- NFL Rivals will launch in early 2023 on mobile and web
- Game is the latest development in league’s NFT strategy
The National Football League (NFL) is creating a blockchain-based video game that will allow players to own, collect, and trade non-fungible tokens (NFTs) based on all 32 franchises.
The league, the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) and Mythical Games have signed a deal for the gaming studio to develop ‘NFL Rivals’ both web browsers and mobile platforms, with a launch planned for early 2023, giving fans the opportunity to play as a fantasy general manager.
Players will build, assemble, and improve their rosters to compete against others in online competition, acquiring NFTs to enhance the experience. Depending on their rarity, these NFTs give players access to special events, in-game rewards and other features.
“NFTs are revolutionising the fan experience, and we’re excited to collaborate with the imaginative team at Mythical Games to create a whole new blockchain-based world in which NFL players take centre stage,” said Terése Whitehead, vice president for consumer products and strategy at NFL Players Inc., the marketing and licensing arm of the NFLPA.
“Partnering with the NFL to drive new fan and player engagement through fresh game design and the benefits of Web 3.0 is an exciting moment for us,” added Jamie Jackson, chief creative officer at Mythical Games.
“NFTs with utility can add value to players in-game, and we can’t wait to bring these concepts to NFL Rivals to evolve the team management genre by adding the advantages of play-and-own games, offering the community new ways to engage with their favourite teams and players both in and outside this virtual world.”
The NFL is one of several sports leagues looking to see how NFTs can create new experiences for fans and generate new revenue streams for its teams. Other projects include commemorative ticket stubs NFTs and video highlight-based digital collectibles with Dapper Labs.
