Bundesliga International is taking an innovative approach to marketing the Bundesliga and 2nd Bundesliga: The subsidiary of DFL Deutsche Fussball Liga has agreed a "Non-Fungible Tokens" (NFTs) cooperation with the successful digital company Sorare.
The popular fantasy football platform is the official partner of the Bundesliga and 2nd Bundesliga with immediate effect and initially up to and including the 2022/23 season. Founded in Paris in 2018, Sorare has since become the market leader in fantasy football game NFTs.
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are digital objects that are unique by being individually encrypted using blockchain technology. In the case of Sorare, for example, limited-edition NFTs of professional football players can be purchased to place on virtual teams.
Digital player images to collect and trade
At the centre of each official partnership are NFTs in the form of digital player images that can be used in the integrated fantasy football game and additionally collected, exchanged and traded. In addition, Sorare will release NFT-based videos from the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga in the coming year, so-called "Moments", which can also be used and collected in the game.
"We are very excited to partner with such a dynamic and highly exciting company. NFTs are a digital future technology that should not be underestimated - also and especially in the field of sports. I am therefore convinced that numerous impulses will emanate from this cooperation. At the same time, Sorare will benefit from the charisma of one of the most popular sports brands." - Robert Klein, CEO of DFL subsidiary Bundesliga International
Sorare already has 600,000 registered users from over 170 countries, 40,000 of whom are from Germany. The number of monthly active users increased 34-fold between the second quarter of 2020 and the second quarter of 2021. In total, more than 200 clubs are available.
Great potential of NFTs
One of the main differences between fungible cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens is that each NFT is complete and non-divisible. The specific NFT is not replaceable, but can be transferred directly through a transaction. The holder is entitled to the deposited asset, identity, right, and/or associated benefit. Non-fungible tokens can thus be used for myriad purposes.
The unique token can be used as a login, voucher or ticket. But it also enables living artwork, digital provenance, and, if desired, a perpetual connection between the artist and the owner of the art. As the example of Sorare shows, a significant use case for the technology can also be found in the video game industry in particular. For the first time, users can transparently collect, exchange and trade their items.
