Four-time NFL champion Rob Gronkowski is launching his own set of NFTs through a partnership with OpenSea, the largest marketplace for user-owned digital goods.
Gronkowski will become the first pro athlete to release his own set of digital trading cards. Each one features highlights from his four Super Bowl wins.
“I see what’s going on, and it’s just exploding,” Gronkowski told CNBC. “I wanted my fans that are living in the digital world to be able to get a piece of this action.”
The new venture comes as digital sports collectibles continue to boom. In the past 30 days, NBA Top Shot has seen over $269 million funneled through its marketplaces.
The NFL is considering an NFT-based product, and soccer leagues around the world are partnering with Sorare, “a digital experience where football fans collect, trade, and connect with the beautiful game in a whole new way,” as envisioned by co-founder and CEO Nicolas Julia.
But NFTs still have room for growth in terms of representation.
“I’ve invested big in women’s sports, but the rise of NFTs and trading card boom is going to be HUGE for women’s sports,” tweeted Alexis Ohanian, Sorare investor, Reddit co-founder, and husband of tennis legend Serena Williams.
