Nikolas Sargeant
On April 22nd, OKX unveiled the project to redesign the team's shirts for minting as digital collectibles, or Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), accessible to fans worldwide through the OKX app. Fans can mint these NFTs from April 22nd to 25th.
Titled 'The Roses and the Bees,' this digital collectible, created by artist Christian Jeffery, pays homage to Manchester by featuring iconic symbols like the Lancashire Rose and the Manchester Worker Bee, emblematic of the city's rich heritage.
Each minted collectible is randomly assigned a rarity level – Classic, Rare, or Ultra Rare. Depending on the rarity, fans stand a chance to win exclusive prizes such as limited-edition physical shirts, hospitality tickets to Manchester City matches, and unique on-pitch experiences.
Nuria Tarré, Manchester City’s Chief Marketing and Fan Experience Officer, emphasized the club's strategic focus on attracting tech-savvy audiences and embracing digital ownership through initiatives like the NFT launch. She underscored the significance of digital ownership in the Web3 era, noting its transformative effect on ownership processes.
Tarré also highlighted Manchester City’s commitment to exploring the potential of Web3 technology through partnerships like OKX, citing the club's venture into Roblox in late 2022. She described Web3 environments as dynamic and progressive, offering avenues for innovation and collaborative creation.
OKX Expands Crypto Lifestyle Brand Through Manchester City Partnership
OKX's aspiration to become the "first crypto lifestyle brand" has been driven by Chief Marketing Officer Haider Rafique's strategic vision. This vision has led the cryptocurrency exchange to secure multimillion-dollar sponsorship agreements with prestigious sports franchises such as the Formula 1 team McLaren and the English Premier League team Manchester City.
Haider Rafique expressed enthusiasm for engaging Manchester City's global fanbase through the collaboration. He highlighted the potential of Web3 technology to enhance fan experiences and stressed the importance of laying the groundwork for utility-based ecosystems, starting with NFTs tied to physical goods.
Established in 2017 and headquartered in the Republic of Seychelles, OKX boasts a substantial global presence, serving over 20 million customers across 180 international markets. The exchange offers trading support for major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ether, Polkadot, and Cardano.
OKX's partnership with Manchester City has seen significant expansion. In July 2022, the cryptocurrency exchange was appointed as the football club’s official training kit partner for the 2022-23 season. Prior to this, in June of the preceding year, OKX secured the position of Manchester City’s official sleeve partner, marking another milestone in the collaboration between the two entities.
