76ers Gaming Club
| File:NBA 2K League logo.svg Official logo since December 11, 2017 | |
| Company type | Joint venture |
|---|---|
| Industry | Esports |
| Founded | 2017 |
| Founder | National Basketball Association, Take-Two Interactive |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Andrew Perlmutter (CEO) |
| Products | NBA 2K League esports competition |
| Parent | NBA T2 Media |
| Website | 2kleague |
The NBA 2K League (commonly known as NBA 2KL or simply the 2K League) represents a collaborative esports venture between the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Take-Two Interactive, managed by NBA T2 Media. Established in 2017, the league commenced its first competitive season in 2018. It comprises 22 teams affiliated with NBA franchises, alongside several independent entrants. The reigning champions include Warriors Gaming Squad (5v5, linked to the Golden State Warriors) and Lakers Gaming (3v3, associated with the Los Angeles Lakers).
History
The league’s debut season in 2018 spanned 17 weeks, initiating with a tip-off tournament held from May 1 to May 5, followed by weekly matches from May 11 to May 12. Prior to the playoffs starting on August 17, two additional tournaments took place, culminating in the NBA 2K League Finals on August 25. All contests were broadcast live on Twitch and made accessible for replay.
Competition utilized Pro-Am mode featuring five-on-five gameplay with predefined archetypes to maintain player rating equilibrium. A customized version of the latest NBA 2K title was employed, with hardware provided by Alienware and Intel. Audio equipment came from HyperX, while controllers were supplied by Scuf Gaming. Sponsor branding appeared on players’ virtual uniforms during matches. The entire season’s games were hosted at the NBA 2K League Studio based in New York.
September 2020 saw the introduction of a revamped draft mechanism for the upcoming 2021 season.
In-person events resumed in August 2021 during playoffs held from August 26 through August 28, followed by the league’s inaugural all-star game on September 25.
The 2022 season incorporated a dedicated three-on-three format alternating alongside traditional five-on-five competition. Instead of standard regular seasons, tournaments and seeding weeks determined playoff qualifications. Matches were conducted live in Indianapolis, where teams competed locally before traveling for postseason play. Amateur squads participated within the 3v3 division alongside league teams vying for playoff positions. Pistons GT captured the first-ever 3v3 Finals title, while Bucks Gaming earned their maiden championship in the 5v5 format.
For the 2023 campaign, the league distinguished between its 3v3 and 5v5 formats, extended group-stage tournament play, and relocated central market games to District E. The three-on-three segment adopted a double-elimination bracket; DUX Infinitos secured their inaugural championship after a bracket reset victory over Pistons GT. The five-on-five format retained single-elimination play; Warriors Gaming Squad triumphed over NBL Oz Gaming to claim the title.
Following the conclusion of the 2023 season, Brendan Donohue stepped down as league president, with Andrew Perlmutter appointed as CEO. On July 2, 2024, shortly after that season ended, Perlmutter announced extensive layoffs via video conference and declared an eighteen-month hiatus aimed at a comprehensive restructuring of the league amid ongoing challenges within the esports sector. The redesigned league will prioritize social engagement elements including influencers and celebrities—a strategic pivot that has drawn criticism from fans.
Broadcast partners
All matches are streamed live through the official NBA 2K League channels on Twitch and YouTube.
On April 18, 2018, a multiyear streaming partnership was announced between the NBA 2K League and Twitch to broadcast every game live. The first season ran from May 1 through August 25, with Knicks Gaming (affiliated with the New York Knicks) capturing the championship title. During season two, streaming rights were shared between YouTube and Twitch platforms.
For its third season, ESPN collaborated with NBA 2K to air select games on ESPN2 as well as via the ESPN App. Originally scheduled to begin March 31, 2020, this season was postponed until May 5 due to COVID-19 disruptions and was conducted entirely online. Additionally in 2020, the league formed a partnership with Loco, an Indian streaming service; this agreement was renewed in 2022.
In that same year, Stadium and NBA TV joined forces with the league to broadcast select playoff and championship matches.
Format
The NBA 2K League operates using a specialized adaptation of the NBA 2K video game. Competitors engage as distinct custom avatars in skill-driven 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 matches, without any AI-controlled players.
Currently, the season is divided into two segments: first a 3v3 split, followed by a 5v5 split. Each segment consists of two tournaments—Slam and Switch for 3v3; Tipoff and Turn for 5v5—where teams accumulate prize money and points that contribute to playoff qualification. The leading 10 teams in 3v3, irrespective of conference affiliation, along with the top five teams in each conference for 5v5, secure automatic playoff berths. Teams that do not qualify directly have the opportunity to compete in last-chance tournaments—Steal for 3v3 and Ticket for 5v5—to claim remaining playoff spots and additional rewards.
The 5v5 postseason is structured as a single-elimination event featuring best-of-three series within each conference, culminating in a best-of-five championship series. Conversely, the 3v3 playoffs include 14 teams—12 league franchises plus two amateur qualifiers—in a double-elimination format with best-of-five rounds leading up to a best-of-seven final.
Since 2020, the league has adopted a hybrid model blending remote and live play. From its inception in 2018 through 2019, matches were hosted in Long Island City; in 2020, all games transitioned to remote play due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The remote format persisted through most of 2021 until playoffs were held at Dallas' Mavs Gaming facility. In-person events then relocated to Indianapolis' Pan-Am Pavilion in 2022, followed by District E in Washington D.C. for both the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
Player selection, eligibility, and benefits
Participants join the league either by being drafted onto an NBA 2K League roster or through the add/waive process managed by teams. Eligibility criteria mandate that players must be at least 18 years old and have completed high school or belong to a graduating class that has finished. The draft pool is formed through qualification tournaments organized by league teams or competitions within the current year's NBA 2K. Additionally, players may attend the NBA 2K League combine prior to the draft, which occurs before the season begins.
Contracts span six months and include provisions for relocation assistance, housing, healthcare coverage, and retirement plans funded by both the league and individual teams. Expenses such as meals, transportation, and accommodations during away games are also covered.
Salaries start at $35,000 for first-round draftees, while those selected in subsequent rounds receive $33,000. Returning players earn $38,000 annually. Beyond base pay, players can increase their earnings through a $2.5 million prize pool allocated across tournaments and playoffs, seasonal awards, and endorsement opportunities.
Teams
The official logo for the NBA 2K League was unveiled on December 11, 2017, followed shortly by logos representing the initial group of 17 teams. Expansion efforts led to an increase to 21 teams by 2019 with new franchises from Atlanta, Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and Minnesota joining. In 2020, two additional teams—the Charlotte Hornets Venom GT and Gen.G Tigers (marking the league's first team outside North America)—were introduced, bringing the total to 23 squads. Growth continued with Mexico's Dux Gaming entering as the 24th team in 2022 and Australia's NBL Oz Gaming joining as the league's 25th franchise in 2023.
| Team | NBA affiliate | Inaugural season | 3V3 Championships | 5V5 Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76ers GC | Philadelphia 76ers | 2018 | - | |
| Blazer5 Gaming | Portland Trail Blazers | 2018 | - | |
| Bucks Gaming | Milwaukee Bucks | 2018 | - | 1 (2022) |
| Cavs Legion GC | Cleveland Cavaliers | 2018 | - | |
| Celtics Crossover Gaming | Boston Celtics | 2018 | - | |
| DUX Infinitos | None | 2022 | 1 (2023) | - |
| Gen.G Tigers | None | 2020 | - | |
| Grizz Gaming | Memphis Grizzlies | 2018 | - | |
| Hawks Talon GC | Atlanta Hawks | 2019 | - | |
| Hornets Venom GT | Charlotte Hornets | 2020 | - | |
| Heat Check Gaming | Miami Heat | 2018 | - | |
| Jazz Gaming | Utah Jazz | 2018 | - | |
| Kings Guard Gaming | Sacramento Kings | 2018 | - | |
| Knicks Gaming | New York Knicks | 2018 | - | 1 (2018) |
| Lakers Gaming | Los Angeles Lakers | 2019 | 1 (2024) | - |
| Magic Gaming | Orlando Magic | 2018 | - | |
| Mavs Gaming | Dallas Mavericks | 2018 | - | |
| NBL Oz Gaming | None | 2023 | - | |
| Nets GC | Brooklyn Nets | 2019 | - | |
| Pacers Gaming | Indiana Pacers | 2018 | - | |
| Pistons GT | Detroit Pistons | 2018 | 1 (2022) | - |
| Raptors Uprising GC | Toronto Raptors | 2018 | - | |
| T-Wolves Gaming | Minnesota Timberwolves | 2019 | - | 1 (2019) |
| Warriors Gaming Squad | Golden State Warriors | 2018 | - | 2 (2023, 2024) |
| Wizards District Gaming | Washington Wizards | 2018 | - | 2 (2020, 2021) |