Bucks Gaming: Inaugural team takes shape after NBA 2K League draft
By Adam McGee
What it means to the Bucks
As the name would suggest, Bucks Gaming is a team owned by the Milwaukee Bucks and a part of the franchise’s ever-expanding family of teams.
With the continued growth of eSports, the NBA 2K League is seen as a major opportunity for the NBA in terms of growing awareness of the league and its brands, and further expanding its reach to younger audiences.
With that in mind, Bucks Gaming could become of significant value to the Bucks both financially and in terms of brand-building, if the league proves to be as successful as many anticipate.
According to a report from James B. Nelson of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Bucks have already invested $250,000 in Bucks Gaming, including $100,000 spent on setting up a state of the art training facility for the team’s players. That same report also suggest the team has already picked up a variety of sponsors.
Rich Kirchen of the Milwaukee Business Journal has also reported that Bucks Gaming’s players will be visible presences around the Bucks community, potentially starting with Monday’s game against the Orlando Magic at the Bradley Center.
"“The Bucks front office plans to engage the NBA 2K players in the community as the organization seeks a stronger connection with young fans, Drabinsky and Hayes said.”"
The Bucks’ level of commitment to their new team shouldn’t come as a surprise, as co-owner Wes Edens has been an active supporter and investor in eSports already.
Outside of Bucks Gaming, Edens also owns League of Legends’ franchise FlyQuest, and he has been frequently acknowledged by Adam Silver as one of the more influential voices in the push for the NBA to set up its own eSports entity.
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With Bucks Gaming merchandise now even available on the team store’s website, much like the Wisconsin Herd over the past season, you can expect to hear and see a lot more about the Bucks’ newest team in the coming weeks and months.