In an announcement that has sent ripples of excitement through the digital collectible community and NFL fan base alike, Upland, the premier Web3 Metaverse SuperApp, has revealed its third consecutive year of featuring officially licensed NFL players in its collections. This groundbreaking collaboration, facilitated by OneTeam Partners, in conjunction with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), is set to take the Upland experience to a whole new level for the 2023-2024 season.
Upland has consistently pushed the boundaries of the Metaverse experience, and this year is no exception. Football enthusiasts can now immerse themselves in a season-specific digital collection that closely connects them with their favorite NFL players in real time, bridging the gap between the virtual and real-world football experience.
To kick off the highly anticipated football season, Upland is introducing a fresh collection of officially licensed NFL player digital collectibles. This collection includes gamified digital collectibles that offer fans a dynamic and interactive way to engage with their beloved players. Fans can explore the Metaverse SuperApp, participate in community events sponsored by the platform to enhance their Fan Scores, and browse community-created shops celebrating previous seasons in collaboration with the NFLPA.
Enhanced Fan Engagement and Digital Collectibles
One of the most exciting aspects of this collaboration is the gamified experience of acquiring digital NFL player collectibles. Fans can acquire various collectibles, each representing different NFL players, through Upland’s innovative NFLPA Bundles. The new Bundle types for the 2023-24 season include Mixed Essentials Bundle, Team Essentials Bundle, and Pass Bundles. Collecting these items not only adds to a fan’s collection but also boosts their Fan Score, increasing their chances of winning rewards.
Fans in Upland can now engage in friendly competition based on their Fan Score, which is earned by completing collections and participating in community events. Additionally, owners of NFLPA Legits, a unique digital asset within Upland, receive an advantage in fan score challenges. The NFLPA Bundles provide fans with the opportunity to relive memorable moments, iconic performances, and even embark on virtual stadium visits within the Upland Metaverse SuperApp.
Idan Zuckerman, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Upland, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, “NFLPA Legits in Upland keep delivering engaging digital fan experiences, bringing excitement to football fans through digital collectible trading. The fact that two full seasons of NFLPA Legits are now available in NFLPA Fan Shops on the secondary market speaks to the success of these digital collectibles within the Upland community as we enter our third year of partnership with the NFLPA.”
The NFLPA, through its marketing and licensing arm NFL Players Inc., represents over 2,000 active players from the National Football League, one of the most popular professional sports leagues in the United States. In the immersive web platform provided by Upland, fans can enjoy a wide array of digital player collectibles, geo-specific stadium experiences, wearables, fan challenges, and much more.
A Digital Collectible Extravaganza
This collaboration ensures that fans can live out their football fandom in the Metaverse through platform-sponsored events, contests, and challenges. Upland’s commitment to enhancing the collection experience with gamified opportunities has made it a hub for acquiring, trading, and completing unique digital assets. Football enthusiasts can dive into the 2023-2024 season in the Upland Metaverse, which is accessible on Google Play, the App Stores, and the web, offering an immersive and engaging experience.
Upland, the Metaverse Super App, is on a mission to build the largest digital open economy, mapping the real world onto the digital realm. With over 3 million registered accounts, nearly 300,000 landowners, and more than 6 million NFTs sold, Upland is a widely used Web3 platform. The platform offers various activities for players and creators, including virtual property trading, world-building, collecting, and competitive events like car racing.
Metaverse entrepreneurs can operate their own shops within Upland’s thriving economy, powered by UPX, the native currency, and Spark, a utility token that fuels value creation within the community. Upland is headquartered in Silicon Valley and has additional offices in Las Vegas, Ukraine, and Brazil. Founded in July 2018 and launched in June 2019, Upland is accessible on the web, the App Store, and Google Play, allowing users worldwide to experience the Metaverse.
The NFLPA serves as the union for professional football players in the NFL. Established in 1956, the NFLPA has a storied history of protecting and representing players’ interests. In Upland’s immersive platform, fans can enjoy a multitude of digital player collectibles, geo-specific stadium experiences, wearables, fan challenges, and more.
The NFLPA’s commitment to ensuring players’ rights are upheld is further exemplified through partnerships like this one, which aims to enhance the fan experience. NFL Players Inc., the licensing and marketing arm of the NFLPA, connects businesses with the power of NFL players. NFL Players Inc. offers customized business solutions for partners, leveraging licensing, marketing strategies, and player activations.
OneTeam Partners, the group licensing partner of the NFLPA leading their gaming business, represents the commercial interests of over 10,000 players spanning various sports. This includes members from the NFLPA, MLBPA, MLSPA, U.S. Women’s National Team PA, WNBPA, NWSLPA, U.S. Rugby PA, and the League Championship Series PA, alongside thousands of college athletes. Launched in 2019 as a joint venture between the NFLPA and MLBPA, OneTeam maximizes the collective value of athletes’ rights through group licensing, marketing, media, and other ventures.
