Salt Lake City — The Utah Jazz announced today a groundbreaking JAZZXR program that combines the franchise’s first-ever digitally designed Non-Fungible Token (NFT) with access to a unique live experience with Jazz icons.
In addition to the cryptocurrency asset, this first-of-its-kind opportunity blends the digital and real worlds by taking participants into the extended reality of the Jazz locker room with Oculus headsets for a “meet and greet” interaction hosted by Jazz owner Ryan Smith.
“I am ecstatic to be able to offer such a unique and groundbreaking experience for the Utah Jazz fan base and beyond,” Smith says. “This NFT program is our opportunity to show the world that technology is thriving in our state, and we intend to be on the forefront of innovation as we move forward.”
The first Jazz digital NFT collectible will be minted through Ethereum blockchain and available to the public via the www.Rarible.com marketplace from 10 a.m. MT on Tuesday, Sept. 7 through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 15. The sale of the NFTs comes with or without the Oculus virtual reality headsets. Only 30 NFTs will be available in this initial offering.
This is the first drop in a series of NFT collectibles from the Jazz, who are among a select group of NBA teams to mint and release their own NFTs. A portion of the proceeds from the 2021-22 Jazz NFT program will benefit non-profit organizations in Utah.
A microsite for JAZZXR, which stands for extended reality and describes the technologies related to augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality, has been launched at https://nba.com/jazz/nft.
The creation of a virtually shared Jazz locker room is a first in the sports industry. The experience has been envisioned by creative director Krista Kim and originated by virtual reality artist Michael Potts. NFT owners will gain access to a room that mirrors the actual locker room at Vivint Arena but has a virtually enhanced physical reality with bold colors, surprise elements, and an insider’s view.
Kim, a contemporary artist and founder of the Techism movement since 2014, created the first digital home in the world, known as Mars House, that sold on the NFT marketplace. She is a leader in the crypto-creative field as NFTs become a new genre in the art sphere. Potts, CEO of M2 Studio, is a highly regarded participant in immersive technology and creator of real-world architecture in the metaverse.
“The metaverse will be an extension of community engagement for all sports teams, brands, and organizations,” Kim says. “It’s exciting to collaborate with metaverse architect Michael Potts and his team to create the new Utah Jazz metaverse locker room, and we are the first to add metaverse community engagement that is unlocked through Jazz genesis NFTs. Community engagement in the metaverse is our new reality and this new generation of NFTs makes it possible.”
The JAZZXR program will use the latest in blockchain technology to create assets that are unique and connected to innovative experiences in a fun environment. The virtual experience is hosted on the platform Spatial. All the participants will have lifelike avatars, including a host Jazz character, who will transport people from the basketball court to the locker room for real-time conversations and virtual interaction.