NBA becomes first sports league to create a gaming league

The NBA is creating a brand new esports league called NBA 2K eLeague in partnership with Take-Two, the developers of the NBA 2K video games. The professional, competitive gaming league will debut in 2018 and marks the first time a traditional sports league will operate an esports league.

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NBA 2K eLeague which will mirror a typical NBA schedule with a regular season, bracketed playoffs and a championship. On ESPN's Sports Center, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said that the teams-of-five in the NBA 2K eLeague will be run by existing NBA teams and eventually every team will be represented.

"Instead of the Mavericks, we'll have the eMavericks," he said. "Instead of the Bucks, we'll have the eBucks."

He also mentioned that the league will be a global competition and players will be picked up from a draft, although teams have the option to sign players who don't participate in the draft.

"With this new venture, Take-Two and the NBA aim to fuel the accelerating growth of esports and take the thrill of competition to exciting new heights," said Strauss Zelnick, chairman and CEO of Take-Two, in an email statement.

Although this is the NBA's first official foray into esports, professional basketball teams, players and executives are no strangers to the scene. Since 2015, dozens of former and current people involved with the NBA have invested in esports teams, acquired esports teams and even created esports teams.

NBA legends Shaquille O'Neal and Magic Johnson have invested in esports teams, current NBA player Jonas Jerebko acquired the esports franchise Renegades and the Philadelphia 76ers acquired Team Dignitas. Team owners from sports franchises including the Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Bucks have created, acquired and invested in esports teams over the past few months, as well.