The Dallas Cowboys, Sony, Epic Games, Lego, McLaren Auto, the Metaverse, and more
Last week, the Dallas Cowboys announced an exclusive digital asset partnership with Blockchain.com.
Dallas Cowboys Owner and General Manager Jerry Jones said "Blockchain.com is one of the oldest and most trusted digital asset platforms in the world, has easy-to-use products and remains relentlessly focused on customers ...They are bringing Wall Street to Main Street by making digital assets available to anyone, anywhere in the world – and that's a touchdown for our millions of global fans."
Blockchain.com CEO Peter Smith said, "I'm incredibly honored to join forces with the world's most valuable sports franchise and the Jones family, who have dedicated their lives to building a first-class franchise on and off the field for 33 years."
Separately, Epic Games raised $2 billion in new funding, from Sony and Lego owner Kirkbi, to drive metaverse development.
Sony CEO and chairman Kenichiro Yoshida said, "Epic's expertise, including their powerful game engine, combined with Sony’s technologies, will accelerate our various efforts such as the development of new digital fan experiences in sports and our virtual production initiatives.”
Epic Games CEO and founder Tim Sweeney said, "This investment will accelerate our work to build the metaverse and create spaces where players can have fun with friends, brands can build creative and immersive experiences and creators can build a community and thrive."
Kirkbi CEO Soren Thorup Sorensen said, " “This investment will accelerate our engagement in the world of digital play ... with a long-term focus toward the future metaverse.”
Finally, super-car firm McLaren Automotive announced a metaverse partnership with InfiniteWorld
McLaren Automotive Chief Marketing Officer Gareth Dunsmore said, "Increasingly in demand from our customers and fans alike ...the partnership aims to push the boundaries and elevate the [customer/fan] experience ... in everything we do.”
InfiniteWorld CEO Yonathan Lapchik said we "look forward to leveraging our advanced NFT and metaverse infrastructure to showcase McLaren Automotive's exceptional and compelling products and experiences in the metaverse."
OUR TAKE
The use of blockchains, NFTs, metaverse platforms, and other technologies will extend and redefine the sports fan experience in many ways.
As high-profile organizations (Dallas Cowboys, Sony, Epic, McLaren, and others) announce partnerships and investments, their efforts may provide leadership in both metaverse technology and metaverse business economics.
Building WEB 3 solutions is a complex process and will likely challenge some “first mover” players as they introduce new/cutting edge capabilities to a broad and diverse set of users.