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How the NBA is Making Waves in eSports

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How the NBA is Making Waves in eSportsReading Time: 4 minutes

 

The National Basketball Association has just turned 73 years old and is one of the four major leagues for professional level sports in North America. Thanks to this age and prominence, it is often considered the world’s leading basketball league, with good reason. Whilst comprising of teams only from the United States and Canada, the NBA attracts many international players who join from every continent. In addition, the average NBA team is worth $1.9 billion, considerably more than teams in other leagues.

Expanding the Empire

The NBA is currently enacting a strategy to leverage its brand around the world, developing audiences in regions outside of the United States including the UK, Africa and China. As part of this it recently announced the launch of a NBA YouTube channel to stream games to sub-Saharan audiences.

The eSports Expansion

In 2017, the NBA and games developer Take-Two Interactive announced that 17 of the 30 NBA teams would be taking part in the inaugural NBA 2K eSports League. This list included big names like the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and the Toronto Raptors. The first of these eSports games took place in 2018, using the NBA 2K video games. Like real life games, NBA 2K eSports League games are contested between two teams of 5 players, making use of the “Pro-Am” mode found in the consumer version of NBA 2K 2018.

Just like in real life basketball, the eSports teams are generally made up of the following types of player:

  • Point guard: generally taking the on court leadership role for the team, typically having the best ball handling and passing skills to assist in creating shots
  • Shooting guard: typically the best shooter on the team, tasked with exploiting these skills, particularly when shooting from behind the three-point line
  • Small forward: often considered the most versatile position of the five, the small forward often takes on the role of the shooting guard, but is more likely to score baskets from lay-ups or slam dunks in contrast to the shooting guard’s three-point shooting abilities
  • Power forward: a versatile role, similar to the centre, which requires shooting and defence skills against all types of players
  • Centre: typically the tallest players, defending against shots and collecting rebounds.

The “eSeason”

In the real world, the NBA Championship will be decided between the Toronto Raptors and the Golden State Warriors in mid June. Currently, odds comparison site Oddschecker is ranking the Raptors as favourites to take the crown. However, the NBA 2K eSports season begins in spring and finishes in summer. This timing allows the NBA to have its brand utilised for a larger portion of the year, beyond the end of the traditional basketball season.

eSports has become a multi million dollar industry.  Photo by Anthony Brolin, License

 

First Mover Advantage

The NBA’s announcement in 2017 that it would be launching the NBA 2K eSports League meant that it was the first major sports brand in the United States to enter the world of eSports. In contrast, most other eSports leagues are organised by tech companies like Intel – or games companies like Epic Games, the company behind Fortnite. Therefore, if the NBA is successful it will have several years of development to build a loyal eSports fan base, before rivals such as the National Football League or Major League Baseball join the party.

Growing Already

After a successful first year, four additional real life NBA teams will be joining the NBA 2K eSports League lineup, bringing the total number to 21. These new teams are: the Atlanta Hawks, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Brooklyn Nets and the Minnesota Timberwolves.The growth provides mutual benefits, since the teams will bring with them their own existing supporters who are more likely to follow their team’s eSports team, than an unknown entrant. In addition, the fans of eSports are likely to also gain a stronger interest in the real life team, buying merchandise and visiting games.

Live Streaming

Just as traditional sports leagues like the NBA have sold rights to air games on TV, the NBA 2K eSports League has signed a deal to have its games streamed live over the internet. The deal with streaming platform Twitch sees all games shown live, available to its audience of 15 million daily active users. The multi year streaming deal also includes commentary and analysis, just like you would expect from traditional TV coverage of any other sport.

The NBA 2K eSports deal is not Twitch’s first with the NBA. In December 2017, the two companies signed a deal that enabled Twitch to live stream games from the NBA G League, the official minor league, with up to 6 matches each week being distributed on the platform.

Sponsorship

Just like traditional sports leagues, the NBA 2K eSports League has signed a number of major sponsorship deals with large companies. Games are played on computers provided by gaming PC brand Alienware, using powerful processing chipsets supplied by Intel. Players use HyperX sponsored headsets and Scuf Gaming branded controllers. Teams also have their own sponsors, with their logos displayed on the teams’ in-game uniforms, just like in real life.

Conclusion

The growth in eSports has been massive, with large sums of money now being invested in creating leagues with all of the hallmarks of a traditional sport. In its quest to become a global sports brand, the NBA has been able to leverage its existing assets to create a large following in eSports, almost overnight. By launching the league in 2018 with 17 existing NBA teams, the NBA 2K eSports League already had loyal fans of 17 established sports clubs who would want to support them. Thus, it has a pre-made fanbase, huge financial assets and an established brand to leverage sponsorship deals and to use in negotiations when selling streaming rights.

In addition, the NBA’s venture into eSports is a significant opportunity to expand the reach of its brand into new geographic regions, as well as to new demographics that had not previously been interested in basketball. Even if a player does not become an avid watcher of NBA games, sales of the NBA 2K video game titles are also likely to benefit from the exposure of the NBA 2K eSports League.


Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: How the NBA is Making Waves in eSports

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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Casinoble Report Reveals NZ Players Favour High-Volatility Slots and Longer Sessions in 2025

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Casinoble has released an in-depth report analyzing Top Casino Games, Session Time, and Volatility Trends in New Zealand 2025, revealing how player preferences are evolving across slots, live dealer, and table games. Based on player data, the study highlights a clear national appetite for medium-to-high volatility games, extended play sessions, and immersive experiences that balance entertainment with risk.

Slots Lead the Charge in New Zealand’s Online Market

According to the findings, slots make up approximately 75% of the country’s top 50 online casino games, far surpassing live dealer titles (20%) and traditional RNG table games (5%). This dominance reflects New Zealanders’ attraction to fast-paced, feature-rich slot titles like Book of Dead, Big Bass Splash, and Sweet Bonanza.

Live dealer games, led by Evolution’s Crazy Time and Lightning Roulette, are gaining traction among players who value realism and interaction, while RNG table games such as Blackjack MH and World Cup Roulette Platinum continue to attract strategic-minded audiences.

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The report breaks down average session times, showing that slots dominate longer play sessions, with players spending between 60–90 minutes per session. Live dealer titles average 30–45 minutes, driven by the social nature of real-time play, while RNG table games see shorter but more focused sessions of 20–35 minutes.

These figures point to a balance between immersion and efficiency: slots provide long-term excitement, live dealer games deliver quick, engaging bursts, and table games reward strategic play.

The Power of Volatility and Provider Influence

Roughly 70% of New Zealand’s top 50 games fall into the medium-to-high volatility category — signaling a market that values impactful wins over frequent small payouts. As Mike Davies from Casinoble’s Data & Research team explained: “New Zealand players demonstrate a distinctive mix of patience and thrill-seeking,” said Mike Davies, Data & Research Analyst at Casinoble. “High-volatility titles like Book of Dead and Gates of Olympus keep them engaged not through frequent wins, but through the anticipation of that one big, unforgettable moment.”

Users can can read more about how volatility shapes player behavior and session time here.

The report also highlights that Pragmatic Play, Play’n GO, Evolution, and Games Global remain the dominant software providers shaping the market. Pragmatic Play leads the way with nearly a quarter of the top-performing titles, driven by its blend of engaging design and mobile-optimized gameplay.

Key Insights

  • Slots account for three-quarters of the most popular games.
  • Medium/high volatility is the defining trend of 2025.
  • Evolution leads the live dealer category with hybrid entertainment formats.
  • Players show increasing loyalty to familiar game types with immersive themes.

For the full analysis and data breakdown behind this report, users can read the complete article on our website.

About Casinoble

Casinoble is a global iGaming affiliate company operating across more than 30 international markets, providing trusted insights, reviews, and rankings within the online casino industry.

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Inspired by the daring spirit of the modern Wild West, it blends strategy and style in a landscape where fortune favors the sharp-minded. Each spin feels like a duel at high noon. It’s quick, tense, deliberate, and unfolds within a cinematic world that rewards focus and luck. With sleek visuals, refined mechanics, and a pulse that beats to the rhythm of risk and reward, Lizaro redefines what it means to play with purpose.

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A seamless experience ensures smooth navigation and fast, intuitive design across all touchpoints. And at its core, Lizaro is powered by the UNO ecosystem — a trusted affiliate and operational network that strengthens every aspect of the brand.

“Lizaro is more than a new iGaming brand — it’s an exciting new way to play,” said Halyna at UNO Affiliates.It is for players who think fast and act with intent. The Wild West theme captures this perfectly: it’s bold, sharp, and rewards those who aim true and stay focused on their target. That’s what makes Lizaro different: it gives players not just the thrill of the game, but the satisfaction of smart play.”

With Lizaro, UNO Affiliates continues to promote the universe of bold, story-driven brands, reshaping the world of iGaming with innovation, intelligence, and unmistakable style.

Play wise. Win wilder.

Discover the new frontier at https://lizaro.com/.

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Mustangs Run Wild in Booming Games’ Latest Hit Mustang Hold and Win!

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Gallop into Big Wins with Mustang Hold and Win from Booming Games!

Step into the wild and untamed world of Mustang Hold and Win, where the free-spirited mustangs rule the reels. With a 5×3 grid and 25 paylines, this slot delivers an exhilarating experience with stunning visuals of the American wilderness. The game features Hold and Win mechanics, where landing 6 or more value symbols triggers respins that can lead to massive payouts. Collecting all 15 symbols activates the Grand Bonus, awarding an incredible 1000x your bet!

Keep an eye on the Wilds, which can stack across reels 2, 3, 4 and 5, and substitute for major and minor symbols to boost your chances of winning. Plus, triggering the Free Spins round with 3 scatters gives you 8 free spins, with the possibility of retriggers. During free spins, the Hold and Win feature can be activated, creating even more opportunities for huge rewards.

Whether you’re chasing mustangs or big wins, Mustang Hold and Win offers a thrilling ride with plenty of chances for adventure!

“With Mustang Hold and Win, our goal was to capture the spirit of freedom and excitement that defines the American frontier. The combination of Hold and Win mechanics, vibrant design and rewarding features delivers a truly exhilarating experience that players will want to return to again and again,” said Craig Asling, Director of Games at Booming Games.

The post Mustangs Run Wild in Booming Games’ Latest Hit Mustang Hold and Win! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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