The NBA 2K League esports competition is adding an Australian expansion team dubbed NBL Oz Gaming beginning the 2023 season, through an agreement with the country’s National Basketball League (NBL).
NBL Oz Gaming becomes the esports league’s third expansion team from outside of North America following the addition of China’s Gen.G Tigers in 2021 and Mexico’s DUX Infinitos in 2022.
The NBA 2K league is expanding to 25 teams for its sixth campaign next spring.
The NBL and the NBA 2K League will also work on growing the latter’s presence in Australia through joint marketing efforts, talent identification, and grassroots events.
The location of NBL Oz Gaming's base of operations in the United States for the 2023 season has not yet been revealed. YouTube and Twitch will broadcast coverage of the NBA 2K League in Australia the following season.
After the NBA 2K22 game was recognized as the third and second best-selling console game in Australia and New Zealand, respectively, in 2021, the esports partnership with the NBL is a part of the NBA's efforts to grow inside the Oceania area.
According to NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger, their hopes and expectations are that NBL Oz Gaming will introduce the NBL to a legion of new fans around the world.
