The Bucks this morning announced Bucks Gaming will be the name of its NBA 2K League team, as the NBA "begins a big publicity push to support" the new endeavor, according to a front-page piece by James Nelson of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL. The Bucks "plan to hype and celebrate this new team of gamers." Team officials "envision live audiences gathered at the new arena who will watch their team battle other teams." Bucks President Peter Feigin said that the team saw a "tremendous opportunity" when the NBA announced it would "form a league around the video game." Feigin said, "We want to be on every platform as a brand, and this is the emerging platform" (
MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 12/14). In Milwaukee, Rich Kirchen reports Bucks Gaming "revealed a team logo inspired by the Bucks' existing logo with what the Bucks call 'an edgier twist.'" Bucks Gaming is one of 17 teams in the 2K League, which launches in May. League franchises "began unveiling their names and logos this week" (
BIZJOURNALS.com, 12/14).
OTHER LOGOS REVEALED: The 76ers today revealed the logo and identity of 76ers Gaming Club. The logo reflects the number "76" fused into the shape of a bell in tribute to the city's iconic Liberty Bell and 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence (76ers GC). In Utah, Jody Genessy notes Jazz Gaming's logos were created to "pay tribute to the state of Utah" as well as the Jazz. The primary logo is a "3D shape of Utah, with a white U and gold J outlined in navy blue." The secondary logo "features the team's name and includes a pair of eighth notes in place of the A in Jazz" (DESERET NEWS, 12/14).
TRADITIONAL SPORT PARALLELS: In DC, Scott Allen notes Monumental Sports & Entertainment hired Grant Paranjape as its Dir of Esports in August to "oversee Wizards District Gaming." The 24-year-old views serious gamers such as the ones he and Monumental Sports Network VP & GM Zach Leonsis "will be responsible for drafting in March as athletes in their own right." Paranjape said, "It's as athletic as basketball or hockey, just in a different way. The physical dexterity needed and the mental fortitude needed to play League of Legends or 2K at a competitive level is the same as playing a traditional sport." Allen notes that is why future members of the Wizards District Gaming team will have "access to a sports psychologist and nutritionist, and they'll train in a state-of-the-art practice facility being refurbished near Capital One Arena" (WASHINGTON POST, 12/14).
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