Premier League giants Manchester United have launched an official non-fungible token (NFT) based fantasy soccer game.
Manchester United are reluctant to be first movers when it comes to digital innovation. Instead, they prefer for others to establish best practices for them to follow, allowing the club to achieve the best possible outcomes.
While NFTs remain a controversial topic, this strategy has allowed United to avoid getting caught up in the lawless peak of the market. It has secured a lucrative sponsorship agreement with Tezos, which is a more reliable partner than many other Web 3.0 ventures, and the club’s initial forays into the digital collectible space have been well-received by fans, with free tokens given away to supporters.
This latest move into Web 3.0 with a fantasy game sees United enter into territory occupied by the likes of Sorare, with the club hoping its passionate fanbase will buy into the concept. However, it remains to be seen whether the “deeper connection” promised is worth the investment required to assemble a competitive virtual squad, and whether the cards themselves will be viewed as a tool for speculation.
Ronan Joyce, director of digital innovation at Manchester United, said: “Player Trading Cards allows United fans to collect the whole men’s first team squad, to see those collectibles evolve throughout the season as games are played and goals are scored, and have the ability to play those cards in a exciting fantasy football game.
“It’s a club-first, it means you can compete against your mates all year long, and it adds even more drama and excitement to watching the Reds at Old Trafford and on the road this season.”
Sunil Singhvi, head of culture at Trilitech, Tezos R&D Hub, added: “Player Trading Cards and Fantasy United is an innovative use of blockchain technology to enable United fans to have a deeper connection with their favourite club. Through dynamically updating collectibles, supporters will be able to cheer on their heroes and watch how the season develops.
“Meanwhile, they will be able to showcase their managerial prowess by selecting their squad in Fantasy United. Developed by our in-house team, it’s a fun and interactive way for fans to get closer to the game and the players of Manchester United.”
By SportsProMedia
