🔊 NFL Brings NFTs To Mobile Game

What's up, Malcolm here and welcome to The Hype Report where we break down the latest news, stories & insights around sports, artificial intelligence & web3.

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Here's What You Need To Know This Week 📝

• NFL Rivals Launches On Mobile & Moves To Polkadot

• NHL Teams Up With Roblox To Launch Metaverse Experience

• Animoca Brands Partners With UFC Champion Rose Namajunas To Launch NFTs

• Quick Hype & What To Watch

Let's Dive Into It 🤿

NFL Rivals Launches On Mobile & Moves To Polkadot 🏈

Just in time for the NFL Draft, NFL Rivals has made its way back into the headlines.

This week, Mythical Games, a next-generation game technology studio at the intersection of blockchain and games, announced the release of NFL Rivals mobile for early access in the Apple and Google app stores.

In case you didn't know, NFL Rivals is the first and only officially licensed web3 game from the NFL and NFLPA.

The launch of the mobile game, which incorporates web3 digital ownership, allows fans to own, collect, and trade digital assets all in-app.

Fans can also unlock access to special events, in-game rewards, and other unique features.

Coinciding with the 2023 NFL Draft, this early access period called “Offseason,” kicked off with themed in-game events and player packs to celebrate the Draft.

Gamers can design their own rosters and teams while building, leveling up, and improving their lineup – all in preparation for the upcoming global launch of the game and the start of the 2023 NFL season in the fall.

The game also has a campaign mode where you try to win the Super Bowl.

John Linden, CEO of Mythical Games states:

"With its 'gamers-first' focus, the Mythical Platform ensures players don’t need to dive into the intricacies of blockchain to enjoy ownership of their digital collections and have a great game experience."

Mythical is also expanding to the Polkadot blockchain which allows them to build their own chains and scale sustainably.

Linden stated the following regarding the move to Polkadot:

“We’re going to be moving to a stronger platform for governance it is stronger for security and stronger for interoperability."

The company has plans to announce several other launches over the next summer and will act on behalf of the industry to push new technologies.

NHL Teams Up With Roblox To Launch Metaverse Experience 🏒

The NHL is linking up with Roblox to tap into younger fans.

NHL Blast, a virtual experience, is now available and allows fans to participate in five-on-five hockey games and socialize with other players using digital avatars.

Eventually, the experience will offer animated recreations of moments from real NHL matches using data captured by the league’s puck and player tracking (PPT) systems.

This is envisioned by Sony Sports’ immersive content specialist Beyond Sports.

This technology was recently used during the live ‘Big City Greens’ animated simulcast of the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers last month.

Roblox is an appealing digital partner for sports rights holders because of its young audience and highly engaged user base.

FIFA, Wimbledon, and the NFL also offer interactive experiences with them as well.

Some of the features of this partnership include:

• Five-on-five hockey games in "fantastical, obstacle-filled environments," including one inspired by the NHL's street hockey initiative

• Skating and shooting mechanics that mimic the movements of actual NHL players

• Users can choose to wear any NHL jersey with their Roblox username, and custom number as well as customize their goalie mask

• At the Upper Deck Selfie Station, users can take photos of their digital avatars living out hockey poses commonly featured on NHL trading cards

While the initial focus is on younger fans, they also hope to attract other non-traditional hockey audiences that might not tune into a conventional broadcast.

The launch of NHL Blast has been intentionally timed to coincide with the NHL playoffs.

The league and its tech partners will work with teams and players throughout the off-season to identify ways Roblox can be used for activities such as jersey reveals, player announcements, and e-commerce.

Tian Pei, Head of Sports Partnerships at Roblox stated:

“The NHL has been a fantastic partner to work with. They’ve been so innovative, right off the bat, and they are already aligned with our own objectives. This is only the beginning and we’re going to continue to iterate and build a long-term strategy to reach digitally-native users.”

Roblox hopes the partnership will attract more users into its ecosystem as they continue to build out innovative virtual experiences for brands.

Animoca Brands & Lympo Partner With UFC Champion Rose Namajunas To Launch NFTs 🥊

Lympo, a leading global sports NFT ecosystem, and Animoca Brands, a company that promotes digital property rights for gaming and the metaverse, have announced a partnership with UFC fighter Rose Namajunas to offer a digital memorabilia collecting challenge titled:

“Build Your Own Fighter with Thug Rose.”

The “Build Your Own Fighter with Thug Rose” collectible NFT challenge lets sports fans collect merchandise and receive rewards from Digisport.

Fans of Rose are the intended target of this initiative, as they will be able to acquire rare digital collectibles and take part in the dawn of a new era in combat sports.

After accumulating a certain number of digital stickers, customers are eligible to redeem perks such as signed merchandise and private meet and greets with Rose.

In addition, players can design their own Rose Namajunas-themed fighter avatars.

Animoca Brands co-founder and executive chairman Yat Siu said, “The partnership with Rose Namajunas is a significant opportunity to introduce blockchain and NFTs to a global audience of sports enthusiasts.

This collaboration showcases the fan engagement of Web3 and fosters a greater understanding of these emerging technologies among fans.”

Lympo CEO and co-founder Tadas Maurukas said:

“By combining the excitement of sports with Web3 technology, the collaboration with Thug Rose will revolutionize the way we engage with sports. We’re thrilled to provide a platform that enables fans to connect with their favorite athletes in a new and exciting way while also exploring the possibilities of blockchain.”

You can learn more and join the waitlist here: https://rose.digisport.xyz.

Quick Hype 🎯

The next generation of web3 digital twin stadiums. Stadiums are no longer just a physical space for fans to gather and watch their favorite sports team play.

Development of blockchain’s potential offers "accountability, transparency, and transactions."

Sports and Web3: NFT Business Models. Curious how the blockchain will impact sports teams and their fan bases?

Generative AI: What sports teams and leagues should know. If used effectively, generative AI can fundamentally change how sports teams engage with fans.

Fanatics Bets on Its Fans to Win Sports-Gambling Race. Michael Rubin says the sports-merchandise company’s 95 million customers offer an edge over gambling competitors.

What To Watch 🎥

Are you curious how the blockchain will impact sports teams and their fan bases? Wondering what types of sports-related NFT business models are emerging?

My guy LG Doucet, founder of The First Mint, breaks it all down in this interview with Michael Stelzner on the Web3 Business Podcast.

Check out LG and what he's building with The First Mint below:

• LG Doucet on Twitter

• The First Mint Website 

• The First Mint Podcast

• The First Mint on Twitter

Thanks for checking in with me!

Talk again next 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.