As you know by now, eSports are the future.

That’s according to frequent Crossing Broad commenter and loyal reader, “ESPORTS ARE THE FUTURE.”

Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment leads the Philadelphia charge on the gaming front and they’re at it again this morning, unveiling the “76ers Gaming Club” as the name of the sister team that will compete in the NBA 2k League that begins play in 2018. The Sixers are one of 17 NBA franchises that will participate in the inaugural campaign, which is structured a lot like an actual pro basketball season.

From the press release:

The first stage of player qualifying for the NBA 2K League will take place online from Jan. 1 to Jan. 31, 2018.  Interested participants must win 50 games in NBA 2K18’s 5-on-5 Pro-Am mode on a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One.  Players who meet this requirement and have submitted an online application by Jan. 31, 2018, can be invited to the next round of tryouts in February. In the highly-anticipated NBA 2K League’s first-ever draft, teams will have the opportunity to select their own players who will live and train in-market during the season.

There you go. This is the opportunity to realize your dreams.

The branding and logo is consistent with the league design, which is red, blue, and rather straightforward. The Sixers incorporated Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell and shortened “gaming club” to “GC,” like the abbreviation attached to a soccer club.

A.C. Milan / U.C. Sampdoria / Fulham F.C.SS Lazio / CSKA Moscow / etc

Sounds very Euro, yeah?

        

More from the release:

“We are excited to unveil 76ers GC’s new brand identity as we welcome another dynamic sports property to the Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment family,” said Chris Heck, Philadelphia 76ers President of Business Operations. “Working alongside the NBA 2K League, we developed a brand identity that pays homage to the revolutionary origins of this city, speaks to the new Philadelphia fan and exemplifies the edge of the esports audience.”

If you’re keeping track, HBSE now owns an NBA 2k League team, an Overwatch team, and eSports franchise “Team Dignitas.” That’s in addition to the Sixers, Devils, Prudential Center, Crystal Palace, and two minor league teams.

As for me, I’ve never played NBA 2k, but I did enjoy a lot of success with Detlef Schrempf in NBA Jam.