From e-commerce to education, manufacturing and real estate, blockchain technology is transforming the way many sectors operate. Through the tokenization of assets, blockchain is providing a new level of security and transparency in competitive industries. This emerging trend of blockchain-based social tokens have inspired celebrities and athletes to rethink how they engage with their fan-base.
Athletes are now creating their own digital tokens to represent their teams and interact with their audience in various ways. In this article, we’ll explore what social tokens are and the potential benefits they can offer.
What are Social Tokens?
Social tokens are digital assets that can be divided and exchanged with one another without losing their intrinsic value. Players and athletes can give them to fans in exchange for their support of a team or individual athlete. These tokens can then be used to redeem benefits such as discounts, early access to tickets, or other exclusive offers and fan experiences.
How do Social Tokens work?
Digital assets are bought and sold on decentralized platforms, such as Ethereum. When a fan buys a token, they become a valuable stakeholder in the team or athlete’s success. Fans can vote on team decisions using these tokens, such as which players to sign or trade. They can also be used to purchase merchandise or tickets or to donate to causes. Token holders can also receive VIP treatment at events, such as private meet-and-greets or behind-the-scenes tours.
How do Social Tokens Benefit Sports?
There are several ways in which social tokens could be used in sports. Let’s look at a few of the most promising use cases:
Fan Engagement
Social tokens could also increase fan engagement by allowing fans to vote on various matters and aspects of their favorite team’s operations. For example, PSG allowed fans with social tokens to vote on the cover of the fan edition for the FIFA 22 game. This could extend far beyond to offering dedicated fans the ability to vote on which players should start in upcoming games or just what songs should be played during breaks in the action. Also, the membership clubs could use them to reward fans for sharing match highlights on social media or attending live games.
Loyalty Programs
Social tokens could be used to create loyalty programs that would reward fans for their continued support. For example, a team could issue its own token that fans could earn by attending games, purchasing team merchandise. Or engaging with the team on social media. Fans can also redeem these tokens for exclusive experiences such as meet-and-greets with players or access to sold-out games.
Athlete Incentives
Social tokens could also incentivize athletes to adopt healthy behaviors off the field. For instance, an organization could give players bonuses in the form of tokens for working out regularly, eating healthy meals, and getting adequate sleep. Moreover, players can also redeem it for cash and other rewards. For example, UCLA basketball player Jaylen Clark released his very own token called $JROCK. Holders of his social token get early access to tickets, merchandise, and more.
Fundraising
One of the main benefits of these tokens is that they are easy to use. For example, instead of asking for donations, a sports team could offer them in exchange for contributions. This would make it much easier for fans to support their favorite team. All without having to worry about the complexities of traditional fundraising.
Transparency and Governance
One of the key advantages of social tokens is the increased transparency and good governance they can promote within a team or sport. A team can also use tokens to track the performance of a team or athlete and the financial well-being of a sport. This information can help make informed decisions about how a team or sport is run.
In addition, tokens can also give fans a greater say in how their team or sport is run. For example, fans could also use tokens to vote on decisions such as team selection or major rule changes.
Increased Reach and Visibility
Another potential benefit of social tokens is the increased reach and visibility that they can provide for a team. Tokens can promote a sport to a wider audience and generate interest and excitement among potential fans. The tokens can also be used to gain insights into the preferences and behaviors of fans, which can help tailor the content and experiences that a team or sport offers.
Social Tokens in Sports: The Benefits are Clear
While social tokens are still in their early stages of adoption, fans and teams are embracing the new technology and early indications show that they will continue to play an important role in sports, whether it’s through fan engagement or team motivation. The potential benefits of these tokens are clear and something that teams and leagues should consider when looking for ways to improve the overall fan experience.
These are just some of the many ways in which blockchain technology are being implemented by athletes and sports organizations. For more information on how Blockchain technology is transforming other sectors, please visit our blog.
About Peerplays
We are dedicated to empowering people’s freedom to create greater outcomes, giving them control over how they own and collaborate worldwide. The core foundation for Peerplays success in 2023 relies primarily on the release and promotion of mechanisms incorporating decentralized ID, gamification, and ‘handshake’ like onboarding that is easily accessible to people who use smartphones. At Peerplays, we are on a mission to revolutionize the world of blockchain technology and empower individuals with the freedom to take control of their digital lives. To achieve this ambitious goal, we are constantly on the lookout for the most talented individuals who share our passion for innovation and our commitment to decentralization. If you believe in the transformative potential of blockchain technology and are eager to contribute your skills and expertise to this groundbreaking project, we want to hear from you.
