• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Brendan Donohue appointed Managing Director of NBA 2K esports League

At least half of the 30-team league is expected to have their own team when the esports league launches in 2018.

Chesnot/Getty Images

With ambitions to start the recently announced NBA 2K esports league by early 2018, the NBA has placed one of their own, Brendan Donohue, as Managing Director. After originally working with the Atlanta Hawks, Donohue has been in the league office since 2009 where he had been serving as Senior VP/Team Marketing & Business Operations before shifting gears to this new role.

The aspects of his new gig have not fully been outlined, but he will reportedly shape the strategic framework of the league, run the day-to-day operations, and report to a board filled with both NBA and Take-Two Interactive executives.

“I’ve been interested in this space for quite a while,” Donohue said. “It is being able to use what I have been doing on the team side and combine it in a new, explosive space.”

https://frontofficesports.com/from-strategy-consulting-to-the-league-offices-chris-petersen-of-the-nba-ab015d891fd3

“Explosive space” is a common way to reference the tsunami wave known as esports — nobody truly knows what to do to leverage its popularity on a broader scale quite yet, but high-ranking executives with loads of cash are looking to be involved. That tends to be a sign of good things on the horizon.

At least half of the 30-team league is expected to have their own team when the esports league launches in 2018, and those teams are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, per Donohue.

For now, Donohue is working on building a staff to assist with the groundbreaking launch. The NBA is venturing into unprecedented territory for the four major sports leagues, and it will be fascinating to follow the steps they take to format a structure that is both economically lucrative and appealing to fans.


Front Office Sports is a leading multi-platform publication and industry resource that covers the intersection of business and sports.

Want to learn more, or have a story featured about you or your organization? Contact us today.

https://upscri.be/f32ae1

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

Fever and Bonner Heading for a Breakup? Here’s What We Know

The Fever are exploring options as DeWanna Bonner seeks a fresh start.

Timberwolves’ 4-Year Ownership Saga Ends As A-Rod, Lore Take Over

The unanimous approval brought a clean end to a long-disputed transaction.
Mar 11, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) reacts after a three-point basket against the Los Angeles Clippers during the fourth quarter at Smoothie King Center.

Wizards Acquire CJ McCollum to Set Up $100M in 2026 Cap Space

About $110 million will come off the Wizards’ books next year.

NBA’s French Revolution Set to Continue With 2025 Draft

Four French players are expected to be drafted Wednesday.

Featured Today

Mar 15, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) dribbles the ball upcourt against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half at Dickies Arena

NIL Is Shrinking the Pool of NBA Draft Entrants

Agents are now advising many players to stay in school.
Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter on the red carpet before the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field
June 21, 2025

‘More Is More’: The Elite Luxury Jewelers Decking Out Athletes

Meet the elite group of luxury designers crafting the biggest statement pieces.
Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.
June 15, 2025

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park
June 14, 2025

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.

Thunder Favored, but Bettors Backing Pacers Big in NBA Finals

The most bet-on exact series outcome is the Thunder winning in five.
Fanduel
March 4, 2025

FanDuel Retains Sports Betting Crown With $14B in 2024 Revenue

The FanDuel parent company posts big increases in revenue and net income.
May 8, 2025

FanDuel Misses Projections As Betting Favorites Dominate 

FanDuel is hit by customer-friendly betting outcomes during March Madness.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
February 20, 2025

Americans Bet $148 Billion on Sports in 2024, Up 23.6%

Both overall handle and revenue rose by more than 20% last year.
DraftKings app
February 14, 2025

Lawsuit Says DraftKings VIP Program ‘Preyed On’ Gambling Addicts

The company’s being sued for negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
August 20, 2024

Beloved ‘Backyard Sports’ Brand Says It Will Relaunch After Decade Hiatus

“Backyard Baseball” was a turn-of-the-century computer hit. 
DraftKings
August 2, 2024

DraftKings Announces Consumer Tax Starting Next Year

The company’s stock fell 5% Friday morning.