Published on: 13/05/2022
MLB announces partnership with Sorare to create NFT game
Major League Baseball, alongside its Players Association and Sorare, announced Thursday a partnership to create an NFT-based MLB game, set to launch in summer 2022.
The announcement marked Sorare’s grand journey to develop non-soccer-related games. Aside from being a different theme, Sorare’s MLB-themed game reportedly will focus on the United States league.
Moreover, the upcoming NFT MLB game will offer digital collectibles for fans that take the form of digital cards of MLB professional players.
MLB, Sorare announce new NFT baseball game
MLB Players Association which is the MLB’s player licensing group facilitated the agreement. The announcement also marked the MLB to follow suit with the NBA in licensing NFT products for fans. Although perhaps slightly different, in the case of MLB the NFT goal appeared to be geared towards digital memorabilia.
Sorare is quite an established name in the NFT gaming scene. Founded in 2018, the firm developed a soccer game with the same name. In general, Sorare’s video game genres are trading cards, sports video games, and simulation games.
Sorare co-founder and CEO Nicolas Julia explained that MLB was one of the most established sports memorabilia, and with the number of fans it had, the firm said it was excited to announce a partnership with the league. Julia appeared to be optimistic that making it digital will expand both the league’s fan base and Sorare’s community.
“The connection between Americans and baseball is enduring. And baseball has always been at the forefront of new technologies and innovations, so we are proud that MLB and the MLBPA have chosen Sorare to bring an MLB NFT game to fans around the world,” Julia said.
“MLB has been at the forefront of interactive gaming for decades, while baseball has some of the oldest and most established forms of sports memorabilia. Together they demonstrate how much fans want to own and be a part of the game. Today, as digital engagement and technology evolve for a new generation, our partnership will help a new and broader fan base connect with America’s pastime.”
Sorare also explained that the goal of creating an NFT MLB game was to allow fans to create their own NFTs of MLB players and to connect with related MLB entities during a live baseball game experience.
MLB to combine sports, tech, gaming for fans, says Commissioner
Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr said that the company’s focus was to transform MLB fans through a combination of sports, technology, and gaming.
“The connections we build with our fans are vital and Sorare understands the importance of that bond,” Manfred added.
Partnering with the firm is expected to set forth the growth of fans for both the MLB and Sorare. Shead of announcing the partnership, Sorare recorded an explosive 32 percent of month-over-month growth over the past 12 months.
“Sorare has built a new baseball gaming experience that will excite fans around collecting NFTs from players, building winning lineups and competing against baseball fans from around the world,” MLB Executive Director Tony Clark said.
“We are very excited about our partnership and the effect Sorare’s first foray into North American sports will have on the growth of our game globally.”
