Italy become third national federations to sign up for crypto-based fan token launch
November 14 – Italy have become the third national federation, Europe’s second, to jump on the blockchain-based Fan Token ‘cryptocurrency’ with Socios.com.
Digital platforms
AFC reports booming digital fan engagement numbers for 2021
November 10 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) continues to report growing digital engagement numbers across all its platforms, a reflection of both the return to play of its competitions, the appetite for Asia’s own championships, and an expansion of the media strategy.
Barca take their 122-year history crypto with launch of NFT programme
November 4 – Cash-strapped Barcelona are the latest club to enter the scramble to create NFTs, announcing a deal with Cyprus-based Ownix, a premium Ethereum-based NFT marketplace.
Ibrahimovic’s AC Milan goal celebration turned into live-minted NFT on Socios.com
November 2 – Veteran goalscorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic claimed another record Sunday, being the first player to have a goal celebration turned into an NFT (non-fungible token) ‘minted’ live during the game.
Last brand standing: Liverpool license marks to PUGB mobile game
November 2 – Premier League Liverpool FC (LFC) announced have partnered with mobile game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) Mobile in a deal that will see Liverpool’s marks introduced into the game.
UEFA pushes deeper into betting markets via data rights deal with Sportradar
November 1 – Sportradar has signed a deal with UEFA to be the European confederation’s exclusive betting data distributor. The agreement also makes Sportradar UEFA’s authorised data collector.
UEFA issues tender for Champions League cryptocurrency partner
October 20 – UEFA has opened up a new cryptocurrency rights category, inviting bids for the licensing rights to the Champions League for the 2021-24 cycle.
Qualtrics joins as Man City partner with mission to improve fan experience
October 14 – Manchester City today have partnered with Qualtrics who will become the club’s official Experience Management Software partner.
LaLiga and Microsoft launch Beyond Stands enhanced data portal for fans
October 7 – LaLiga and Microsoft have combined to launch a new football statistics portal, Beyond Stats, that they say will revolutionise the fan experience with deeper insights into game play.
Bundesliga joins LaLiga on Sorare fantasy platform with player card NFTs
October 6 – Bundesliga International, the marketing arm Germany’s Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2, has agreed a non-fungible tokens (NFTs) deal with fantasy football game Sorare.
Serie A world first with integration of ISG-Supponor latest virtual tech into IBC
October 6 – Use of virtual advertising technology has been a slow build but a new deal with Italy’s Serie A by UK-based Interregional Sports Group (ISG) and Supponor could prove to be a significant step towards more widespread acceptance.
LaLiga keeps up push into crypto-based fan engagement with Socios.com deal
September 15: Having launched their first major foray into blockchain and crypto last week with player card NFTs, in conjunction with fantasy game Sorare, LaLiga this week has followed up this week announcing a deal with Fan Token specialist Socios.com.
EA Sports embeds deeper with Serie A with title sponsorship and more teams
September 13 – EA Sports and Italy’s Serie A have announced a new exclusive partnership and licensee agreement giving the video game publisher exclusive license to 14 clubs as well as a series of competition activations.
Everton Fan Tokens launch Wednesday, Hibs go crypto
September 13 – Everton and Hibernians have become the latest clubs to enter the cryptocurrency world with the launch of fan tokens.
Inter secure €85m banking and crypto deal with Zytara and DigitalBits
September 3 – Serie A champions Inter Milan have signed a multi-year €85 million partnership with blockchain specialist Zytara Labs, that will see a collaboration across both cryptocurrency and digital banking.