Welcome to The Hype Report where we break down the latest news, stories & insights at the intersection of sports, artificial intelligence & web3.

Here's What You Need To Know This Week 📝

• Adidas Drops Sneaker Collab With NFT Artist Fewocious 👟

• Puma Launches Its 3D Metaverse Experience Black Station 2 🐆

• Wilt Chamberlain’s Voice Recreated Using Artificial Intelligence 🏀

• Quick Hype 🎯

Let's Dive Into It 🤿

Adidas Drops Sneaker Collab With NFT Artist Fewocious 👟

Adidas hasn’t taken its foot off the Web3 pedal not once.

Between their virtual gear collection and Into the Metaverse NFT drops, they’ve shown a ton of conviction in the future of the space.

Most recently, they’ve teamed up with prominent digital artist Fewocious on a physical sneaker collaboration.

The kicks are to be sold via an NFT redemption pass.

The collaboration will span 4,500 editions of an NFT mint pass called “Trefoil Flower,” and will be available for purchase exclusively on the OpenSea marketplace on June 22nd.

The NFT will serve as a direct redemption ticket for a pair of custom-designed physical sneakers called Adidas Originals Campus 00s.

Each pair of physical sneakers will be embedded with an NFC tag which is a device implanted in items such as phones, credit cards, and passports that can be scanned for verification and linked to a companion NFT.

The Trefoil Flower NFT will be deployed in a three-tier pre-sale followed by a public mint.

Holders of Adidas’ existing Alts Decos (Art) and Soles NFTs (Sneakers and Skate), as well as Fewocious Paint Drops, will be granted early access to minting at a discounted price of 0.2 ETH.

Holders of all other Adidas Alts, Fewocious NFTs, and others from a list that includes Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs, Doodles NFTs, and Rug Radio NFTs, will be able to mint at 0.25 ETH.

The public sale will begin shortly after at the same price.

Fewocious, whose real name is Victor Langlois, is a 20-year-old artist whose work illustrates vibrant paint colors in a thematic style that represents his childhood memories.

He entered into the NFT space 3 years ago, and has become one of Web3’s most notable creators, earning over $50 million worth of lifetime sales.

Not to mention, he’s also collaborated with the likes of Nike-owned RTFKT, auction houses Christie’s and Sotheby’s, and the David Bowie estate.

Adidas’ “Into the Metaverse” collection has facilitated over $150 million worth of NFT trading volume to date, and with collaborations such as this one - it looks as if NFTs will become a huge piece of their revenue and overall brand awareness.

Why This Matters

Limited edition releases already offer a compelling value proposition because of their scarcity.

With phygital releases such as this you can easily the gap between physical and digital worlds adding an additional layer of ownership.

Now with the integration of digital ownership, verification, gamified engagement, accessible secondary markets, and innovative retail experiences, these releases have the potential to captivate mainstream audiences and pave the way for wider adoption of digital assets and immersive retail practices.

Not to mention unique collaborations with notable creators and artists like Fewocious can help brands obtain new audiences and consumers.

Puma Launches Their 3D Metaverse Experience Black Station 🐆

PUMA is another mega sports brand that’s betting big on web3.

This week they unveiled Black Station 2 which is their metaverse platform that “bridges the digital and physical worlds, allowing users to purchase phygital footwear.”

Building upon the success of its initial launch during New York Fashion Week, Black Station 2 offers two distinct and captivating virtual worlds bringing footwear designs to life.

The first world, Unkai, is inspired by the streets of Shibuya in Japan.

It infuses its dynamic colors and energetic elements into the footwear.

The second world, Unter, is inspired by the essence of Berlin's underground club culture.

It incorporates elements of the city's electric and pulsating club scene.

In these immersive worlds, the PUMA community not only has the opportunity to explore & discover new realms but also gains access to never-before-seen phygital footwear.

At the forefront of this launch is the highly anticipated Fast-RB sneaker.

Notable features of the Fast-RB include:

• NITRO, an innovative nitrogen-infused foam technology that offers unparalleled responsiveness in an incredibly lightweight package

• PWRPLATE which is designed to stabilize NITRO midsoles while maximizing energy transfer for powerful propulsion

PUMA Pass NFT holders, formerly known as the Nitro Collection, will have the exclusive opportunity to purchase Materializer NFTs, which represent physical products that are yet to be produced.

Black Station 2 serves as an always-on retail experience that seamlessly compliments PUMA's existing e-commerce and brick-and-mortar business.

In an effort to onboard more sneaker enthusiasts to the Web3 world, PUMA has expanded purchase options within Black Station 2 to include credit card payments along with cryptocurrency payment capabilities.

PUMA has also partnered with MoonPay, a company that provides payment solutions for cryptocurrency.

They’re looking to leverage MoonPays’s Web3 infrastructure and a suite of products such as HyperMint for NFT smart contract management and minting.

Since the launch of Black Station in 2022, PUMA has continued to expand its NFT offerings and portfolio, with notable releases such as the Super PUMA PFP NFT earlier this year.

With the transition from Nitro Collection to PUMA Pass, NFT holders gain exclusive access to new high-end PUMA products in an effort to further enhance the ownership experience.

Whether you're a sneaker aficionado, a tech enthusiast, or simply someone who loves unique shopping experiences, Black Station 2 seamlessly integrates all of the above.

Limited-edition PUMA Pass NFTs are available at blackstation.PUMA.com.

Wilt Chamberlain’s Voice Recreated Using Artificial Intelligence 🏀

Wilt Chamberlain is making a comeback…through artificial intelligence.

An upcoming three-part documentary about his life will use AI to recreate the basketball legend’s voice as part of the narration.

The first part of the documentary which is called Goliath will be shown on July 16th on Showtime.

It will cover Chamberlain’s life from his time at Overbrook High in Philadelphia to his death in 1999.

The documentary, which was produced in part by Basketball Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett, “provides an intimate look into the life of a true legend, showcasing his unparalleled athleticism, mesmerizing performances, and pioneering achievements that have solidified his place in sports history,” according to Showtime Sports.

Garnett had this to say:

”It was an honor and privilege for my team and me to share Wilt’s incredible legacy with the world. Wilt’s cultural impact as a prominent, outspoken African American athlete was revolutionary, especially during a time when social strength was not popular.

The documentary includes interviews with other legends including Pat Riley, Rick Barry, Bill Walton, Lisa Leslie, Oscar Robertson, Jemele Hill, Jerry West, and the late Jim Brown.

Showtime Sports president Stephen Espinoza said:

“Everybody knows Wilt for his legendary accomplishments on the basketball court — scoring 100 points in a game, averaging 50 points and 25 rebounds in a season — but there’s so much more to him than his stats. He was far ahead of his time in so many ways that will last infinitely longer than the numbers on a scoreboard.”

Why This Matters

I think this is interesting for a few reasons…

AI-generated celebrity voices in documentaries present both benefits and potential dangers.

While they can help with historical accuracy, provide continuity, and offer educational value, it is important for filmmakers to navigate this technology responsibly.

Benefits:

1. Historical Accuracy: AI can help accurately depict historical figures by mimicking their voices, ensuring that their narratives are maintained and portrayed as authentically as possible.

2. Continuity: When a documentary features a deceased celebrity or someone whose voice has changed over time, AI-generated voices can provide consistency and coherence, elevating the viewer's experience.

3. Educational Value: By using AI to recreate a celebrity's voice, documentaries can provide educational content, offering insights and perspectives that would otherwise be lost.

Precautions:

1. Consent: Obtaining consent from the celebrity or their estate to use their voice is crucial. It raises ethical concerns when AI-generated voices are employed without proper authorization or if the recreated voice is used in a manner that the person may not have agreed to during their lifetime.

2. Misrepresentation: It’s critical for filmmakers to disclose the use of AI-generated voices to the audience, ensuring that viewers understand the distinction between the real voice and the synthesized one.

3. Ethical Responsibility: Filmmakers have an ethical responsibility to use AI-generated voices responsibly and in a manner that respects the reputation, and legacy of the celebrities involved. They should consider the potential impact on public perception and ensure that the recreation of voices aligns with the intended message of the documentary.

What are your thoughts on this?

Quick Hype 🎯

Millions.co Taps ChatGPT To Automate Athlete Marketing Campaigns.

Why Apple Vision Pro Is The Catalyst VR Sports Broadcasting Needs.

Web3 Short Video App Chingari Forays Into Sports Business.

GameOn Closes $1.7 Million Round Led By Lightning Capital & Flow.

Crypto.com Suspends US Exchange But Sports Sponsorship Deals Unaffected.

Yahoo Recruits ESPN Veteran Ryan Spoon as President of Yahoo Sports.

Hang, ‘Twitch For Athletes’ Raises Roughly $5 Million.

St.Louis Blues Sign Multi-Year Deal With Web3 Platform Credenza.

Thanks for checking in with me this week!

Malcolm

This newsletter is for informational purposes only and is not financial or business advice in any capacity. The information shared is my thoughts & opinions and does not represent the opinions of any other person, business, entity, or sponsor.

The contents of this newsletter also should not be used in any public or private domain without the author's express permission. The contents of this newsletter should not be used for any commercial activity, for example, research report, consultancy activity, or paywalled article, without the author's express permission.