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Cleveland Cavaliers opens up fan experience through virtual lockers

Cleveland Cavaliers, the National Basketball Association (NBA) team, will this weekend launch its new NFT experience platform that brings digital collectibles to ticket holders.

‘My Cavs Locker’ is free and available for Cavs fans to store their NFT (non-fungible token) items. It has been created in conjunction with NFT platform, Sweet.

The locker will act as a virtual showcase and will be unlocked for the first time when the Cavs take on the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. Those with tickets to the game will have access to their first game-exclusive NFT, a ‘Let ‘em Know’ branded T-shirt that can be stored in their digital locker. Other options will be made available to purchase that same day.

This will be the beginning of a series of collectibles made available to fans who attend home games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse throughout the rest of the season.

For those unable to attend the home games, the in-venue-only NFTs may become available on secondary markets.

Mike Conley, Cavaliers senior vice-president and chief information officer, said: “Ultimately, this will be an on-going promotion, not just for the remainder of this season but for upcoming seasons, meaning fans can contribute to build out, curate and showcase their ‘My Cavs Locker’ into the future.

“This offers our supporters a fantastic and fun way to own a digital shrine, showcasing their love for the team. It is also an extension of our commitment to innovate around the fan experience and constantly explore new ways to build deeper connections with those in Cleveland and across the world, who fervently support the team.” 

Sweet chief executive Tom Mizzone added: “What’s remarkable about this program is how accessible it is. All fans will need is their mobile phone to start collecting this digital memorabilia and completing their immersive Cavs experience – their own personal virtual locker. 

“We see this as a model for how teams can use this new digital tech to empower their fans to literally showcase how much they love their favourite franchises.” 

The National Football League (NFL) has also recently announced it will be offering fans that attend the Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles a commemorative ticket in the form of an NFT.

Further digital collectibles connected to the event will also be made available for purchase. 

Images: Cleveland Cavaliers