Two former Premier League football players have revealed that they have bought land in the world’s first virtual world focused specifically on sport.
The Sports Metaverse is a concept that looks to combine esports, virtual land sales, and metaverse personal training. Participants can also enjoy online sports betting there, while brands and sports clubs can use it to build fan engagement.
Shaun Wright-Phillips and Jordan Stewart are the two former Premier League stars who have invested in land in the Sports Metaverse.
Wright-Phillips is the son of Arsenal legend Ian Wright. He enjoyed a successful professional career of his own with Manchester City and Chelsea, and also played internationally for the England team.
Jordan Stewart enjoyed a well-travelled career, playing in the Premier League for Leicester City and Watford, and in the Championship with Derby County, Sheffield United and Millwall. He also played for clubs lower down the English league pyramid, such as Coventry City and Nott County. He featured for overseas clubs such as Skoda Xanthi in Greece and San Jose Earthquakes in the USA.
Shaun Wright Philips expressed his excitement about the concept and revealed how he will use the digital land he buys in the Sports Metaverse.
Wright-Phillips on sport’s new frontier
“I’m really excited to be involved in the Sports Metaverse,” said the former England international.
“This is the new frontier when it comes to sports. The metaverse and owning a piece of it is about interaction and co creation – watching live sports with friends all around the world, hanging out with friends, and buying and selling NFTs are some of the things I’m really looking forward to doing here.”
Virtual sports betting fans are sure to be excited by the possibilities that the Sports Metaverse offers.
The Sports Metaverse has been built by SportsIcon, working alongside established industry experts from Sony, Doom, Playstation Home, and Nvidia. Visitors to the Sports Metaversea can trade non-fungible tokens (NFTs), buy virtual land, enjoy interactions with sports stars and celebrities, and visit stadiums.
SportsIcon benefits from backing from figures such as rapper Nas, as well as Dapper Labs and Dapper Labs CEO Roham Gharegozlou. Youtube founder Chad Hurley, Hedera and Reserve Founder Andrew Masanto also back the concept, as does former NBA star Andrew Bogut.
Other sports stars are set to follow the example set by Wright-Phillips and Stewart. Agreements are being finalised with heavy hitters from the worlds of tennis, MMA, basketball, and baseball as well as football.
Amanda Nunes and Romelu Lukaku are set to join other big stars Brazilian MMA fighter Amanda Nunes and Chelsea and Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku are among the names who are eyeing up the possibilities that the concept can provide. There will be a public land sale in the Sports Metaverse in June in which ordinary members of the public can participate.
With virtual stadiums and virtual land available to visit and purchase, the opportunities for virtual football betting and other types of virtual sports are sure to be plentiful.
SportsIcon COO and Co-Founder Alexi Yovanoff is delighted to welcome Wright-Phillips and Stewart on board with the project.
“Both Shaun and Jordan have played at the top of their profession, so it’s an honour to have these athletes join the Sports Metaverse,” he said.
“I still remember the goal that Shaun scored against Manchester United in 2004, and Jordan has had a great career here in the UK and in the USA.
“What strikes me the most about these two is their passion for web3, communities, and the interaction with athletes that the Sports Metaverse will give to consumers.”
