The NBA, NBPA and Take-Two Interactive Software, the company that owns NBA 2K, have agreed to a $1.1 billion licensing deal that’ll last the next seven years, according to Sarah E. Needleman of the Wall Street Journal.
The deal allows 2K to continue to use the NBA’s brand and its player’s likenesses on their hit game ‘NBA 2K’ and other NBA-branded games such as smartphone apps. According to Take-Two’s official statement, ‘NBA 2K’ has been the top-rated and top-selling NBA video game series for the past 17 years, selling more than 86 million games worldwide.
“The agreement expands upon the success of NBA2K, the top-rated and top-selling NBA video game simulation series for the past 17 years* that has sold-in more than 86 million units worldwide.”
Adam Silver was very ‘grateful’ for the extended partnership, saying that many NBA fans today connect with the league though ‘NBA 2K.’
“An entire generation of basketball fans engage and connect with NBA teams and players through NBA2K,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “We are grateful to extend our partnership with Take-Two and the NBPA to build on the enormous popularity of the NBA 2K franchise and the continued global growth of basketball.”
The most recent installment of the series ‘NBA 2k19’ is the 20th anniversary of the video game franchise and the Chairman and CEO of Take-Two, Strauss Zelnick, expressed the company’s excitement about their longevity with the NBA.
“We’re thrilled to be in business with Adam and the entire team at the NBA, and enter into the longest-ever partnership extension between our organizations. Together, we’re confident that we will continue to find new and innovative ways to captivate and engage basketball fans, and expand further the success of the NBA 2K brand.”
