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League/Tournament Brands:
- The NBA 2K League has signed its first restaurant sponsor in Panera Bread.
- Panera Bread will get naming rights for the upcoming NBA 2K League draft and will deliver product during live streams.
- This is the first entry into the franchised esports league space for the bakery-cafe company.
The NBA 2K League has announced that it has partnered with Panera Bread as the league’s first restaurant sponsor. The deal will see named segments and product deliveries during live streams on both Twitch and YouTube. This is the first foray into a franchised esports league for the St. Louis-based company.
“As we approach our third season and the NBA 2K League continues to grow, we are excited to partner with a world-class brand like Panera Bread,” said NBA 2K League Managing Director Brendan Donohue. “We are going to have an incredibly talented rookie class and look forward to working with Panera to share their amazing stories as they make their mark on the league, beginning on draft day 2020.”
Panera Bread will deliver food to NBA 2K League hosts, broadcasters, and players during live broadcasts. Also, each week of the season on the league’s livestream and social media channels, the NBA 2K League will present “Rookies Who Deliver Presented by Panera Bread.” This weekly series will tell the stories of the 2020 NBA 2K League rookie class on and off the virtual court while highlighting standout rookie performances throughout the season.
Panera Bread will be the title sponsor of the 2020 NBA 2K League Draft delivered by Panera Bread, which will be held Saturday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. ET at Terminal 5 in New York City. All teams, including expansion teams Hornets Venom GT and the Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai, will complete their six-person roster at the four-round draft.
Wizards District Gaming will have the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA 2K League Draft as determined by the NBA 2K League Draft Lottery that took place in October.