eBay’s first-ever NFT collection stars record-breaking Canadian field hockey legend Wayne Gretzky
eBay partners with OneOf
Global e-commerce giant eBay today announced the launch of an exclusive NFT series through a strategic partnership with NFT’s green sports, music and lifestyle platform, OneOf.
Calling all collectors, you can score our first exclusive NFT drop brought to you by @OneOfNFT with a @SInow x @WayneGretzky digital collectible. 🏒
Starting at $10, you can get a limited edition NFT along with bragging rights, unless you decide to sell it.#NFT #eBayExclusive
— eBay (@eBay) May 23, 2022
Its first NFT collection, titled “Genesis,” will feature 3D and animated interpretations of iconic athletes who have graced the covers of Sports Illustrated over the years. The first installment stars Canadian field hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, and is available starting today.
The collection includes 13 limited-edition digital collectibles in the form of green, gold, platinum and diamond-level NFTs, with up to 299 editions each at the green level, and 15 editions at the diamond level only. The green level NFT is priced for the common fan, starting at $10.
Guess what?! We’re bringing NFTs to your favorite marketplace! Shop @WayneGretzky x @SInow now available on @eBay! 👀 ➡️https://t.co/oq0jJxFIFC⬅️ #polygon #ebay pic.twitter.com/Bqf67j9YZb
— OneOf (@OneOfNFT) May 23, 2022
Each NFT contains a 3D rendering or animation of Gretzky performing a signature move on the ice. Additional installments of OneOf’s Sports Legends NFT series will be released throughout 2022 in partnership with eBay. The NFT series will include reinterpretations of iconic Sports Illustrated covers.
“Forty years ago, I was grateful to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, it was a monumental moment in my life,” says Wayne Gretzky, Sportsman of the Year. “I am honored to bring this collection experience to my field hockey fans who have followed my career for decades.”
This news of eBay’s first NFT collection comes after the company’s CEO Jamie Ianonne said in February that users are already selling NFTs on the platform. The booming collectibles market has spurred this first collaboration between eBay and OneOf to bring NFTs to the masses.
“We are thrilled to partner with eBay, the world’s largest and most trusted e-commerce platform, to introduce NFTs and the power of blockchain to the eBay enthusiast community through a dynamic and user-friendly experience,” said Lin Dai, CEO of OneOf. “You don’t have to be a cryptocurrency expert to buy, sell and collect NFTs. OneOf and eBay are bringing transformative Web3 technology to the next 100M mass non-crypto-native consumers.”
eBay is not only an e-commerce marketplace, but also has a massive community of collectible card buyers and sellers. Last year it introduced its Price Guide and Trading Card Collection tools, which allow collectors to view, manage and track the value of their trading card portfolios.
It is not known if there will be similar tools for NFT trading cards in the future.
“NFTs and blockchain technology are revolutionizing the collectibles space, and are increasingly seen as an investment opportunity for enthusiasts,” said Dawn Block, eBay’s vice president of Collectibles, Electronics and Home. “Through our partnership with OneOf, eBay is now making coveted NFTs more accessible to a new generation of collectors around the world.”
About eBay
eBay is a global commerce leader that connects people and builds communities to create economic opportunity for all. Our technology enables millions of buyers and sellers in more than 190 marketplaces around the world, offering everyone the opportunity to grow and prosper.
Founded in 1995 in San Jose, California, eBay is one of the world’s largest and most vibrant marketplaces for discovering great value and unique selection. By 2021, eBay enabled more than $87 billion in gross merchandise volume.
About OneOf
Deeply committed to a sustainable blockchain future, OneOf is an NFT platform that supports NFTs on multiple low-power blockchains to create sustainable and friendly experiences for creators and fans. Minting an NFT on OneOf’s platform uses up to over 2 million times less energy than proof-of-work networks, and for its users, purchasing NFTs costs $0 in blockchain gas fees.
OneOf aims to bring the next 100 million non-crypto-native fans to Web3 by eliminating technical frictions and allowing fans to pay for their NFTs with credit/debit cards as well as major cryptocurrencies.
Committed to diversity, over 80% of the collections featured on OneOf are from minority or female creators.
In addition, OneOf donates a portion of the proceeds from each NFT collection to the preferred charity of its artist or athlete partner.
