The Hype Is Real

Welcome to The Hype Is Real where we break down the latest news, stories & happenings around sports & web3.

Here's What You Need To Know This Week

• Muhammed Ali Gets Approved For Web3 Trademark

• NFL Players Turn Into DeadFellaz

• Warriors Let Fans Rock Championship Rings...Virtually

• Lionsgate Partners With Tom Brady's Autograph Platform

• Candy Digital Is Back At It Again...

Let's Dive Into It...

Muhammad Ali Registered As A Trademark In Web3 Covering NFTs & Metaverse

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has successfully approved a trademark application filed to protect the name of the legendary professional American boxer and activist, the late Muhammad Ali. USPTO initially received Ali’s metaverse and NFT trademark application in late 2021.

Mike Kundoudis, an intellectual property attorney, confirmed that the name for the late Muhammad Ali is now officially a registered trademark under U.S Registration No 6881575.

According to Kondoudis, Muhammad Ali’s name is now protected within the crypto space for NFTs and other virtual goods in the metaverse. The registered trademark will cover NFT-authenticated media featuring Ali, virtual clothing, footwear, headwear, sports bags and equipment.

Muhammad Ali, also nicknamed “The Greatest,” is today regarded as one of the most significant sports figures of the 20th century.

Kondoudis said:

“This registration was examined and approved in less than a year, which is fairly quick by USPTO standards. We expect the same results for applications for other celebrity names. It also offers a blueprint for protecting celebrity names and brands as they transition into the metaverse.”

DraftKings x Deadfellaz x NFL Players Collaboration

Deadfellaz, a NFT collection and metaverse brand and DraftKings Inc. announced today a collaboration to transform 13 professional football players into limited-edition NFT player cards with Deadfellaz IP.

Slated to drop on October 25th on DraftKings Marketplace, the collectibles will be a must-have item in any NFT collection and will be playable exclusively in Reignmakers Football contests, DraftKings’ NFT-based fantasy football-style game where participants can build a collection of NFT cards with which they can draft a lineup for use in fantasy sports-style games.

Players that will be transformed into Deadfellaz include Nick Chubb, Jalen Hurts, Alvin Kamara, Kyler Murray, Deebo Samuel, and Matthew Stafford. Additional players will be announced at a later date.

The previously announced agreement between DraftKings and the NFLPA facilitated by OneTeam, the NFLPA’s licensing, video games and trading cards business, grants DraftKings licensing rights for active NFL players, including the authentic use of their name, image, and likeness.

As part of the collaboration, the collection will feature first-of-its-kind utility, including access to gated Deadfellaz-themed contests and exclusive NFT prizing. Collectors of these limited-edition player cards will also be eligible to compete for a share of the over $1,000,000 in prizes available in Reignmakers Football contests every week during the football season.

Just in time for Halloween weekend, the player cards will be eligible for lineup inclusion starting on October 30th and can be used for the rest of the season.

Augmented Reality Lets Warriors Fans Rock Championship Ring

This past Tuesday, the Warriors' Champions Ring Night included an added AR element that both in-venue fans and the team's supporters around the globe can partake in.

The Warriors, along with Chase, launched the Championship Ring Experience, an AR platform where fans could virtually wear the team's championship rings and capture photos to share on social media.

The interactive experience was available pregame at two in-person locations at Chase Center -- Thrive City, the plaza surrounding Chase Center; and inside Chase Lounge. It was also accessible through the mobile app.

In-venue, fans were able to visit the kiosk stations before the Warriors hosted the Lakers, take their picture and then put one of three virtual rings on their fingers. 

NFT Platform Autograph & Internet Game, Are Releasing A New Web3 Gaming Experience Based On The Horror Movie Saw

This week, Lionsgate announced it has expanded its partnership with Autograph, the web3 NFT brand co-founded by Tampa Bay Bucs QB Tom Brady, for a new collaboration with Internet Game to launch three Saw movie-themed immersive games based on blockchain technology and NFTs.

Since the first Saw movie release in 2003, the horror franchise has grossed more than $1 billion at the global box office. Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures will release the next Saw movie theatrically on Oct. 27, 2023.

To play, users must purchase a Saw Games Pass on any of the following three marketplaces: GameStop NFT, Magic Eden, or Internet Game. Passes can be purchased during the public sale on Oct. 24, at 12 pm ET. An early window sale began on Oct. 21, on GameStop NFT, where a limited number of passes were available for purchase.

The passes will grant users access to three Saw-themed mini-games: Acid Bath, Blood Bucket and Incinerator on the Internet Game platform. The games will take place over three separate days: Halloween (Oct. 31); Nov. 2 and Nov. 4. The metadata of the Games Passes will update for each game to reflect each player’s performance.

Players who “survive” all three games have the opportunity to win prizes, including a combination of Saw NFTs and blue chip NFTs. Prizes include an on-set tour of the next Saw film, a Mutant Ape NFT, a winner having their name appear in the next Saw film, a trip to the new Saw: The Experience in London, and a Doodles NFT, among other prizes.

Jenefer Brown, EVP and Head of Global Products and Experiences at Lionsgate said in a statement:

“In bringing Internet Game on board as a partner, we’re able to deepen engagement through gamified NFTs that allows fans to become a part of the Saw franchise in a new experience-driven way.”

Candy Digital Is Releasing Commemorative NFT Tickets For The MLB Postseason

Fans attending MLB postseason games can receive commemorative NFT tickets that will update with game photos within 24 hours of the event.

The NFTs or digital ticket stubs, produced by Candy Digital, will also feature game details such as matchups, the venue, and the starting time. 

In addition, fans who also bought MLB ICON Leadoff Series NFTs in April had the opportunity on October 21st to find eight randomly placed World Series digital tokens. Each of those World Series Token NFTs can be traded in for two tickets to this season’s actual World Series.

Candy Digital has released a number of collections including their latest college football NFT drop featuring 17 student-athletes, including Texas running back Bijan Robinson, Maryland QB Taulia Tagovailoa, and Oregon QB Bo Nix.

The company initially entered the college football NFT space in 2021 with its Candy Sweet Futures Collection and debuted a college basketball version in March of 2022, as well. College sports is a huge priority for the growth of the Candy Digital brand going forward.

What To Watch:

How Web3 Innovations Will Change the Sports Industry:

This was a panel I attended a few weeks ago which gave several examples of how web3 will integrate with sports in the future. 

Panelists included: 

• Chris Adamo: Co-founder Flamingo Capital

• Ashley Caines: Member relations lead, Tech Runs DAO

• Chris Pantoya: Chief Commercial Officer Fan Controlled Sports

• Stephanie Smellie: Web3 consultant former VP Dapper Labs

• Stephanie Sutto: Web3 community leader and NFTBA host

See the full panel conversation below:

What To Read:

That's all the happenings I got for you this week.

Have a great rest of the weekend and talk to you next week,

Malcolm