NFTs in Sports | Most Expensive Sports NFTs sold

Before we dive into Sports NFTs, let's understand what are NFTs first. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are cryptographic assets on a blockchain with unique identification codes and metadata that distinguish them from each other. 

Unlike cryptocurrencies, they cannot be traded or exchanged at equivalency. This differs from fungible tokens like cryptocurrencies, which are identical to each other and, therefore, can serve as a medium for commercial transactions.

Why NFTs are the next big thing in the world of sports?

NFTs leverage several blockchain attributes to upscale your sports assets in several ways. Tokenizing sports collectables especially in single units add value to them.

It connects you with your sports idols directly by eliminating the need for intermediaries. They provide an open and transparent market for the fans to connect with their favourites.

NFT marketplaces are arguably the biggest thing in crypto today, with lots of users buying collectables to hold and sell for profit. Sports NFTs trading offers substantial value for money plus potential royalties on secondary sales. 

Deloitte Global, one of the world’s leading audit firms expects that NFTs for sports media will generate more than $2 Billion in 2022.

Most Expensive Sports NFTs sold

The popularity of sports NFTs is increasing daily, as they offer remarkable and seemingly endless possibilities for fan engagement. 

Let's have a look at some of the most expensive sports NFTs sold.

Statue of LeBron — $21.6 Million

This picture of LeBron James was taken on Feb. 1, 2020, by photographer Kimani Okearah who granted the owner exclusive, non-commercial rights to the one available copy of the picture and its raw file.

Check out this NFT on OpenSea.

MLB Champions Brett Gardner  — $21.28 Million

MLB Champions is a blockchain-based simulated baseball game officially licensed by MLB.

This NFT grants you exclusive rights to New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner in the virtual space — meaning his stats.

Michael Jordan sportPunks — $5.06 Million

Some of the most expensive NFTs on the market are from CryptoPunks by Larva Labs. The best way to describe them is 8-bit artwork?

These sportPunks versions are all 1/1 creations, and only 100 of them were made in total.

Check out this NFT on OpenSea.

Rare Diego Maradona 2020-21 — $4.3 Million

Football legend Diego Maradona's death in November 2020 sent the value of his collectibles soaring, including this edition of digital trading cards.

Only 100 blockchains were created for the card, which features a version of Maradona at his final coaching spot for the Argentinian club Gimnasia de la Plata.

Check out this NFT on OpenSea.

Lionel Messi: “The Golden One” — $1.1 Million

A licensed NFT collection called Messiverse was auctioned to the public in August 2021. Famous artist Bosslogic included his 1/1 Messi card named ‘The Golden One’, which had a reserve price of $50,000. However, the card’s price soon rocketed to over $1 million in bids.

While the final sale price is not available for the NFT, we know the last published bid for the card was $1.12 million. This is 161% of the value of the most expensive physical football rookie card ever sold.

Check out this NFT on OpenSea.