NFT Technologies Inc. (NEO: NFT | Frankfurt: 8LO | OTCQB: NFTFF) ("NFT Tech"), a leading technology company partnering with top-tier brands to accelerate their entry into the world of web3 through innovative technologies and unparalleled creativity, is pleased to announce continued sport innovation and the next phase of the AO ArtBall, a token-gated NFT experience for Tennis Australia.
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AO Artball Complimentary Ground Pass (Photo: Business Wire)
The project, launched for AO22, continues to innovate and push the boundaries of Web3 technology by granting ArtBall holders by granting ArtBall NFT holders access to live sport and entertainment events across both the real and virtual worlds, as well as AO23 Ground Passes and exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences.
Every ArtBall holder will be able to claim a pair of complimentary seven day Ground Passes to finals week of AO23 as part of the ArtBall Ground Pass to live events. Given the 6,776 collection size, this will be the largest release of tickets to an AO membership program in the history of the event.
“As one of the world’s biggest sport and entertainment events, we are always exploring opportunities to innovate, and we’re excited by the additions planned for AO ArtBall 2023. We look forward to welcoming AO ArtBall holders to experience the AO this summer,” said Cedric Cornelis, Chief Commercial Officer Tennis Australia.
There are 6,776 ArtBall holders, making this the largest release of tickets to an AO membership program in the history of the Australian Open. Holders of multiple ArtBalls will be able to claim multiple pairs of Ground Passes based on the quantity they own, capped at 20 tickets.
“We believe we’re delivering what an NFT should be. We’re offering fans truly unique experiences and creating memories that last a lifetime. We don’t believe any other project is offering Grand Slam tickets and the range of member benefits on this scale, to all holders. Whether it’s your first time in Rod Laver Arena, a heightened experience in a virtual world, seeing your favorite player, team, or artist play or learning something new in Web3, it’ll be rewarding,” said Ridley Plummer, Senior Manager Metaverse, NFT’s, Web3 and Cryptocurrency, Tennis Australia.
Existing at the intersection of sport and innovation, AO ArtBalls unlock ways to keep fans in the game – on and off the court. If the winning shot from any of the ~400 AO matches lands on an ArtBall’s corresponding plot, the ArtBall is updated in near real-time to highlight the match information and attach a holographic sticker to the ball casing, showing it’s a Match Point ArtBall.
“Last year we set a new precedent at the intersection of tech, art, tennis, and live data. This year we’re breaking new ground in offering all holders a deeper fan experience. We’ve shifted gears to build out a sustainable membership platform for the future that adds in token-gated experiences as a given, founded on proof of ownership and holder demand,” said Adam De Cata, CEO of NFT Tech.
AO ArtBall was the world’s-first Web3 project to incorporate live match data, and won an Entertainment Cannes Lions award for Sport. “We believe we’re one of the most extensive rewards programs on the blockchain, the experiences on offer to ArtBall holders are truly memorable, unique and accessible,” De Cata added.
What’s new for AO ArtBall 2023
ArtBall Ground Pass
In addition to the pair of AO23 Ground Passes, ArtBall holders will get access to select United Cup matches in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. United Cup is the first mixed teams event for equal points and equal pay, taking place from 29 December through to 8 January.
“AO ArtBall continues to over deliver. Ground Passes to AO23 would be an unforgettable experience for my friends and family. I never expected to be rewarded with so many benefits. Thanks for ArtBall, I already own a rare signed t-shirt autographed by tennis legends, a number of POAPs and wearables in addition to recently attending the Moto GP for the first time with my family,” said Discord member Justice Albatraoz, holder of four ArtBalls.
The ArtBall SuperSight
Artball SuperSight is an exclusive curated experience for AO Art Ball members. Aiming to deepen the fan experience, SuperSight will bring members behind the scenes of AO23. Supersight also offers an exclusive suite of streams and viewing tools for members located anywhere in the world, allowing them to engage with the AO remotely. This includes Player-cams, 3D Stats Explorer and AI personalized match highlights.
All enhanced Match Point experience
Using Chainlink VRF (Verifiable Random Function) technology, all AO22 & AO23 ArtBalls will be randomly allocated a new court position. This unique benefit ensures existing holders, in less desirable locations e.g. under the net, get a fresh opportunity to secure Match Points from their new plot. The ‘23 Match Point experience is set to include 3D match point visualization and digitized match footage.
Expansion of international rewards
2022 saw dedicated holders battle it out in rapid fire trivia to secure exclusive tickets to other Grand Slams including Wimbledon and Roland Garros. Testament to the vast partner network of Tennis Australia, ArtBall members could also access international experiences beyond tennis, including club tickets, stadium tours and signed merchandise from Arsenal and the New York Mets. To ensure international ArtBall holders are kept in the game, the ‘23 collection will see an expansion of international rewards for holders via collaborations with iconic Web3 projects and brands.
“We are close to signing a number of collaborations with some stellar brands, projects and live sport which we are excited to announce in the coming weeks. We’re just getting started,” Plummer added.
“Through a wealth of collaborations with iconic projects and brands announcing in December, we'll provide a range of rewards that compliment the varied interests of our holder base and attract new holders,” De Cata added.
AO Academy
AO Academy, designed to navigate the brave new world of Web3, includes an expanded calendar of conference tickets, meetups and networking events, throughout the year. New for ‘23 is the inclusion of annual ‘Starter memberships’ to crypto education platform Collective Shift providing every holder a suite of tools, expert daily insights and opportunity alerts from research leaders around the globe.
“We’re delighted to announce our collaboration with homegrown educator Collective Shift. We all know how overwhelming starting out in Web3 is. After the penny drop moment comes a voracious appetite to continue learning and collecting more wisely. Offering curated, credible and continuous education means our holders can continue their learning journey on-demand from anywhere,” said Adam De Cata, Run it Wild Founder and NFT Tech CEO.
As the project takes one step further into the metaverse, the addition of token-gated membership experiences form Tennis Australia’s commitment to leveraging blockchain and Web3 technology to engage tennis fans, beyond the AO. Offering the ArtBall Ground Pass to all holders is a bold move in a series of benefits the project is trialing. AO ArtBall is the mastermind of Tennis Australia and web3 studio, Run it Wild, owned by blockchain company NFT Tech.
Where to find out more about AO ArtBall
The genesis AO22 ArtBall collection is a publicly accessible membership giving access to an unprecedented level of member benefits that anyone can purchase via a secondary marketplace e.g. Opensea. Interested collectors need to own a digital wallet such as Metamask and can purchase a ball using Ethereum.
Website: https://ao.artball.io/
Subscribe: https://ao-2023.artball.io/joinus
Opensea: https://opensea.io/collection/ao-art-ball
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AOmetaverse
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/aometaverse
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/aometaverse
About AO Metaverse
Serving a new way to experience sport. AO ArtBall exists at the intersection of sport and innovation, a membership that unlocks a new arena to keep fans in the game – on and off the court. Membership is accessible via AO ArtBall, a collection of 6776 NFTs from the ‘22 collection and 9230 NFTs from ‘23 collection, providing holders with an unprecedented level of tickets from premier tennis, sport, and entertainment events as well as unique rewards from leading Web3 projects, covering both real worlds and virtual worlds. Each ArtBall is linked to a plot on the court. If the winning shot from any of the ~400 AO matches lands on that plot, the ArtBall is updated in near real-time to highlight the match information, provide 3D visualisation of the Match Point and attach a holographic sticker to the ball casing showing it’s a Match Point ArtBall.
About NFT Tech
NFT Tech works to develop infrastructure, assets, real estate and IP in the metaverse, build and generate revenue from web3 games and assets, and bring insights and benefits to the public markets. By bridging the gap between traditional capital markets and the Web3 space, NFT Tech is mainstreaming decentralized ownership, NFTs, and the metaverse.
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Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws with respect to the Company. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by words such as "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements relating to completion of the acquisition of Run It Wild and closing date thereof; benefits realized from the Transaction; expansion of the Company's NFT developments and product offerings; potential benefits and demands for direct-to-consumer NFT projects; potential benefits, development and acceptance of web3 and related applications; continued employment of Run It Wild employees and the value of their experience; plans for accelerating growth; and the continued public acceptance of NFTs. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release including, without limitation, the risk factors described in the Prospectus. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable laws.
No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The Neo Exchange has not reviewed or approved this press release for the adequacy or accuracy of its contents.
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221128005226/en/
Contacts
For RIW press enquiries: sarah@runitwild.com.au
For Tennis Australia press enquiries: carla.alderuccio@tennis.com.au
For NFT Tech: Wayne Lloyd, Executive Chairman, ir@nfttech.com, +1 (604) 800-5838
Email: ir@nfttech.com
Phone: +1 (604) 800-5838
