Grizz Gaming announces America’s Navy as presenting partner

NBA 2K is currently one of the most popular video games in the world, and Grizz Gaming, the NBA 2K League team of the Memphis Grizzlies, today announced America’s Navy as the presenting partner of its inaugural season. Through mutual priorities of competition, teamwork, and modern technology, the partnership aims to tell the story of America’s Navy to the next generation of younger, digital-savvy esports fans via nontraditional avenues.

“All of us at Grizz Gaming are thrilled to partner with America’s Navy,” said Grizz Gaming General Manager Lang Whitaker. “As the grandson of a Navy veteran, I was raised to understand the importance of teamwork, courage, honor and respect, and these are all values we want our Grizz Gaming squad to reflect.”

The partnership involves a comprehensive integration of America’s Navy within all aspects of the Grizz Gaming team identity, including digital content and featured brand placement on both the virtual jersey and team uniforms. In addition, America’s Navy will hold the naming rights to the team’s soon to be unveiled practice facility as well as presenting entitlement of the team’s website among other forms of presentation.

“I think the Navy and Grizz Gaming, along with the entire esports concept, is a great fit,” said Captain Dave Bouve, Chief Marketing Officer of America’s Navy. “One of the important things we have done is shift away from many of the traditional media channels and delve more into the digital realm, and esports is a very natural extension of that. The ability to partner with Grizz Gaming, located right here in Memphis, and be a part of a community building a new sporting event from the ground up is a very exciting opportunity.”

America’s Navy will be aligned with Grizz Gaming immediately, starting with the inaugural NBA 2K League draft this Wednesday, April 4 beginning at noon. The occasion itself will see to the establishment of the first ever Grizz Gaming Draft War Room, with Sailors on hand to call in select picks to the league, and America’s Navy will present all coverage of the Grizz Gaming draft experience.

“We are extremely pleased and excited for Grizz Gaming to tip off with a dynamic presenting partner in America’s Navy,” said Jason Wexler, President of Business Operations for the Grizz Gaming. “We look forward to helping bring awareness to the dedicated and vital work of the men and women of the Navy in building a connection with the rapidly growing esports fanbase as we launch the inaugural season of the NBA 2K League.”

ABOUT AMERICA’S NAVY

America’s Navy is the most technologically advanced, multidimensional military force in the world. With missions on every front – in the air, on land and at sea – the Navy’s wide-ranging capabilities around the globe encompass everything from combat to peacekeeping to humanitarian aid. Wherever a military presence is needed, the Navy is there. Whenever U.S. involvement is required, the Navy is often the first to deploy, the first to engage, and the first to help. Today, there are 273 ships in the Navy’s battle force. Of the Navy’s 400,000 active and reserve sailors, more than 70,000 are forward deployed to support global operations. Each year, the Navy attracts exceptional recruits who are ambitious, courageous, seekers of knowledge and adventure, and eager to make a difference.

ABOUT THE NBA 2K LEAGUE

The NBA 2K League is a professional esports league co-founded by the NBA and Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO). Launching in 2018, the league will feature the best NBA 2K players in the world. Each of the league’s 17 teams will draft players to compete as unique characters in 5-on-5 play against the other teams in a mix of regular-season games, tournaments and playoffs. The league will host tryouts in early 2018, followed by a draft in April and the season tip-off in May. For more information about the NBA 2K League, visit www.NBA2KLeague.com.