Taking its first official step into the space, Cricket Australia will launch an official range of NFTs marking some of the most memorable moments in Australian cricket, joining a boom industry which has already recorded US$11.8 billion in trading volume this year.
The NFTs will be available to own and trade under an NFT licensing agreement. Cricket Australia (CA) and the Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) have announced a multi-year partnership with Singapore-based collectibles platform Rario and NFT trading company BlockTrust, which will mint historic incidents in Australian cricket.
Cricket lovers globally can now own and trade NFTs of key events in the sport that took place on Australian soil. According to a tweet by Rario, the partnership will “give cricket lovers the opportunity to own a part of the sport they love and indulge in cricket NFT-based games in the Rario metaverse”:
Relive Australian Cricket History
As with all sports memorabilia, the value of NFTs is determined by demand, and there is certainly demand in a cricket-obsessed nation such as Australia. This partnership means that unique, digital versions of moments such as Steve Waugh’s Ashes hundred on the last ball of the day at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2003, Peter Siddle’s Ashes hat-trick in 2010, and Ellyse Perry’s double century in 2017 will now be available to own and trade.
Fans of the sport are understandably excited by the news:
Environmental Concerns Bowled Out
NFTs have long been criticised for their associated high carbon emissions, but in a joint statement, Rario, CA and the ACA say they are “committed to a partnership that [will see] NFTs produced in a sustainable manner”. The cricket NFTs will make use of the Ethereum side-chain Polygon, which they say “translates to more eco-friendliness and considerably fewer carbon emissions”.
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said in a statement:
We are excited to step into the metaverse with our partners Rario, BlockTrust and the ACA for this historic deal, which will open up huge opportunities for innovation and fan engagement. The game’s deep connection with its past, the passion of our fans and the appeal of Australian cricketers to a global audience means the incorporation of NFTs is another way that fans can engage and be part of the sport. This is just the start and I have no doubt we will see enormous benefit for fans, players and the sport itself as we build this exciting partnership.
Nick Hockley, CEO, Cricket Australia
Todd Greenberg, CEO of the ACA, issued his own statement:
Once you begin to learn about NFTs you soon understand [that] the engagement possibilities between past and present players [and] fans are huge. We all look forward to bringing this program to life in the coming months with new and innovative concepts.
Todd Greenberg, CEO, Australian Cricketers Association
Cricket NFTs Are No New Idea
Although this collection of NFTs will capture memorable moments in Australian cricket history, it is not the first time the sport has entered the NFT space. Last year, Crypto News Australia reported how Aussie legend Adam Gilchrist would digitise cricket moments to NFTs. The world’s first cricket-based NFTs were also launched last year ahead of the T20 World Cup.
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