ESPN inks collaboration deal with Tom Brady’s NFT platform
NFT platform Autograph, co-founded by Tom Brady, is working with ESPN in a new deal to create the network’s first NFTs.
The project includes an NFT collection inspired by the documentary series Man in the Arena: Tom Brady, produced by Religion of Sports, another company co-founded by Brady. The film highlights Brady's and other big figures' careers.
NFTs can be viewed on Autograph.io starting April 6, but are available on DraftKings Marketplace for purchase. Fifty NFTs will be signed by Brady. Another collection will also become available with the premiere of the series’ tenth episode on ESPN+.
"ESPN is excited to offer our first NFTs to meet our fans at the intersection of sports, technology and content," said Kevin Lopes, Vice President of Sports Business Development & Innovation at ESPN, in a statement. "Our work with ESPN Edge has led us to where we are today, exploring new, innovative ways of engaging fans, and we are thrilled to partner with Autograph for this collection and others in the future.”
In January, Autograph raised $170 million in Series B funding led by a16z and Kleiner Perkins in an effort to allow celebrities in sports to sell NFTs.
Until recently, the NFL had strict rules around crypto partnerships, which it loosened in March.
