Major League Baseball inks deal with Sorare for online NFT game

Major League Baseball has announced a strategic partnership with Sorare to launch a non-fungible token (NFT) game. The online game will target baseball fans and allow them to access NFTs that depict real-life players.

NFTs have become very popular in the sports sector. Many sports clubs and leagues have been using NFTs to build fan engagement and earn revenues.

Major League Baseball to release NFT game

Sorare, a leading NFT company backed by Softbank, issued a statement confirming the partnership with MLB. The online game will facilitate the trading of NFTs depicting baseball players in Ether (ETH). Fans can also create fantasy teams within the game and use these teams to compete and win prizes.

The MBL Commissioner, Rob Manfred, said that the partnerships created by the league for fans were crucial. The decision to partner with Sorare arised because the NFT company was best positioned to help MLB meet its need to connect better with fans.

“The company’s focus on transforming fandom through an innovative combination of sports, technology and gaming to let fans truly own a piece of the game they love is unique and goes beyond borders – allowing us to bring the love of baseball to more fans across the globe,” Manfred said.

The final details regarding this game are yet to be disclosed. However, this is not the first time Sorare has been working with a sports organization to help them release NFTs. Sorare has already partnered with Major league soccer for NFTs that offered a variety of prizes for players to collect. These deals allow sports organizations to interact with fans and give them rewards.

Sorare has also worked with individual players in the past. Professional athletes have owned and sold their digital cards on the Sorare marketplace in the past. This move has provided a unique opportunity for fans to collect and engage.

On the other hand, MLB had already dipped its toes into the crypto world. Last year, the league announced a partnership with the FTX cryptocurrency exchange. The deal also allowed the league to become popular among crypto investors, expanding its fan base.

Growth of sports NFTs

NFTs in the sports sector have become increasingly popular over the past year. The digital asset sector has exploded in popularity, and the multi-billion industry is now attracting players across different industries.

Besides MLB, other sports associations are also diving into the space. Recently, the Football Association announced a plan to release NFTs. However, the details of this project are yet to be announced, with the association adding that if it launches NFTs, it would be in the right way.

Australia Cricket has also released NFTs as per an announcement issued last month. The English Premier League is also filled with NFT released and crypto partnerships that have allowed clubs in the league to interact with their fans.

Despite the growing popularity of NFTs, there has also been concern over the effects of NFTs on the environment, given that some blockchains where these assets are minted are energy-intensive.