In a groundbreaking move, the NFL Alumni Association is teaming up with Aventus, a Polkadot parachain operator, to unlock new revenue streams for retired NFL players. This exciting partnership aims to utilize retired players’ names, images, and likenesses to create NFT collectibles, providing fans with unique opportunities to support their football heroes.
The NFL Alumni Association, an independent nonprofit organization, comprises thousands of former players, coaches, executives, spouses, and cheerleaders. Their mission is to assist retired pro players with various benefits, including discounts on travel, healthcare, legal representation, and speaking engagements.
Brad Edwards, CEO of NFL Alumni and a former NFL safety, sees NFT collectibles as the next evolution in athletes monetizing their memorabilia and trading cards. He expressed concern over players not benefiting from the resale of their signed physical memorabilia in the secondary market. Blockchain technology, with its authentication and ownership features, promises a solution to this issue.
The NFTs will depict iconic on-field moments from retired players’ careers. For instance, an NFT of Brad Edwards might capture his memorable two-interception game during Super Bowl XXVI against the Buffalo Bills.
Collectors of these tokens can look forward to signed physical merchandise, immersive “metaverse-based” experiences, video content, and the opportunity to influence future NFT drops through voting.
Around 50 to 100 players are expected to attend an upcoming NFL Alumni event in Dallas, where the process of onboarding players for the NFL Alumni’s Aventus marketplace will begin. Edwards emphasizes that a significant portion, up to 70%, of the revenue from these deals will go directly to the players.
While the NFL already has several NFT initiatives with various partners, the increasing popularity of former players in broadcasting roles fuels the demand for their collectibles. Legends like Peyton and Eli Manning, who broadcast “Monday Night Football” games on ESPN, have even ventured into the NFT space. Tom Brady, another NFL great, has also embraced NFTs with his startup, Autograph, raising $170 million in partnership with the PGA Tour, ESPN, and DraftKings.
However, the NFL Alumni Association recognizes that not all retired players have such opportunities, and NFTs can be a lifeline for those who need it most. Brad Edwards notes that they serve a broader membership of players, including those who weren’t star athletes, ensuring that NFTs offer a way for all retired players to benefit from their legacy.
In this exciting collaboration, NFL Alumni and Aventus aim to support retired NFL players while revolutionizing the sports memorabilia market through NFTs.
Source: https://decrypt.co/200684/why-nfl-alumni-turning-nfts-support-retired-football-players
Image: https://unsplash.com/photos/KgYazRO3l8A
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