The Seattle Storm and Coinbase are teaming up to launch NFTs commemorating Seattle Storm legend Sue Bird’s jersey retirement at Climate Pledge Arena on June 11.
A pair of digital collectables will be available for fans, honoring the WNBA star’s 21-year career that included four championships and five Olympic gold medals.
During the Seattle Storm vs. Washington Mystics game — where Bird’s No. 10 jersey retirement will take place — fans in attendance can claim a NFT, or non-fungible token.
The digital collectible offers a digital keepsake of the event and access to sweepstakes and discounts at the Storm’s team store. The other edition will be released on Bird’s social media accounts the day after the game.
It’s the first-ever POAP — “Proof of Attendance Protocol” — token by a WNBA team.
“Web3 opens the door for fans to engage with their favorite teams and players in new ways,” Coinbase Sports Marketing Senior Manager Maria Grosso told GeekWire.
NFTs are digital certificates of ownership that use blockchain technology and cryptocurrency. They gained significant attention during the cryptocurrency boom of 2021, a time in which athletes, artists, celebrities and others released their own digital collectibles to interact with fans. Even Bird got in on the action. Sports leagues such as the NBA also created NFTs.
But popularity of NFTs have significantly dwindled in recent years amid a broader downturn in the crypto market due to macroeconomic conditions and regulatory crackdown.
The Securities and Exchange Commission this week filed a lawsuit against Coinbase, alleging the company operated as a crypto asset trading platform without proper oversight by the federal agency. That came a day after the SEC sued Binance, accusing the trading platform of mishandling funds and lying to regulators.
To claim the Bird NFT at the game, attendees must scan a QR code, submit their email, and set up a Coinbase Wallet. By clicking a button, they will reach the claim page where they can enter their Ethereum address to finalize the process. Once completed, Bird’s jersey retirement NFT will live in their Coinbase Wallet.
Completing the process automatically enters participants into a sweepstakes. Prizes include an opportunity to win four courtside seats to a Storm game, a meet-and-greet with Bird, and signed merchandise including a jersey and bobblehead. In addition, 10 fans will win two tickets to a catered suite experience at a Storm game, along with a signed Sue Bird bobblehead.
