World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has teamed up with Panini Blockchain, the non-fungible token (NFT) platform of Panini, known globally for stickers and albums, to introduce NFT trading cards featuring renowned WWE superstars.
Announced via a press release on February 15, the digital cards highlight over 100 WWE legends such as John Cena, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Roman Reigns, Finn Balor, and Damian Priest, among others.
These cards are available in packs labeled as “DonrussElite WWE,” each containing four cards. Apart from purchasing them, collectors can engage in challenges to gain cards not found in packs and take part in digital crafting events to turn common cards into numbered exclusive ones.
This collaboration isn’t WWE’s initial venture into Web3. In 2021, WWE launched a series of NFTs featuring the renowned wrestler and actor John Cena. In 2022, the company filed multiple trademark applications indicating its interest in entering the metaverse and offering NFTs.
NFTs have gained considerable popularity within the sports industry since their inception. Many sports organizations, teams, and players across football, tennis, basketball, and other sports have explored emerging technologies, with some experiencing significant success in terms of fan engagement and sales.
A notable instance occurred during the recent Super Bowl week when NFT sales on the NFL-focused platform, NFL All Day, experienced significant growth. Reportedly, a Tom Brady NFT was sold for over $40,000, while an Aaron Rodgers NFT fetched $34,000.
Projections for the future are also optimistic. Market Decipher’s data indicates that sports NFTs are poised to generate $41.6 billion in revenue by 2032.
