The Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) market has largely shaped the world as we know it, leaving no industry behind, including sports. As a result, digital transformation has proven to be a huge challenge as teams suffer from a lack of internal resources, minimal tactical support from experts, and an inability to implement a multi-layered engagement strategy.
To learn more about the industry and how to build a bridge to the next generation of esports, Cointelegraph sat down with Vladimir Ljolka, CEO and Co-Founder of Blocksport, and Mladen Petrich, a football legend and one of the project advisors.
When asked about the project’s presentation, General Manager Vladimir replied: “We are big fans of sports. We are fans and we are innovators trying to make the world of sports a better place.” The result is “a sports technology company focused on fun, engaging solutions and innovative products that can help professional clubs, teams and athletes to actively participate and monetize their fan communities.” The effort he shares is only possible through “digitization and coding”.
As a sports tech expert, Blocksport set out to tackle many of the issues Vladimir notes that plague the industry today.
When we look at the traditional sports industry, the CEO begins by saying that “clubs, teams and other key stakeholders are not familiar with the digital agenda.” Although they realize that their community is getting younger and no longer go to the stadiums or watch TV, they are “a little scared” of what the future holds.
“The sports community lives in a virtual world, consuming virtual goods and looking for new ways to have fun.”
Unfortunately, “the clubs don’t know how to react” and if they did, they wouldn’t have the chance. Blocksport effectively fills this gap as a partner in the new digital age. A trend exacerbated by the pandemic and post-pandemic times, when “[clubs] have lost a lot of spectators and therefore a lot of money”.
The three elements are the core of an ecosystem
As a strategic technology partner, Blocksport uses NFTs, Fan Tokens and GameFi to help clubs, teams and athletes reach new audiences and provide them with the support they need to monetize these relationships.
Volodymyr Lyulka commented on this relationship, saying that “Blocksport decided to create a platform where NFTs, fan tokens and GameFi meet.” But unlike markets like OpenSea, all releases focus on sports.
In practice, the Blocksport team provides support on “the overall delivery of NFT to partners and clubs, including explaining the value [they create], content delivery plan strategy, and promotion opportunities.”
However, NFT is only one component of the platform. Next to them is the stealth staging platform, a position shared by Vladimir that “gives the clubs direct control” as well as the opportunity to “merge into their history” and engage with “true fans”.
More information about Block Sports here
Linking it all together, Vladimir shares the third part, GameFi, allowing fans to “not only own their favorite team or idol’s NFT” but also “allow them to make money” by betting and participating in various NFTs. games. The ecosystem is said to be powered by Blocksport Token (BSPT), which will be listed at the end of February on several centralized (CEX) and decentralized (DEX) exchanges.
The CEO also mentions some thoughts on what will happen in the near future: “We are putting a lot of focus and our time and attention into the GameFi components” and intend “to deliver more NFT games and games.”
As a result, clubs, teams, and athletes can become digitally closer to the masses.
From an athlete’s point of view
Looking at the impact of the project from a different angle, former Croatian footballer and striker Mladen Petrich shares his personal experience as a professional player: “This is a great opportunity to keep in touch with your fans, even for ex-athletes like I who retired nearly six years ago. back”.
“It’s amazing how many fans are trying to contact me via social media and other means like messaging.” Now, with Blocksport, “active and retired athletes can still connect with fans,” he adds.
Mladen continues to admire Vladimir and the rest of the Blocksport team for their dedication and passion for improving the sports community.
It all comes down to society
With the emergence of many projects across many industries, the sense of community has grown, and the sports industry can be one of them, especially with the concept of the metaverse.
In the BlockSport roadmap metaverse, Vladimir introduced the concept for the first time, describing it as “a place where fans can interact head-on.
