Pseudo Trading Card Game brings NFT's to life!
I've been an NBA Fan since I was a teen. Living in the US at the time it was easy as a transplanted Canuck to jump ship from my first loved pro league the NHL. Credit would have to go to my Uncle, who was a college hoops nut as well as an avid Celtics Fan, just prior to Michael Jordan's reign of terror. Basketball was a good time in that era, with teams like the Celtics, Lakers, Pistons, and inevitably the Bulls, all vying for top spot yearly. Superstars like MJ, Magic, The Mailman and Bird each taking turns at being mvp! Years later, the stories of respect and intense rivalry are legend due to the competitiveness of these stars all believing themselves as the best.
Then a good thing happened! Canada was awarded two franchises! Ya two? You've likely heard of the Toronto Raptors being they are only two seasons removed from being the champs! Thanks Kyle and Kwahi! Also, Vancouver started the Grizzly franchise out west that currently plays in Memphis. Unlike Toronto the Grizz were a hot mess and suffered from terrible drafting. In a new market, in a new country patience was not a virtue and like a bad Canadian Grizzly that wont stay out of the town garbage, off they went to a new zoo!!
I will admit basketball will never be my first love in sport but it is a close second with MLB and a good relief from my ice hockey, programmed mind! That said, let's talk about how this all pertains to the new phenomena of pro sports entering into the world of NFT's and Crypto. I stumbled upon the Football (soccer) Nft platform Sorare from looking around Dapps on Metamask. It's simple and brilliant! If i mentioned the NBA as not my first sport well I'd have Soccer far down the list. No offense, just not my thing. Oh wait, as soon as i saw this platform as a sports fan I was immediately intrigued and my interest in football followed. The sport itself has seen huge growth in North America over the last two decades from grass roots to established pro league play. As I mentioned the game is very simple, collect trading card Nft's of varying rarities and values to sell hold or compliment with buys. Then the better part is that a player enters the week with a chosen squad that competes in live league play to receive rewards (cards) based on the pro's performance. Upon sign up one receives free trading cards to get started and of course there is the option of purchasing better grade cards! I saw upper echelon cards at auction being bid on for over 50,000 Euros. The base cards can be purchased for a euro or two so there are plenty of options for all despite how much one wants to invest. Give it a look!
The look at Sorare had me thinking...what about hockey? No luck there, but clearly the NFL with Upland and the NBA have taken large steps to be involved in the new market. A quick search brings up NBA Top Shot! The thing is though... Top Shot does it a little differently from a conventional trading card. Instead, a user receives what are called "moments". The big difference being you own a specific play in the form of a video. On a quick glance, I saw V.C's 2000 slam dunk contest winning dunk selling for 10,000 US. Not just once but had changed hands over 300 times among Top Shots over 1.1 million users. Given it was a definative "moment" its a great price, one can only imagine what a buzzer beating, playoff ending shot from a superstar would be valued at? Not even now, but potentially later as millions of more people become aware and join as fans!
The platform does require a purchase to start with min of $9.00 US needed for a starter pack. The packs highest percentages are for Common moments but there are chances to get rare and legendary cards too. Moments can be defined as playoff highlights, vintage plays, slams and slashes. Bringing unique character to the individual Nft and creating perceived value. Obviously, many things can go into what a user believes to be a classic moment. From age, to demographics, to favorite teams and players, what I find appealing may not be another's cup of tea. The possibilities of the platform in regards to bringing in new users and fans is very compelling. The NBA is an international league in more ways than one. From the Olympics to games played overseas, to the large number of great international players currently, or previously in the league...the game is fairly global.
With Top Shot being relatively new the potential for making money is obvious. Take a look and view one of your own vintage moments! Recent developments like Staples Center being renamed Crypto.com arena and the number of players asking to be paid their contracts in crypto bode well. The NFL has partnered with Upland, the Monopoly like NFT trading game and MLS with Sorare. Other leagues and sports will follow. Now is the best time left to shell out 9 bucks! Check out Top Shot and beat the buzzer like Kwahi from the corner while Embiid watches in horror!
