The LA Clippers need to join the NBA 2K League

The LA Clippers are one of the eight teams without representation in the NBA 2K League, but it’s time for the franchise to finally join the league.

When T-Wolves Gaming won the NBA 2K League Championship this year, many were surprised. The Minnesota Timberwolves affiliate joined the league as one of four expansion teams in the leagues second season. It’s rare that an expansion team comes in and competes, but with esports, nothing is unexpected.

With the four expansion teams that joined last season and the Charlotte Hornets announcing that they will be joining the league for season three, only eight NBA teams are still without a 2K League affiliate. Among those are the LA Clippers. It’s time for them to join.

According to the NBA 2K League site, “the global esports audience will reach 453.8 million this year and will generate revenues of $1.1 billion.” If that doesn’t seem enticing, let’s get a little more specific with a few NBA 2K stats from their site:

"NBA 2K is currently the highest-rated and best-selling sports title of the current console generation among U.S. sports leagues.NBA 2K19 has sold nearly 12 million copies worldwide and is the best-selling edition in franchise history.In 2018, NBA 2K19 was the #1 selling sports game in the U.S. and the second-best-selling sports game globally with more than 1.7 million daily active users.The NBA2K Online Franchise represent the #1 PC sports online game in China with a registered userbase that exceeds 40 million players."

So, why is it that the Clippers haven’t joined? It doesn’t make sense, does it?  With as forward thinking as this front office has been, jumping into esports seems like a no brainer. The team can make money, further their branding and stay modern.

You would also think with an owner like Steve Ballmer, who made his money in the technological field, joining a growing league centered around technology would be something of interest. He already secured Bumble as the jersey sponsor, not only partnering with a technology based company, but a forward thinking one. The 2K NBA League is looking to move in the same direction by offering a development camp for women in order to promote women in gaming. Wouldn’t it make sense then for the Clippers to join up now?

Speaking of technology, let me throw another wrinkle at you.

By getting involved with the 2K League, Ballmer could use his desire to get into the streaming business with CourtVision to get rights to the league. Currently, games are streamed on Twitch. It would take some effort to sway them away, but if it was possible, Ballmer would be the one to do it. Maybe he can’t secure rights to the whole league, but at least having the Clippers’ affiliate on the team’s own app would help with it’s growth.

2K is popular with both fans and players and the growth of this league isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. The Clippers need to take advantage of this and join this upcoming season.