural season tips off on May 12 with 17 out of 30 participating NBA teams joining while 102 players were selected during the draft which was even broadcasted on NBA TV and had no less than commissioner Adam Silver announcing the first pick in a recreation of sorts of how an actual NBA Draft is held.

NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum is expecting the 2K League to reach new heights by each season with the possibility of countries outside of the US forming their respective teams and joining the competition as well.

“Seventeen NBA teams signed up right away. The other 13 have all said they want to do it the timing wasn’t right but I have no doubt within the next two years all NBA teams will have their own 2K League team as well,” Tatum told select Filipino media during a roundtable discussion recently at NBA Philippines headquarters in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

“Then, I think eventually, we’ll look to have teams outside of the US participating in this NBA 2K League. This to me could be a league that would truly be global in nature and maybe you have a Philippines division or China division and you could have a team from Manila playing against a team in LA,” Tatum said.

Ohio native Artreyo Boyd, more popularly known as “Dimez,” was the top overall pick by Mavs Gaming. Players from Canada, UK and Germany were also drafted.

“That’s the beauty of this technology and I think we’re creating these new superstar athletes, guys like Dimez the No. 1 draft pick, who’s already being called the LeBron James of eSports,” said Tatum.

A preseason tournament was held and won by 76ers GC, which bagged $35,000 or approximately P1.8 million, while runner-up Blazers5 Gaming took home $25,000 (P1.3 million).

Tatum said the fans and players played a major niche in the creation of the 2K League.

“Our mindset, a lot of it has to do with the fans and we listen to the fans and we listen to our players and we really do try to go out and seek out input and feedback on how we can continue to improve and deliver new products and new ways to our fans,” he said.

“And the 2K League was one of those examples where our players who are big fans of the 2K League product, our fans love the game, it is one of the best-selling sports games in the world.”