For the NBA it was a risk that was worth taking from Bestmengqin's blog

But for businesses, there's the risk of NBA2king jumping into an emerging field like esports and esports-related activities. Former Golden State Warrior and noted tech entrepreneur Andre Iguodala once called "the Wild Wild West". For the NBA it was a risk that was worth taking. Donohue declares, "It's in 2K's DNA to be innovating." He also explains that NBA owners "realize that the future is bright and is going to continue to grow." So , I believe there was more risk in not doing it than actually doing it.

Some fear that esports could become a fringe notion, engaging avid gamers, but without commercial appeal beyond that, have been proven false. Forbes stated last year that the esports industry worldwide was projected to exceed $1.1bn by 2019.

"Even in the past three years, three seasons, my conversations are quite different from the way they were prior to when the league began because it's an increase in regular, and it's not really a new thing;" Donohue emphasizes. Kirk Lacob, Warriors Assistant GM, recently said to me that esports were "absolutely beginning to mature".

Donohue highlights the advantage of having a league operated by the NBA office when it comes to bringing partners into. "The benefit of being the NBA 2K brand is that we have amazing relationships with lots of these partners, therefore we are able to offer assistance to them and help them help them navigate eSports and help them understand how to tap into eSports as a great way to increase the visibility of their brands."

The NBA 2K League offers companies another advantage: the sport is simple to comprehend. Donohue emphasizes that esports could sometimes be difficult for consumers. "You do not have to play in Buy 2K MT PS4 order to enjoy our games. If you know basketball you'll understand it."