FC Barcelona, the world?s second-most valuable soccer club, is joining the rush to issue non-fungible tokens with a plan to offer NFTs based on photos and videos from the club?s 122-year history.
- The NFTs will be offered for auction through Ownix, a marketplace on the Ethereum blockchain.
- The official launch takes place Nov. 24, according to a countdown timer on the Ownix website.
- Barça, as the team is known, is second in value only to Spanish rival Real Madrid, according to a ranking by Brand Finance, which says the team might drop down the ladder after Lionel Messi ? who has his own NFT collection ? left the club for Paris St. Germain in a deal that also included NFTs.
- ?Creating these NFTs is a unique opportunity to continue growing and consolidating the Barça brand by bringing unique moments that have made Barça fans dream and FC Barcelona a well-known club on every level,? Joan Laporta, the club?s president, said in a statement.
- Sports teams worldwide have been exploring NFTs as a way of generating income and raising fan engagement. In September, Spain?s La Liga became the first of Europe?s top soccer leagues to offer NFTs of all its players through French digital soccer collectibles platform Sorare. European rivals including Atletico Madrid, Porto, AS Roma and England?s Liverpool have already announced NFT deals.
See also: In Europe, Football NFTs and Tokens Are No Fantasy