Queensland Rugby League drops 10,000 NFTs

The first Australian Rugby League metaverse is about to be launched with Queensland Rugby League (QRL) dropping 10,000 NFTs offering exclusive musical and sporting experiences.

QRL has partnered with XXXX, Lion Nathan and MOS Corporation to launch its NFT collection, supported by sporting personalities including former professional rugby league footballer Wally Lewis.

“The NFT launch highlights some of Queensland’s most iconic athletes and personalities coinciding with the much-anticipated State of Origin 2022. Our fan base is continuing to connect with us digitally and this connection is the perfect pathway to reward and engage the Queensland community,” said QRL CEO Rohan Sawyer.

One in two of the first 1000 NFT buyers will win a $200 gift voucher with QRL, and the NFTs will offer experiences including meet and greets, memorabilia, and VIP experiences in sport, music and TV.

According to Ken Lee, managing director at Playcasta, which has partnered with QRL for the NFT drop, “Who knows what buyers could receive, it will be with high anticipation that buyers can expect a wide range of benefits including potentially meeting and hanging out with your favourite sporting icon like Wally Lewis.

“We are highly encouraging those who want to receive the most benefits to register for our pre-release sale of the first 1000 NFTs which will be dropped on the 29th of June but we don’t expect these to last long.”

Among the NFTs in the drop, a set of ‘legendary’ tokens will also be released. The QRL suggests that other iconic Queenslanders including Caeron Munster, Karl Stefanovic and the Stafford brothers have signed up for the release in addition to Wally Lewis.

“Non-Fungible Tokens projects such as ‘The Ultimate Queenslander NFT’ provide a fantastic way for Queenslanders to own an asset that represents them and the community in which they live. Our aim is to build a strong community around this project that will provide value well into the future, said Lee.

“Consumers can choose to buy through traditional secured online payments by using their credit or debit cards or, utilise payment of any of the major cryptocurrencies.”

QRL is set to leverage the NFT program to invest in grassroots community rugby league through their state-wide community program.