Sorare has added another major sports tournament to its expanding partner portfolio, signing an agreement with the NBA, as well as with the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).
The multi-year deal names Sorare as the NBA’s Official NFT Fantasy Partner, with the firm developing a free-to-play (FTP) digital collective-based fantasy basketball game in this capacity.
Planned for launch this winter in time for the 2022/23 NBA season, the game allows players to create a ‘lineup’ of NFT-based digital collectibles featuring NBA teams and athletes, earning points based on real-life performance.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said: “Our partnership with Sorare will give NBA fans an entirely new way to engage with our teams and players. With Sorare’s emerging NFT fantasy platform, we see significant opportunities to broaden our community of fans and grow NBA basketball around the world.”
For development of the product, Sorare has secured the rights to official NBA league and team logos under the terms of the partnership.
Meanwhile, for the NBA, the agreement serves for the league to further bolster its fan engagement capabilities, by providing its followers with a ‘new opportunity to interact with’ the tournament.
Tamika Tremaglio, Executive Director of the NBPA, added: “Sorare has built an innovative gaming experience that creates a whole new way for fans from all over the world to interact with and learn more about our players.
“We are very excited about this partnership and the effect Sorare will have on the growth of our game and players globally.”
One of several NFT-based fantasy sports and fan engagement platforms to have gained increased prominence over the past year as public interest in blockchain and crypto technology rises, Sorare has signed a wide range of major sports organisations as partners.
The NBA is the first organisation to sign a deal with the firm since July, when the platform partnered with Italy’s top-flight Serie A – a development discussed by the league’s Commercial and Marketing Director, Michele Ciccarese, in a Q&A with IS.
“Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world and we are excited to bring fans even closer to their favourite teams and players through Sorare: NBA,” remarked Nicolas Julia, Sorare CEO and Co-Founder.
“The NBA and the players have been at the forefront of digital experiences and collectibles and our game gives basketball fans the ultimate sports entertainment experience where they can play like a general manager, own their own game, and foster real-world connections.”
To read our Q&A with Dan Sormaz, Sorare’s Head of Sales, about the development of the firm’s product, its growth ambitions and plans and the development of digital fan engagement, click HERE.
