Brendan Donahue steps down as NBA 2K League president

Brendan Donohue will step down as NBA2K League president, the NBA announced today.

Donohue, who has overseen the NBA 2KLeague since its inception, will stay on to assist with thetransition to new NBA 2K League leadership until Oct. 31.

A sports business veteran with morethan two decades of experience in team and league operations,Donohue was named NBA 2K League president in 2017 and has led thesubstantial growth of the esports league over its first sixseasons.

The league – which was co-founded bythe NBA and Take-Two Interactive and is the first official esportsleague operated by a U.S. professional sports league – has expandedfrom 17 teams in its inaugural season to 25 teams, including 22NBA-affiliated teams and international franchises in Australia,China and Mexico. This past season, the NBA 2K League deliveredsignificant fan engagement growth across YouTube and Twitch,including a more than 50% increase in average minutes watched onthe platforms compared to the prior year.

“We thank Brendan for all of hisefforts in overseeing the launch and expansion of an entirely newleague,” said Salvatore LaRocca, the NBA's president of globalpartnerships. “Under his leadership, the NBA 2K League has built astrong global following and presence in the esports community, andwe see more opportunities for growth in the coming years given theenormous popularity and interest in the NBA 2K franchise.”

“It has been an incredible privilegeto lead the NBA 2K League and witness its evolution over these pastsix years,” said Donohue. “Working and engaging with talentedcolleagues, the very best NBA 2K players in the world and a growingcommunity of passionate fans has been such a rewardingexperience. I am proud of what we accomplished together andlook forward to taking on my next challenge in the sportsindustry.”

Prior to being named NBA 2K Leaguepresident, Donohue served as senior vice president of the NBA’steam marketing and business operations (TMBO) department, where heled the strategic planning and management for all teams across theNBA, WNBA and NBA G League, helping them innovate in sales,marketing, digital and analytical areas of their business. Hejoined the NBA league office in 2009 and previously held salesleadership positions with the Atlanta Hawks, the then-New OrleansHornets, Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons.