The NBA 2K League has expanded into Mexico through a partnership agreement with Spanish esports organisation DUX Gaming.
The agreement will see DUX Gaming launch an NBA 2K League expansion team based in Mexico, marking the first NBA 2K League team in Latin America.
Image credit: DUX Gaming / NBA 2K League
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Dux Gaming is a sports organisation with teams in a variety of video game titles and Spanish football leagues. DUX Gaming’s NBA 2K League team will join the NBA 2K League next season in the spring of 2022.
This new team expands on the League’s global footprint following the addition of the Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai in 2020. DUX Gaming’s squad will be the 24th NBA 2K League team and second expansion team from outside of the U.S. and Canada.
Rafael ‘RafaelTGR’ Tobias Garcera Rodrigo, a former NBA 2K League Draft prospect and participant in the NBA 2K League European Invitational in 2019, will serve as DUX Gaming’s general manager.
NBA 2K League President Brendan Donohue commented: “This is a historic day as we welcome another premier international organization to the NBA 2K League family.
“DUX Gaming has a demonstrated track record of growing its fan base in new and creative ways which makes it an ideal partner to help the NBA 2K League successfully expand to Latin America, where basketball and 2K are already incredibly popular. We’re thrilled that DUX Gaming will represent Mexico in the NBA 2K League for years to come.”
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The NBA 2K League and DUX Gaming aim to tap into Mexico’s gaming community, according to a release. Localized content and grassroots events will be held in partnership with DUX Gaming’s roster of talent and social media influencers, including DjMaRiiO, Kolderiu, Gravesen and Chigre.
Mario Fernandez, Chief Executive Officer at DUX Gaming, said: “As an organization established in Europe, it is a true honor to now become the first NBA 2K League team in Latin America.
“We can’t wait to work with Brendan and the entire NBA 2K League team to build our fanbase in Mexico and expand their audience to Latin America with the hope that everyone, especially Spanish speakers, will join the infinite club.”
DUX Gaming will participate in the third NBA 2K League Expansion Draft on 17th November. Additional details about DUX Gaming, including the team name, city and logo, will be announced at a later date.
Esports Insider says: Launched in 2018, the NBA 2K League is a professional esports league co-founded by the US National Basketball Association (NBA) and Take-Two Interactive. NBA 2K, and NBA generally, is best known in the U.S and Canada. As it starts expanding outside those countries, it will be interesting to see how successfully it fares in these new markets.