FC Barcelona has sold its very first non-fungible token (NFT) artwork for $693,000 at an auction held in New York. NFTs are digital assets such as an image, videos or anything that can be converted into a digital copy.
Barca’s NFT titled ‘In a Way, Immortal’ is a digital video artwork recreating the moment at Johan Cruyff’s stadium on December 22, 1973, when the player ‘flew’ through the air to score a goal against the club football club Atletico Madrid. To be precise, the auction ended at $550,000. However, with the auctioneer’s fees added to the amount, the total sale was completed for $693,000.
The NFT buyer has also purchased four other NFTs which include “a static image from the animated version which captures an iconic moment of the famous goal,” FC Barcelona wrote in an announcement.
This NFT was produced by the Club in collaboration with BCN Visuals, a strategic innovation partner and Digital Superstudio who developed the cinematic aesthetic of the NFT.
Purchasing the NFT will make the buyer a digital Barca ambassador, giving them the opportunity to enjoy various benefits and VIP experiences with the Club. The club, in a press release, said the buyer will be able to enjoy a number of “money can’t buy” experiences. “FC Barcelona will integrate into the NFT smart contract a set of experiences such as Meet & Greets, visits to La Masia, hospitality rights (for a minimum of five years), the right to play at Spotify Camp Nou and an official handover of the ball before a friendly match,” the club said.
Earlier in 2021, FC Barcelona announced the termination of its agreement with NFT market Ownix, following the arrest of suspected crypto fraudster Moshe Hogeg, a consultant for the NFT market. Hogeg was arrested by police alongside seven others for massive crypto-related fraud. The partnership was supposed to allow fans to purchase NFT for virtual items related to the club’s history.