The NBA and NBPA have launched their new NFT fantasy basketball game with Sorare, the Paris-based gaming company that already offers NFT fantasy contests with MLB, MLS and top international soccer leagues. Fans can buy and trade digital cards of NBA players to build five-man fantasy lineups for competitions against other users on Sorare’s website and app starting Oct. 21.
NBA player cards this season will be available in five scarcity tiers: 5,000 Limited, 1,000 Rares, 100 Super Rares and one Unique card. Fantasy teams will earn points based on their player’s real-life performances, such as points scored, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals, three pointers, and lose points for turnovers. Winning fantasy contests will let users gain rewards such as new Sorare player cards, jerseys and tickets to real NBA games. The NBA announced its multi-year deal with Sorare last month to become the league’s first NFT fantasy partner.
Sorare was founded in 2018 and has roots in international fantasy soccer before expanding this year to offer blockchain-based NFT fantasy products for MLB and the NBA. In the first six months of 2022, trading volume on Sorare increased 250% compared to last year. Sorare says its MLB game now has more than 75,000 users since launching earlier this year. The company raised $680 million in Sept. 2021.
