The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Dapper Labs are working together to release the NBA Top Shot, a digital platform for collectables based on blockchain.
According to the companies, players will be able to buy, sell and trade digital collectables such as “Kevin Durant’s 3-point shot” or “Joel Embiid’s dunk“. Digital collectables can then be used for onchain games and tournaments.
The successor to CryptoKitties
Similar to the successful NBA 2K game, Dapper’s NBA Top Shot will allow users to buy players and build their dream team using blockchain technology.
The Dapper Labs product comes two years after the launch of CryptoKitties, the number one game based on Ethereum the blockchain, and months after Cheeze Wizardz, its second major game.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is joined by the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), a union of players founded in 1954.
On the issue, NBPA sales executive Josh Goodstadt defines the Dapper product as “an entirely new way for fans to connect with their favourite athletes“.
Goodstadt said:
“We believe blockchain technology creates a truly unique product that fans can collect, manage and engage within a fun environment”.
NBA Top Shot will be officially launched in the fall. At the moment it is only possible to register by email to get exclusive access once the game is online.
Dapper Labs reiterated that they are working directly with NBPA to ensure that players get the most out of the gaming experience.
Dapper’s product is not the first attempt to combine blockchain technology with the sports world.
Recent cases include the Miami Dolphins, which have partnered with the Litecoin Foundation, and AS Roma, which has joined Socios, a blockchain-based voting platform.
