Business
UFC and DraftKings Extend Strategic Relationship to Include Gamified NFTs
Reignmakers UFC Gamified NFT Series to Debut Ahead of UFC 276 in July BOSTON and LAS VEGAS, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, UFC® and DraftKings Inc.
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[{"type":"text","content":"Reignmakers UFC Gamified NFT Series to Debut Ahead of UFC 276 in July\nBOSTON and LAS VEGAS, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, UFC® and DraftKings Inc. (Nasdaq: DKNG) announced plans to launch a new iteration of DraftKings’ “Reignmakers” gamified digital collectibles franchise focused on UFC. Reignmakers UFC will allow fans to build collections of their favorite UFC fighters and utilize them in games to compete for prizes. The first season of Reignmakers UFC NFT-based games is expected to go live later this year. Ahead of the launch of the game, fans can soon begin collecting the initial NFTs of fighters via auctions and drops in DraftKings’ “Heatwave Series,” which will be based around this summer’s UFC events schedule, beginning with UFC® 276: ADESANYA vs. CANNONIER on July 2. Collectors will receive rewards both leading into and following the game rollout based on the utility of the NFT which could include entries into special daily fantasy contests for cash, custom merchandise and more. Under the new agreement with UFC, DraftKings Marketplace will have access to fighter IP from over 500 different athletes on the active UFC roster from which to choose to create the Reignmakers UFC collection. “UFC has been a tremendous collaborator over the years, and we are delighted for the organization to represent our latest installment within DraftKings’ burgeoning Reignmakers gamified digital collectibles franchise,” said Beth Beiriger, SVP of Product Operations for DraftKings Marketplace. “Fight fans are already among the most engaged audiences, and we see these immersive technologies as bolstering the unique sports entertainment ecosystem we provide for consumers while also rewarding their undeniable passion.” Already UFC’s first-ever “Official Sportsbook and Daily Fantasy Partner” in the United States and Canada, DraftKings now extends the collaboration between these leading organizations into blockchain and intends to merge collectability with event-based benefits. The exclusive Reignmakers UFC game is in development now, and at launch it will include familiar features and functionality related to missions, achievements, level-ups, leaderboards and other underlying game mechanics. In the meantime, the inaugural collection of fighter NFTs will provide collectors with timely digital and physical rewards tied to corresponding UF...