*By Mike Teich* Top video game players finally have a path to becoming pro-gamers and a shot at $1 million in prizes, said Brendan Donohue, the managing director of the NBA 2K League. The league is a video game competition organized by the makers of the NBA 2K game and the National Basketball Association. As esports have risen in popularity, competitions like this one give gamers a chance to cash in on their talents. First-round picks in the inaugural draft can earn $35,000 for six months of play. The pay may not stack up against actual NBA salaries, but NBA 2K League players are excited about their earnings and the progress esports have made over the past 14 months, said Donohue. More than half of the pro hoops teams are participating in the first season of the NBA 2K League as partners. The teams built their e-rosters through a draft on April 4. A total of 72,000 video game players qualified for the league, with 102 making the final cut. For full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/inaugural-season-for-nba-2k-league).

Share:
More In Technology
Amazon Shares Jump on Solid Cloud Revenue, Profit From Rivian Stake
Amazon shares jumped north of 13 percent in after-hours trading as the E-commerce giant posted a beat on earnings in its fourth quarter. Amazon saw particular success in its cloud computing business, as well as its stake in EV startup, Rivian after its massive IPO. Deren Baker, CEO, Edge by Ascential joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss.
Google Parent Alphabet Posts Strong Q4 Results, Revenue Growth of 32%
Google parent company Alphabet reporting a beat on its Q4 earnings report, with revenue up 32%. The company's strong quarter was thanks to success in its cloud and advertising businesses, which both saw solid year-over-year growth. Angelo Zino, Senior Industry Analyst, CFRA Research joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss the tech giant's blowout results.
Load More