FC Barcelona, the renowned European football franchise, has joined forces with non-fungible token (NFT) collection World of Women to unveil the second installment in their highly anticipated “Masterpiece” collection. The forthcoming digital collectible, titled “Empowerment,” is a one-of-a-kind creation by acclaimed artist Rhi Madeline from World of Women. The NFT will be up for auction on the popular marketplace OpenSea from June 26 to June 28.
“Empowerment” draws inspiration from the incredible performance of Spanish soccer player Alexia Putellas, who played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s victory against German team Wolfsburg in the Women’s Champion League semi-final match held in April 2022. This NFT serves as a tribute to the historic triumph, witnessed by nearly 92,000 viewers, and showcases the strength and determination of the Spanish football team.
Expressing her pride, Putellas said in a press release, “I’m proud to be part of a club like FC Barcelona and to continue making history. This new Masterpiece allows me the privilege of being part of something that represents everyone and embodies the essence of Barça.”
The collaboration between FC Barcelona and World of Women reinforces the latter’s commitment to empowering women and non-binary individuals within the Web3 space and beyond. Diana-Luk Ye, Web3 Partnerships and Marketing Manager at World of Women, highlighted the importance of representation and expressed their enthusiasm for honoring Alexia Putellas through the Masterpiece collection.
We are still addressing the issue of representation, and with Masterpiece number two, which pays tribute to Alexia, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and ambition that contribute to success. This collaboration further supports our mission.
Diana-Luk Ye
In addition to owning the unique Empowerment NFT, the winning bidder will be entitled to an array of exclusive FC Barcelona benefits. These include the opportunity to meet Alexia Putellas in person, a pair of signed soccer cleats, a physical chair from Barcelona Stadium Spotify Camp Nou, and a signed portrait of Putellas by artist Oscar Tusquets.
This announcement follows FC Barcelona’s debut NFT in the Masterpiece collection, “In a Way, Immortal,” which paid homage to the late football legend Johann Cruyff while honoring the club’s rich history, players, and passionate fan base. Notably, the NFT attracted significant attention, with auction house Sotheby’s acquiring it for an impressive sum of nearly $700,000.
The realm of soccer is not the only domain exploring the potential of NFTs. The English Premier League (EPL), considered the most-watched sports league globally, has also set its sights on the digital asset realm. The league recently filed two NFT and crypto trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). These trademarks cover various aspects, including the creation and sale of digital assets, media files verified by NFTs, virtual clothing, and even trademarks in augmented, mixed, and virtual reality software.
As the NFT sector cools down after experiencing significant hype, collaborations between prominent football clubs and NFT platforms continue to provide a glimpse into the evolving landscape of digital collectibles. The partnerships not only enable clubs to engage with their fan bases in novel ways but also contribute to the empowerment and representation of underrepresented groups, fostering inclusivity within the Web3 space.
With the release of the “Empowerment” NFT and other similar initiatives, the intersection of sports, art, and blockchain technology offers a promising avenue for creativity, fan engagement, and community building, setting the stage for further exploration and innovation within the NFT ecosystem.
