Silver Promotes NBA 2K League, Wants To Create "New Set" Of Athletes

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver promoted the league's upcoming esports venture with 2K on "SportsCenter" Friday morning, noting the NBA has "millions of fans who engage directly with our game through video games." He said the 2K league allows fans the "opportunity to become those characters" that they see on the basketball court. Silver: "Avatars are incredibly lifelike, and it allows fans -- especially young fans -- to simulate what it's like to be those players. ... What this new e-gaming league will allow us to do is to create a whole new set of, in essence, professional athletes."

Silver added, "This e-gaming league is an entirely new pool of skilled athletes. It just may be the skill is a little different. It may be thumb speed as opposed to the ability to jump incredibly high. But also think about the universe now, the pool of potential professionals who can participate in this league" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 5/19).