The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA), which is owned by Bowlero, has launched a groundbreaking new non-fungible token (NFT) loyalty program for its 300,000 strong membership. Through this Avalanche-powered initiative, participants will receive “digital awards” (NFTs) for their feats in the bowling alley.
Dubbed the “League Bowler Certification” (LBC) awards, this unique offering will initially showcase high scores within the game before developing into a hardened loyalty program. As such, the future of the LBC will involve players earning points for their 10-pin endeavors, which they can then exchange for physical products, trophies, and experiences.
Known as the “mother of loyalty programs,” the PBA will airdrop the tokens to qualifying members, who will then receive a “non-tradable” (soulbound) digital memento that recognizes their significant achievements in ten-pin bowling. Once fully up and running, the PBA aims to roll out its cutting-edge loyalty program to organizations and bowlers all across the globe.
What stands out about the PBA loyalty program is that it provides a mainstream use case for NFT technology. Even though its member base consists of individuals who would rather enjoy a pint and a game than engage with any kind of blockchain machinations, the PBA has found a novel way to integrate the technology.
Essentially, members will automatically enroll in the program through their PBA membership and will be able to collect NFTs without engaging with cryptocurrencies. The LBC awards will refrain from using any blockchain terminology, such as NFTs, and will instead officially call the tokens “Digital Awards.”
Despite this, these digital awards remain very much NFTs as they reside on the Avalanche blockchain. The PBA has collaborated with Web3 outfit, Layer 3 Labs, to operate a dedicated Avalanche subnet that will insulate the program and prevent the network from becoming congested.
The PBA loyalty program represents a significant breakthrough in the mainstream adoption of blockchain technology applications. By creating an interface that minimizes the need for users to understand the underlying technology, the PBA has made it more attractive and accessible to the masses.
NFTs, at their core, are a unique and immutable representation of ownership. Each NFT represents a line of code on a blockchain. Therefore, they cannot be replicated, and their holders can prove that they own the unique asset in question. The PBA loyalty program harnesses this technology by using NFTs to denote specific player achievements within the game.
The rising popularity of NFTs is a testament to their broad appeal. From digital art to sports memorabilia, people from all walks of life are eager to own a unique, valuable asset that is irrefutably theirs. In this regard, the PBA loyalty program is an exciting development, as it enables everyday people to enter the world of digital ownership without requiring a deep understanding of the underlying technology.
In conclusion, the PBA loyalty program is a groundbreaking initiative that has taken NFTs one step closer to mainstream adoption. By making it accessible to everyday people, the PBA is putting a valuable asset into the hands of its members, one that can be used to recognize their achievements on the lanes, and be redeemed for rewarding experiences in the world of bowling. The PBA loyalty program is an exciting development that foreshadows a future where blockchain technology is just as accessible as smartphones and the internet.
