Fancy yourself as a basketball star? Well, what if we told you that you could earn money playing the NBA 2K video game series?
The NBA 2K series is a popular basketball simulation game that consists of eighteen main titles. The 2K20 title is the most recent addition which claims most of the player base, and thus where the most money is at.
With a relatively new 2K eSports League, the option to stream live as you play, and many sites offering NBA 2K betting options, there are many ways that you can make money playing this title.
Become a Streamer
Is there really any money in streaming? Do it right and yes, there is millions.
One of the top streamers playing the NBA 2K games is Cash Nasty who earns money from fan donations, paid subscriptions, and advertisements on his Twitch and YouTube channels.
He makes around $365,000 every month from steaming! That’s $4.3 million every year – no wonder he’s smiling.
If you want to make money streaming NBA 2K, you need to be a good player so your viewers can pick up techniques.
More important than ever though, to become a successful gaming streamer you’ve got to have an engaging personality. The more engaging your videos are, the bigger your audience will grow and the more money you can earn.
This takes time, so don’t quit your day job right away. But hey, even Cash Nasty worked at Walmart before becoming a top NBA 2K streamer.
Compete in eSports Events
Only recently has the NBA 2K franchise started up an eSports league.
In 2017, the National Basketball Association and gaming publishers Take-Two Interactive gave birth to the NBA 2K League (NBA2KL). The initial eSports events were in 2018, making it the first-ever eSports league to be operated by a professional sports league.
The prize pool for the NBA 2K League is $1.4 million for 2020 and likely to increase in the coming years. This means competing in tournaments is an ideal way to make money playing NBA 2K.
Not only that, but 2K League managing director, Brendan Donohue, also said that players will receive “a competitive, guaranteed salary, along with housing and benefits. In addition, players will have the opportunity to earn additional $$ during the season.”
Anyone over the age of 18 with the 2K game on PS4 or Xbox can enter the qualifying stage. Win 50 games in the Pro-Am and you could make it into the draft pool where to players chosen to compete in the League are selected.[1]
Think you have the skill to make it into the 2K League? Get practicing and maybe you’ll make it to the top!
Bet on the NBA 2K League
With an exciting and relatively new eSports league, there are also great options for betting on NBA 2K.
The similarities between the 2K League and the NBA itself makes it one of the easiest eSports to bet on, along with other sports games like FIFA 20. You can place wagers on the outcome of matches, as well as prop bets and totals.
Where can you place these bets? From basically anywhere! Nearly all online sportsbooks will offer odds on the NBA 2K League, and most have mobile apps meaning you can place wagers on the go.
With a lack of real-life sporting events going ahead in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Take-Two Interactive has also launched an NBA 2K Players Tournament. This is where real NBA players compete to become the 2K20 champion.[2]
This means for 2020 there are even more betting options than usual.
As with all betting, you need to have a good knowledge of what you are betting on before putting money down. This is true for eSports betting to – get to know the game, the teams, and types of wagers. Our eSports betting page will teach you everything you need to get started.
Coach Other Players
If you have some skill but don’t fancy the pressure of competitions, you could start coaching people to play NBA 2K20.
Coaching is best suited for players who have already established themselves in the NBA 2K community. This could be through streaming or being known for winning many competitions.
If you as less established, you can still earn a living through coaching, but your pricing will have to start low, around $10 per hour. As you gain more experience and get more qualified, you can start charging more for your lessons.
Make Investments
Aside from streaming, competing, betting, and coaching, you can also choose to invest in the NBA 2K series.
The best options for investment are buying Take-Two Interactive (TTWO) stocks. TTWO is the owner of 2K Sports, the publisher of the NBA 2K games, and one-half of the brains behind the 2K League. Online viewership for the NBA2KL hit 243 million in 2019 and that numbr is only expected to rise.
What does this mean for investments?
Well, Take-Two receives revenue from all NBA 2K sales, plus its 50% stake in the 2K League means if this success continues the stocks will skyrocket.
For help on investing in eSports, visit our page on making money from investments.
What Else?
For information on making money playing other top titles, browse our list of games. Here are some other favorite sports games you might be keen on learning more about:
It is not just playing games that you can do for a living – there are other ways you can make money from video games, such as developing games or becoming a game tester. Our home page will tell you more!
FAQs
Yes, you can get paid for playing NBA 2K. You could compete in the 2K League for a chance to win part of the prize pool, or look at becoming a streamer, investing in NBA 2K, betting on competitions, or coaching other players.
NBA 2K League players make between $33,000 and $37,000 in a season which runs for four months of the year. Any prize winnings will be in addition to this, as well as housing and other benefits.
To become an NBA 2K pro player, you need to be 18 or over and win at least 50 Pro-Am games. You can then submit an application and the best players will be chosen for the 2K League.
The best way to invest in NBA 2K is to buy Take-Two Interactive shares. This company owns 50% of the NBA 2K League and 2K sports, the publishers of the NBA 2K series.
The amount of money NBA 2K streamers makes varies depending on the size of their channel following. Typically, streamers can make $3,000 to $5,000 on average per month. Top streamer Cash Nasty makes $365,000 every month!
