Learfield, a media and technology services provider for inter-collegiate athletics, has teamed up with Recur, a technology company that focuses on branded experiences through digital products, collectibles and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
The collaboration will mean that Learfield will be able to drive the adoption of digital products through Recur’s collegiate NFT platform, NFTU.com, which will go live March 14.
During the multi-year partnership, Recur will work with Learfield’s integrated companies and university partners to deliver commemorative NFT tickets and packages through ticketing, fundraising, marketing, analytics and technology solutions company Paciolan.
The partnership will also focus on the integration of NFTU.com into official athletic websites and apps built by technology platform, Sidearm Sports; licensing administration and management through Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC); NFT category-specific college sports marketing sponsorship with Learfield partner institutions and product development asset creation, and brand-sponsor able NFT offerings.
Cole Gahagan, chief executive of Learfield, said: “Blockchain technology, and specifically NFTs, provide a new and unique way for college fans to demonstrate their school spirit, while delivering exciting opportunities for university and student-athletes alike.
“Beyond Recur’s proven track record of innovation and leadership, what’s been most impressive to witness is their commitment to college sports and the significant investments they’ve made already with many universities. The future of college fandom is here.”
Recur will also work on CLC’s Compass NIL (name, image and likeness) deal management and disclosure platform, which manages individual opt-ins for NFT opportunities that include NIL.
Travor George, co-chief executive of Recur, added: “NFTs immortalise and celebrate our favourite experiences. Our collaboration brings the entire collegiate space together as only Learfield can, across on-campus advertising, ticketing, student-athlete NIL, collegiate indicia, and more.
“Together, we will provide university partners, and their student-athletes, with brand-building opportunities via a unified experience.”
Image: Riley McCullough on Unsplash