Major League Baseball (MLB), MLB Players, Inc. and Sorare today announced a partnership to launch Major League Baseball’s first free NFT-based game, set to launch this summer.
For all things MLB x Sorare, sign up here: https://t.co/JBCk7UehcQ
— Sorare (@Sorare) May 12, 2022
What will this partnership be about?
As MLB’s official NFT baseball game partner, this partnership with Sorare gives fans a platform to celebrate, share and own their passion for MLB through gaming. For Sorare, the inventors of the NFT gaming category, this partnership expands their unique concept beyond soccer for the first time, to America’s national pastime.
Name a more iconic duo.. I’ll wait. 🤩 https://t.co/ePNUSdJFbl
— SorareMLB (@SorareMLB) May 12, 2022
“The connection between Americans and baseball is enduring. And baseball has always been at the forefront of new technologies and innovations, so we are proud that MLB and the MLBPA have chosen Sorare to bring an MLB NFT game to fans around the world,” said Nicolas Julia, co-founder and CEO of Sorare. “MLB has been at the forefront of interactive gaming for decades, while baseball has some of the oldest and most established forms of sports memorabilia. Together they demonstrate how much fans want to own and be a part of the game. Today, as digital engagement and technology evolve for a new generation, our partnership will help a new and broader fan base connect with America’s pastime.”
The goal of Sorare’s MLB Game is for fans to create the best team of NFTs representing Major League Baseball players and connect with the athletes, clubs and league even more during the live baseball game experience. More details of the game will be announced closer to the product launch this summer.
“The connections we build with our fans are vital and Sorare understands the importance of that bond,” said Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. “The company’s focus on transforming fandom through an innovative combination of sports, technology and gaming to allow fans to truly own a part of the game they love is unique and goes beyond borders – allowing us to bring the love of baseball to more fans around the world.”
Since its inception, Sorare has developed an experience that goes beyond simply collecting NFTs; it creates a unique gaming experience for fans that brings them closer to the teams, leagues and players they love. Combining digital assets with free-to-play games, Sorare is designing an experience where fans can manage their favorite players, hone their passion and earn weekly rewards by unlocking the utility of NFTs.
.@ryanspoon joined us on MLB Central to discuss the launch of @SorareMLB, the first @MLB NFT-based free-to-play-game! pic.twitter.com/thS9tliyM1
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) May 12, 2022
The Sorare MLB NFT game will introduce a new way to interact with baseball, creating an opportunity for the league to attract new fans globally and to introduce existing baseball fans to Sorare’s community of 1.8M registered users in 185 countries.
The company has experienced explosive 32% month-over-month active user growth over the past 12 months and expects to further grow its young, digitally native audience in the U.S. with MLB.
“Sorare has built a new baseball gaming experience that will excite fans around collecting NFTs from players, building winning lineups and competing against baseball fans from around the world,” said Tony Clark, Executive Director of the Major League Baseball Players Association. “We are very excited about our partnership and the effect Sorare’s first foray into North American sports will have on the growth of our game globally.”
OneTeam, the MLBPA’s group player licensing partner, facilitated the agreement. “We are proud to have collaborated with visionary partners in Sorare, who have reimagined the fan experience through their NFT-based games. The partnership will bring fans even closer to the extraordinary MLB players they admire as we explore new ways to play and collect,” said Henry Lowenfels, OneTeam’s Chief Product Officer.
The exclusive MLB NFT game will launch this summer. For more information, visit sorare.com/MLB.
About Major League Baseball (MLB)
Major League Baseball (MLB) is America’s most storied professional sports league and is comprised of 30 member clubs in the United States and Canada, representing the highest level of professional baseball. Led by Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr., MLB remains committed to making an impact on communities in the United States, Canada and around the world, perpetuating the broader role of sports in society and permeating every facet of baseball’s business, marketing, community relations and social responsibility efforts. Today, MLB features record levels of competitive balance and continues to expand its global reach through programming and content for fans around the world. With the continued success of MLB Network and MLB’s digital platforms, MLB continues to find innovative ways for its fans to enjoy America’s National Pastime and a truly global game.
About MLB Players, Inc.
MLB Players, Inc. is the marketing arm of the Major League Baseball Players Association. The Major League Baseball Players Association is the collective bargaining representative of all professional baseball players on all 30 Major League Baseball teams and serves as the exclusive group licensing agent for business and licensing activities involving active Major League Baseball players. On behalf of its members, it operates the Players Choice licensing program and the Players Choice Awards, which benefit those in need through the Major League Baseball Players Trust, a charitable foundation established and run entirely by Major League Baseball players.
About Sorare
Founded in 2018, Sorare was created by sports fans for sports fans. Sorare is transforming online sports fandom and giving its community a new way to connect with the clubs and players they love through free NFT sports games. As of March 2022, the game had 370,000 monthly active users in 185 countries. Headquartered in New York and Paris, Sorare is funded by a world-class team that includes Benchmark, Accel Partners, Softbank and athletes and business angels such as Serena Williams, Alexis Ohanian and Gary Vayernchuck.
Contacts
Major League Baseball
David Hochman
(212) 931-7878
David.Hochman@mlb.com
MLB Players, Inc.
Silvia Alvarez,
(646) 285-1819,
salvarez@mlbpa.org
Sorare
Kathryn Bakaly
(301) 512-4171
sorare@thehatchagency.com