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If you’re wondering what exactly an NFT is, it’s a “Non-fungible token.”
Not that anyone expects you to know what that means, so in more simple terms, “‘Non-fungible’ more or less means that it’s unique and can’t be replaced with something else. For example, a bitcoin is fungible — trade one for another bitcoin, and you’ll have exactly the same thing. A one-of-a-kind trading card, however, is non-fungible. If you traded it for a different card, you’d have something completely different. You gave up a Squirtle, and got a 1909 T206 Honus Wagner, which StadiumTalk calls ‘the Mona Lisa of baseball cards.'”
The major difference is the asset you are collecting is a digital item, which has also been labeled as digital artwork. You might think to yourself, “well how much can a digital asset really be worth?” Look no further than the likes of Bitcoin and Dogecoin, where each is trading on cryptocurrency markets for millions of dollars. Further, the highest known NFT artwork, created by Mike ‘Beeple’ Winkelmann, has already sold for $69.3 million this past February.
Every single day for the last 13 years, the digital artist Beeple has created a unique artwork from start to finish as part of his monumental ongoing series, EVERYDAYS.
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This month, we will of…#beeple #digitalart #digitalartist #artist #art #thefirst5000days #nft @beeple_crap pic.twitter.com/4VjcZp4rWq— Christie's (@ChristiesInc) February 16, 2021
Flux88 and Fanaply partnered with New York Islanders legends, Bryan Trottier and Denis Potvin, creating four NFT’s that commemorate the end of the Islanders era at Nassau Coliseum. Fanaply will host, mint, sell and distribute the four NFT’s that have been labeled the “Closing The Barn” NFT Collection.
Of the four NFTs, illustrated by artist Kevin Briones, that are NOW available in the “Closing the Barn” series, three are for purchase, and the final is a 1-of-1 NFT that is for auction and includes a once-in-a-lifetime fan experience. The auction is live from August 31, at 12pm ET, and closes on September 2, 2021, at 9pm ET. Each NFT has an exclusive artwork and audio from Potvin, Trottier, or both reminiscing on their time with the Islanders.
“Bringing limited-edition digital assets to the fans of NHL legends like Denis Potvin and Bryan Trottier is central to Fanaply’s belief that NFTs are the future of fan engagement,” said Grant Dexter, co-founder and CEO of Fanaply. “They allow fans to commemorate amazing moments, milestones and experiences of the teams, games, venues and communities they love through ownership in a unique digital collectible. Our NFTs are inclusive, environmentally friendly and can create real fan engagement in real life by unlocking real-world rewards. Fans are telling us they want digital products, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with a creative studio like Flux 88.”
The Gold Edition NFT titled “That Place Was Rocking All the Time,” is a 1-of-1 NFT that will be auctioned off starting at $2,000. In addition to winning the bid for the Gold Edition NFT, the winner will receive an exclusive experience with Potvin and Trottier, depending on what range the bid falls in.
The winner will be able to spend time with both former stars in different capacities such as a golf outing or attending a game at UBS Arena, hearing insider stories about the legendary four Stanley Cups in a row and other memories from their careers. Truly a once in a lifetime fan experience!
And the Trottier Edition titled “Closing The Barn with Bryan Trottier” and Potvin Edition titled “Closing The Barn with Denis Potvin” are limited to 80 NFTs each for direct purchase of $40 each.
“We believe that the ability to provide intimate glimpses into iconic moments in sports history makes the NFT space a remarkable innovation in the memorabilia world,” said Rich Nardo, partner of Flux88. “Denis and Bryan are two of the most celebrated names in Islanders’ history. With this series, fans are able to hear two legends reflect fondly on their time at The Coliseum and touch on just how much they appreciated the fans that filled the stadium. It’s a nice reminder that the bond between player and fan isn’t one-sided and that the community that develops around a franchise is something truly amazing for all those involved. When you factor in the opportunity to bid on a once in a lifetime real-world experience with the two icons, we feel this NFT series is something very special and we’re proud to present it with Fanaply.”
This is Trottier’s second go in the world of NFTs, previously releasing three commemorating his time with the Islanders back in May 2021 and can be found at bryantrottier.com/nft.
“I didn’t know a lot about it,” Trottier said to ESPN regarding NFTs and the digital collecting world. “But the way they explained it to me, they said, you know, collectors are eating this stuff up. Tom Brady did one, Gronk did one. It’s great to be a part of something new and fresh in the world of collectibles, and to be an early one in the hockey world, even as I’m known maybe as one of the old guys.”
Now, Trottier and Potvin have teamed up with Flux88 and Fanaply for four exclusive digital items. The NFTs are available for purchase and auction right now at www.fanaply.com/flux88, or Fanaply.com.
Follow James on Twitter @JamesNicholsNYI