Brendan Donohue will step down as NBA 2K League president, the NBA announced today.

Donohue, who has overseen the NBA 2K League since its inception, will stay on to assist with the transition to new NBA 2K League leadership until Oct. 31.

A sports business veteran with more than two decades of experience in team and league operations, Donohue was named NBA 2K League president in 2017 and has led the substantial growth of the esports league over its first six seasons.

The league – which was co-founded by the NBA and Take-Two Interactive and is the first official esports league operated by a U.S. professional sports league – has expanded from 17 teams in its inaugural season to 25 teams, including 22 NBA-affiliated teams and international franchises in Australia, China and Mexico. This past season, the NBA 2K League delivered significant fan engagement growth across YouTube and Twitch, including a more than 50% increase in average minutes watched on the platforms compared to the prior year.

“We thank Brendan for all of his efforts in overseeing the launch and expansion of an entirely new league,” said Salvatore LaRocca, the NBA's president of global partnerships. “Under his leadership, the NBA 2K League has built a strong global following and presence in the esports community, and we see more opportunities for growth in the coming years given the enormous popularity and interest in the NBA 2K franchise.”

“It has been an incredible privilege to lead the NBA 2K League and witness its evolution over these past six years,” said Donohue.  “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.”

Prior to being named NBA 2K League president, Donohue served as senior vice president of the NBA’s team marketing and business operations (TMBO) department, where he led the strategic planning and management for all teams across the NBA, WNBA and NBA G League, helping them innovate in sales, marketing, digital and analytical areas of their business. He joined the NBA league office in 2009 and previously held sales leadership positions with the Atlanta Hawks, the then-New Orleans Hornets, Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons.