Andrew Perlmutter Named CEO Of NBA 2K League

A giant monitor shows play as Warriors Gaming Squad teammates Charles “CB13” Bostwick, center, from … [+] New York, and his teammate Alexander Reese, left, from Milwaukie, Or., react to scoring during the NBA 2k League (NBA2KL) professional esports playoffs, Wednesday, July 24, 2019, in Queens borough of New York. The teams kicked off day one of the NBA2KL playoffs with Blazers on the losing 67-45. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

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This week, the NBA 2K League announced Andrew Perlmutter as the league’s first Chief Executive Officer. Perlmutter will assume the role on Monday, October 2, overseeing the league’s business and competition operations and working to grow the popularity of the NBA 2K League.

“The NBA 2K League is a leader in the esports industry and has many new opportunities for growth given the enormous interest in the NBA 2K franchise,” Perlmutter said in a release. “I am excited to bring my experiences expanding entertainment and technology companies to this new role.”

The announcement of Perlmutter’s hiring comes on the heels of Brendan Donohue stepping down as NBA 2K League president, a role he has served since 2017. During his tenure, he oversaw the launch and expansion of the league from 17 teams to 25, including international franchises in Australia, China and Mexico.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 07: Brendan Donohue, NBA 2K League President speaks during a NBL x … [+] NBA 2K Media Opportunity at the Emporium on October 07, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images for NBL)

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“It has been an incredible privilege to lead the NBA 2K League and witness its evolution over these past six years,” Donohue said in a release. “Working and engaging with talented colleagues, the very best NBA 2K players in the world and a growing community of passionate fans has been such a rewarding experience. I am proud of what we accomplished together and look forward to taking on my next challenge in the sports industry.”

Donohue will stay on to help assist the league’s leadership transition through October 31.

Perlmutter joins the NBA 2K League from Backbeat Capital Partners, a firm he co-founded that pursued entertainment IP acquisition. Before that, he served as chief strategy officer at ITRenew Inc.; executive vice president of Boston Globe Media Partners; general manager and vice president of operations for The Daily Beast and Newsweek Company; and director of corporate strategy at the Atlantic Media Company.

“We are pleased to add an executive of Andrew’s caliber and experience as the first CEO of the NBA 2K League,” NBA President of Global Partnerships and member of the NBA 2K League Board of Directors Salvatore LaRocca said in a statement. “I look forward to working with Andrew as he leads our league into its next phase of growth.”

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/doylerader/2023/09/30/andrew-perlmutter-named-ceo-of-nba-2k-league/