An odd new development recently came to light as some major NBA figures recently made an equally major move in the field of eSports. Golden State Warriors' Peter Guber, along with a group of other features including none other than Magic Johnson, bought the controlling interest in Team Liquid, one of the biggest figures in eSports around.

The exact amount of the deal was unclear, but we know that the entire industry right now is worth around $493 million, no mean feat in and of itself. Plus, there are projections that suggest this entire industry could turn over $1.1 billion annually in revenue just by 2019, so those who get in now may be getting in on a potentially massive industry in the making.

Oddly, this isn't the first time the NBA has been seen getting involved in eSports; not so long ago, the Philadelphia 76ers were seen purchasing a competitive gaming team, making the Guber coterie something of a johnny-come-lately to the affair. Still, it's clearly early days, and any involvement right now will put those involved near the tip of the spear.

Team Liquid's co-CEO, Victor Goossens, commented "In a way, our involvement in leading Liquid is even more assured now than when we were sole owners. There is no place I would rather be than working to bring Liquid to greater heights together with our amazing staff and players. I’ve now put almost half of my life into Team Liquid, and I’m ready to begin a new chapter in the ongoing story of our presence in esports. Today I want to leave you with a message of reassurance that everything will be the same but better.”

It's obvious that eSports has a great potential to be a money-maker. We've already seen amazing numbers about eSports viewership, and considering the nature of Twitch channels, YouTube Let's Plays, and a host of other factors--along with the costs involved in eSports--it might ultimately supplant sports like basketball. The viewership numbers are there, the costs are shockingly low--one NBA player's pay might cover an entire team or more of eSports players, and given the ticket sales and such, the eSports prospect might make as much revenue as the NBA currently does.

This combination makes eSports investment potentially a massive payoff, and just as potentially, one very smart investment.