• Loading stock data...
Friday, December 13, 2024

The Incredible Rise of NFTs and NBA Top Shot

  • NBA Top Shot is seeing explosive growth, with over $42 million in sales on Monday alone.
  • Both sports memorabilia and crypto assets have seen consumer and investor money pour in at an astonishing rate.
Photo: NBA Top Shot/Design: Alex Brooks

Want to watch a rocket take off in real-time? Look no further than NBA Top Shot.

Last week, Front Office Sports explored the meteoric rise of collectible highlights and non-fungible tokens, or NFTs. Turns out, NFTs were just getting started. 

In the last seven days, NBA Top Shot has grown its user base by around 50%, bringing in 33,000 new users and completing nearly half a million transactions. On Monday, its 24-hour sales volume topped $45 million, equal to roughly half the platform’s total sales just a week ago.

The market for NBA-licensed video highlights brings together the surging trends of sports collectibles and crypto-backed assets.

  • A LeBron James dunk more than doubled the platform’s previous single-sale record on Monday when it sold for $208,000.
  • Sports memorabilia auction house Goldin Auctions raised $40 million from investors last week.
  • YouTuber Logan Paul got in on the action, launching his own NFT set on Friday, which grossed over $5 million.
  • Sorare, a fantasy soccer crypto asset company, saw its daily sales volume double to over $460,000 on Monday. It raised $4 million in a seed round last summer. 
  • CryptoPunks, a blockchain-based market for pixelated cartoon headshots, had over $15 million in 24-hour sales on Monday.

NFTs have sparked a gold rush among collectors and speculators that shows no signs of slowing down.

Earlier this month, Dapper Labs — the company behind Top Shot — announced plans for a $250 million fundraise at a $2 billion valuation.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sponsored

Racing Forward: How SailGP is Redefining High-Performance Sailing and Championing Gender Equality

The most exciting racing on water is making waves by rewriting the narrative of what’s possible for women in high-performance sports.
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Elon Musk looks on before Super Bowl LVIII between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.

Can Elon Musk’s X Fix Its Rampant Fake Sports News Problem?

Little is known about how X will enforce its new policy aimed at parody accounts.
Oct 1, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) drives past New York Liberty forwards Kayla Thornton (5) and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (44) during game two of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Barclays Center.

Kelsey Plum Backs Out of Unrivaled

She’s skipping the new league’s season, along with Caitlin Clark.
Nov 26, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Oregon Ducks guard Keeshawn Barthelemy (9) approaches Texas A&M Aggies guard CJ Wilcher (10) during the first half at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory

Is This $9 Million Basketball Tournament the ‘Future of College Sports’?

NIL opportunities for players are scheduled throughout the six-day tournament.

Featured Today

The Top-Secret Operation to Create the Army-Navy Football Uniforms

The two-year process includes dozens of employees, NDAs, and military historians.
Nov 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Detailed view of a Wilson NBA basketball held by a referee during the second half between the Utah Jazz against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena
December 9, 2024

‘Obvious Weak Point’: Refs Remain an NBA Gambling Concern

A season after Jontay Porter, the biggest risk may not be players.
Nov 2, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines cheerleader runs with a flag before the game against the Oregon Ducks at Michigan Stadium.
opinion
December 7, 2024

College Football’s Billionaire Backer Era Begins

Is this the new normal in CFB recruiting?
LA Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljic (9) celebrates with midfielder Riqui Puig (10) after scoring a goal against Seattle Sounders FC in the second half in the 2024 MLS Cup Western Conference Final match at Dignity Health Sports Park
December 6, 2024

With or Without Messi, Major League Soccer Is Barreling Into the Future

After the Cup final, the league looks to accelerate its growth.

Endeavor, TKO Consolidate Sports Assets, Hoping They’re Better Together

The move brings On Location, Professional Bull Riders, and IMG under TKO.
Sep 11, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; The Nike shoes worn by Seattle Storm center Mercedes Russell in the first half against the LA Sparks at Crypto.com Arena.
opinion
September 28, 2024

New Nike CEO Must Do It

The biggest task the new CEO faces is intangible: Refresh the brand.
October 1, 2024

Nike CFO Says ‘Adversity Creates Sharper Focus’

Amid a downbeat but expected set of earnings, Nike says it sees signs of optimism.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
A Nike swoosh on a building in Eugene, Oregon.
September 23, 2024

Wall Street: Things Will Get Worse for Nike Before They Get Better

Some analysts are skeptical of how much the new CEO will change.
Crypto.com soccer advertising
September 15, 2024

The Champions League Is Back. So Is Crypto Sponsorship

Crypto investment is making its debut in the biggest European soccer competition.
Sep 9, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (1) warms up before a game against the New York Jets at Levi's Stadium.
September 12, 2024

The NFL’s Private Equity Era Won’t Be the Bloodbath You Think—for Now

“It’s a different kind of investment thesis entirely.”
ESPN commentator Jay Williams speaking at a conference.
September 11, 2024

Jay Williams Supports PE in College Sports: ‘I Would Like to Own 49% of Duke Basketball’

Williams wants in when PE gets into college sports.