NBA 2K eLeague: Full details, draft, launch date, NBA 2K17 teaser, Adam Silver statement

NBA and Take-Two Interactive Software, developers of the NBA 2K video game series, are joining hands to form a unique eSports league titled "NBA 2K eLeague" that will utilise features from NBA 2K17 and NBA 2K18, per fresh reports. On Wednesday, officials from the two companies announced the partnership while revealing that the eLeague will be centred around the NBA 2K series.

According to ESPN's Zach Lowe, the NBA 2K eLeague will feature 30 teams, each owned by real-life NBA franchises. Each team, comprising of five human players, will participate in a five-month season that mirrors the real NBA regular season. "It (the NBA 2K eLeague) will proceed through a regular season of head-to-head games and then to playoffs and a championship matchup," added Lowe.

There are still no details available on the branding of the 30 teams. However, there's a possibility that the Philadelphia 76ers will be represented by the Team Dignitas, an eSports giant that the NBA franchise purchased last year. Houston Rockets, another interested franchise, hired an eSports director to explore opportunities across the blossoming eSports industry. Similarly, the owners of the Milwaukee Bucks, Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors have made sizeable investments in eSports.

NBA 2K eLeague draft will pick five players for each team

Lowe's report added that the NBA will hold a draft and introduce a set of rules. "The NBA will hold an initial draft of eSports players, and each NBA franchise will pick five to play as its eLeague team. They will draw salaries, train and essentially treat the NBA 2K eLeague as full-time jobs during the season."

The report explained that while "real NBA players will not be represented as avatarsm," the league will "stage events, sell tickets for fans, create merchandise, sign sponsors and negotiate licensing rights so that fans can watch games remotely."

Adam Silver, commissioner of the NBA, announced the partnership via a statement. “The popularity of NBA 2K with the young and growing eSports community provides a unique opportunity to develop something truly special for our fans and the gaming community. We look forward to combining our best-in-class NBA team operators with Take-Two’s competitive gaming expertise to create a brand-new league experience.”

NBA 2K17, having sold over 7 million units worldwide, is widely acknowledged as the greatest basketball video game in history. NBA 2K18 is scheduled for release in the fall of 2017. Stay tuned for the latest on the NBA 2K eLeague. Expected release date: fall of 2018.