U.S. golf tour PGA TOUR is turning to startup Autograph to develop its own NFT platform and launch digital tokens featuring top players.
On Monday, the PGA TOUR, the premier men’s professional golf tour in the United States, announced a partnership with the NFT company co-founded by famed American soccer player Tom Brady.
PGA TOUR to offer digital collectibles that highlight the world’s most talented golfers
PGA TOUR and Autograph will create an NFT platform that will allow fans to own moments in golf history,” reads an official release.
Autograph plans to launch its PGA Tour NFT in early 2023, leveraging the league’s decades-old resources, including video footage, data and images of current events and past competitions. Autograph’s announcement also indicates rewards for PGA Tour fans, as well as exclusive access to digital and live events.
Patrick Cassidy, Autograph’s marketing director, said the partners are still finalizing the look and feel of NFT. But while the use of video footage may suggest a better shot of the NBA-like approach to digital collectibles, he said he expects something unique from other sports offerings in the space.
Patrick Cassidy said:
Everything we do, we try to build something new in the space. We really think Autograph has the opportunity to pioneer a lot of these things. We’re not trying to do what someone else has already done.
“The PGA TOUR is excited to work with Autograph to offer digital collectibles that highlight the world’s most talented golfers and their role in the history of the sport,” said Len Brown, general counsel of the PGA TOUR.
Earlier this year, Autograph raised $170 million in a Series B funding round led by a16z. Several celebrities, including golfer Tiger Woods, singer The Weeknd, skateboarder Tony Hawk and tennis player Naomi Osaka, have already launched an NFT collection via its platform.
