Production at MSG's Hulu Theater had the look and feel of many former NBA DraftsNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
The "spectacle" that was the NBA 2K League draft "demonstrated the venture’s importance to its parent league," according to Tim Bontemps of the WASHINGTON POST. In many ways the production at the Hulu Theater at MSG "had the look and feel" of many former NBA Drafts. The NBA "views this as an expansion league." And, as with any expansion league, "details are still coming together." Even at this stage -- with the league set to launch next month -- basic details about the league’s setup "were not defined" yesterday. There will be a 12-week regular season -- but no one could "confirm exactly how many regular season games were going to be played." The structure of three in-season tournaments was "similarly vague." NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said, "Things aren't going to be perfect in the beginning, but we've just got to get out there. We've got to begin operating, and we'll learn as we'll go." While only 17 of the NBA’s 30 teams are currently slated to be part of the inaugural season, Silver said the NBA "projects to have all 30 teams participating by the 2K League’s third season." He also said that expanding beyond those 30 teams and moving into international markets are "viable long-term options" (WASHINGTON POST, 4/5). ESPN.com's Darren Rovell wrote seeing the NBA "get into the sector in a big way and watching the players get drafted and going up on stage just like the real players whom they control virtually had an effect on many doubters, as evidenced by comments on social media." With yesterday's draft, the NBA "showed the world why gaming and esports is big business" (ESPN.com, 4/4).
GETTING PLUGGED IN: In Milwaukee, James Nelson notes the Bucks have "invested about $250,000 in the creation of their team and have sold a variety of sponsorships to companies supplying equipment like specialized gaming chairs." The Bucks "spent about $100,000 to renovate part of a warehouse near Schlitz Park into a training facility for the NBA 2K team." That includes a "gaming area, a lounge and a kitchen." The players "will be housed at The Moderne high-rise and expected to report to the training facility a few minutes away every day." The players "will be equipped with state-of-the-art gaming consoles, headsets and chairs." The players "won't be using the names or likenesses of actual Bucks players" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 4/5).
TREND SETTER: In Sacramento, Ailene Voisin notes Kings co-Owners Mark Mastrov and Andy Miller "were among the pioneers of similar endeavors." Three years ago, the two "co-founded" esports franchise NRG Esports which competes in a "variety of games played around the world." Though Kings Owner & Chair Vivek Ranadive was "somewhat skeptical initially," he "joined the cause, and in some respects, is leading the charge." Golden 1 Center, which is "already an icon among arenas for its technological and environmental innovation, is adding a full-stack esports facility for it’s 2K league squad, complete with training area, content studio and lounge" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 4/5).
TWITTER REAX: Sportsnet's Faizal Khamisa: "Adam Silver took something he didn't know, learned about it, and started a professional league around it. ... Silver comes off as very smart, intuitive and progressive in this press conference." The Post Game's Jeff Eisenband: "What impressed me most about today’s @NBA2KLeague Draft? The stories. I met factory workers, custodians, security guards, TSA agents, technicians, cashiers, waiters, truck drivers, etc. who went into work this month & told their bosses they’re quitting to play @NBA2K for a living." Esports pro Chel$ea: "NBA 2k draft is so sick. This is what all sports games invested in esports should be. @NFL where you at tho?" NBA podcaster Darnell Jones: "I may be alone but this NBA 2K E-Sports Draft is just flat out weird."
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