Magic joining NBA’s eSports league

The Orlando Magic will be one of 17 NBA teams that will participate in the inaugural season of the NBA 2K eSports league, NBA officials said Thursday.

The league is scheduled to debut in 2018.

“We are extremely excited to take part in this new league venture and look forward to the opportunities ahead from a social engagement, branding and digital standpoint,” Magic CEo Alex Martins said in a news release. “We believe this new enterprise will help accelerate the growth of esports, grow the game of basketball, and reach a new, youthful, diverse and global audience.”

According to CNet.com, the NBA eTeams “will have five human players competing in video games stretching out over the course of an actual NBA season. There also will be playoffs and a championship round.”

The NBA is the first U.S. major pro sports league to create league.

“This is the first step in what promises to be an extraordinary league, bringing together the world’s best gamers and showcasing elite competition on an international stage,” NBA 2K eSports league managing director Brendan Donohue said in a statement.

“Our teams have expressed tremendous enthusiasm for eSports, and we are looking forward to forming something truly unique for basketball and its own eSports gaming globe.”

The other participating teams will be the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards. fans around the