Brendan Donohue is stepping down from his role as the President of the NBA 2K League. The announcement was made by Salvatore LaRocca, the NBA President for Global Partnerships. Donohue, who has been at the helm of the NBA 2K League since its inception, will remain to assist with the transition to new leadership until October 31.
Brendan Donohue, a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in team and league operations in the sports business, took on the role of NBA 2K League President in 2017. Under his leadership, the esports league has witnessed significant growth during its first six seasons.
This league, which is a joint venture between the NBA and Take-Two Interactive, marks the first official esports league operated by a U.S. professional sports league. It has expanded from 17 teams in its inaugural season to 25 teams, including 22 NBA-affiliated teams and international franchises in Australia, China, and Mexico.
In the past season, the NBA 2K League experienced substantial growth in fan engagement on YouTube and Twitch, including a more than 50% increase in average minutes watched compared to the previous year.
Salvatore LaRocca expressed gratitude for Brendan’s efforts in overseeing the launch and expansion of this new league, recognizing its strong global following and esports community presence. He anticipates more growth opportunities in the future given the immense popularity of the NBA 2K franchise.
Brendan Donohue, reflecting on his time as NBA 2K League President, called it an incredible privilege to witness the league’s evolution over the past six years. He expressed pride in their achievements and looks forward to his next challenge in the sports industry.
Before assuming the role of NBA 2K League President, Donohue served as the Senior Vice President of the NBA’s Team Marketing & Business Operations (TMBO) department, where he played a key role in strategic planning and management for all teams across the NBA, WNBA, and NBA G League. His tenure with the NBA league office began in 2009, and he held sales leadership positions with several NBA teams before that.
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