SALT LAKE CITY — The NBA 2K League is in position to get a big boost of exposure.
In the league’s first two seasons, games could be seen on online-only platforms such as Twitch and YouTube Gaming, but in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, it is now getting picked up by ESPN as the network searches for live programming.
When the league’s season began earlier this month, ESPN announced that games would air on ESPN2 each Tuesday evening through May 19 in addition to Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings on the ESPN app and ESPN.com throughout the season.
That initial May 19 date is being extended, and Jazz Gaming, the team owned and operated by the Utah Jazz (the league is owned and operated by the NBA), is about to get its TV exposure.
Jazz Gaming is one of four teams in the 23-team league yet to play even as some other squads have played as many as five times. But after the season opener Thursday night against Magic Gaming on Twitch and YouTube Gaming, it will face Heat Check Gaming on Friday, and the contest is scheduled to air on ESPN2 in addition to the other two channels.
Thursday’s game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. MT and Friday’s game will tip off at 5 p.m. MT.
“I think it’s great for the league that we’re able to broadcast games on ESPN in a time where the world needs sports,” Jazz Gaming head coach Jelani “Comp” Mitchell said during a Zoom meeting earlier this week. “We need sports, whether it’s esports, actual sports. It’s just great to turn on the TV and actually get to watch basketball, a form of basketball, with live commentary and things of that nature.”
Although Jazz Gaming’s ESPN debut is still pending, Mitchell said he’s heard from others around the league that it’s been good so far.
“The players are super excited to be on ESPN2,” he said. “Some of them can’t wait to go out there and tell their families that they’re on ESPN or to be in front of the camera whenever they get the chance to.”
While the league is in position to benefit by being on ESPN, like with just about everything over the past few months, the organization and its players have been affected by the pandemic. Jazz Gaming’s players arrived in Salt Lake City in March to prepare the start of the season later that month, which would see them travel to various events, most often in New York City.
In addition to the start of the season being delayed more than a month, the first six weeks of play are all taking place remotely, with Jazz Gaming playing at their lounge inside Vivint Arena (the six-man squad and Mitchell live together just a few minutes away from the arena).
“Us being together has really made this experience a lot easier than it would normally be,” Mitchell said.
It helps that he said they all enjoy living here.
“The guys, they pretty much have fallen in love with Salt Lake City, whether it’s the mountains, whether it’s going outside,” he said. “It’s a pretty easy city to fall in love with.”