Club to make iconic images from its 122 years of history available for ownership by fans around the world through the digital auction house.
The digital world is evolving and growing to adapt to today’s trends, and FC Barcelona want to be a benchmark in this type of newly-created digital assets – NFTs – a product that has aroused major interest among collectors, in the digital realm. As part of this strategy, the Club has signed a new global partnership agreement with project Ownix, a premium marketplace for NFTs based on the standards of the Ethereum blockchain, a platform for sharing data that cannot be manipulated or changed. This is an innovative alliance, with both institutions collaborating to make Barça NFTs based on photos videos featuring iconic moments from the Club’s history available to fans.
Barcelona’s decision to begin selling NFTs on Ownix may have been prompted by the debt crisis the club is currently in, with debts reported around $1.56 billion this summer. The club’s previous leadership is accused of reckless spending on a number of players on high wages that have subsequently underperformed. This summer, the club was forced into a fire sale and, due to rules on how big its wage bill could be, was unable to retain Lionel Messi, one of the world’s most successful players. That NFTs are, essentially, the definition of money for old rope, means that it’s the sort of financial opportunity a club like Barcelona are incapable of turning down right now.
Joan Laporta, president of FC Barcelona, said: “Barça has a very large fanbase around the world and is leading the way in the digital domain with over 400 million followers in social networks. Given this scenario, the Club is constantly looking for new ways to connect with its fans, and we believe that creating these NFTs is a unique opportunity to continue growing and consolidating the Barça brand by bringing unique moments that have made Barça fans dream and FC Barcelona a well-known club on every level.”
In his turn, Guy Elhanani, Ownix CEO, added: “As NFTs surge, we thought it is important to give those collectors who are Barça fans an opportunity to own a piece of their Club’s history. This new and exciting asset class allows collectors to own things that weren’t possible to own before, and we’re thrilled to offer sports fans an opportunity to spearhead the movement. Our Mission is to bring customers to purchase NFTs, not because they are marketable, but for the pleasure and pride of owning them.”
So far in the year 2021, NFT platform has reported trading volumes in excess of $170 million, and there is full expectations that that figure will be doubled even before the year runs out.
