NFTs in Football: The Latest Trend in Sports
The term non-fungible token, or NFT, refers to digital representations of assets in which cryptocurrency is used for purchases and sales online. In general, these tokens run on the same software as most crypto assets. In other words, it is a way to purchase unique digital items using digital currency.
Although these tokens have existed since 2014, they have only recently gained mainstream acceptance. Blockchain-based NFTs are used to register one-of-a-kind images, videos, and other digital items.
Fans all over the world have been raving about NFTs, with fan tokens and cryptocurrencies. There has been a steady progression of sports clubs and franchises joining in, including football teams. NFTs are becoming increasingly popular among football fans because they see them as a way to enjoy the exclusive perks available only to digital token holders.
Do you want to learn more about football NFTs? Listed below are some football NFTs that have been successful and are upcoming.
CryptoStrikers
It bills itself as the first sports NFT on the Ethereum blockchain, as well as Wrapped Strikers on the NFT marketplace Opensea. If you are unfamiliar with this marketplace you might want to read an opensea review to learn more. The NFTs were released as part of the run-up to the World Cup in 2018, and users could purchase digital packs of football trading cards.
NFTs of Mo Salah, Messi, and Cristiano have also changed hands at significant prices, with a Messi card selling for USD 128,512, a Salah card for USD 141,560.31, and a Cristiano card for USD 120,685.
Sorare
By combining fantasy football, trading cards, and NFTs, Sorare offers its players the ability to manage a virtual team and buy, sell, and trade players. Launched in 2019, it uses Ethereum blockchain technology.
Is this NFT offering popular among football fans? There have been quite a few exchanges of NFTs of the world's biggest football players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, and Lionel Messi.
The unique (one-of-one) Sorare card originally made waves with its USD265,275.55 sale in May 2021, before a Haaland card eclipsed it in February 2022.
Socios
“Be more than a fan” is the tagline on Socios' website. This platform, owned by Chiliz, the company behind Socios, allows football fans to purchase club tokens.
Fans who own tokens can influence cosmetic aspects of club affairs, like the number on new signings' shirts or the music played when goals are scored.
Messiverse
As one of the biggest names in world football, Messi made headlines when he announced his own collection of NFTs in collaboration with BossLogic.
According to Ethernity, "The Golden One'' was reportedly one of the unique pieces that sold for over USD1 million.
Premier League NFTs
There has been plenty of interest when the Premier League will enter the NFT world given that it is the world's most-watched sports league.
for their maiden digital offerings. It was reported that the Premier League had selected American company ConsenSys to supply NFTs. Alternatively, Canadian company Dapper Labs (known for its partnership with the NBA and UFC) has secured video NFT rights. Premier League NFTs have yet to be officially confirmed, but there will undoubtedly be much interest once they are unveiled.
Unlike other passing trends, NFTs are here to stay. Several smart and forward-thinking football teams are using them in their marketing strategy as part of a digital transformation that will engage a younger generation of fans in the digital age.