THREE OF INDIA’S BIGGEST CRICKET TEAMS JOIN SOCIOS.COM NETWORK

Three of the Indian Premier League’s biggest cricket teams are partnering with blockchain-based fan engagement platform Socios.com.

Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders are teaming up with Chiliz, creator of the Chiliz Blockchain and Socios.com, to explore common blockchain and digital initiatives to improve fan engagement. 

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a Twenty20 cricket league involving teams from eight Indian cities. With a brand value in excess of $6.5B USD, it is one of the world’s most popular sports leagues. 

However, the current T20 season has been suspended due to the COVID-19 crisis ravaging India, and with no sign of the crisis easing enough to allow games for the foreseeable future, the teams and Socios.com are looking to technology to help maintain and drive fan engagement. 

Venky Mysore, CEO & MD of Kolkata Knight Riders, commented: “The suspension of IPL was an unfortunate, but very much a necessary step to protect the safety of the players. We were keen to look at new ways of enhancing and optimizing how we engage with our fans, and Socios.com seemed like the right fit. Socios.com has already proven what a powerful tool it can be for fan engagement with some of the biggest sporting organisations in the world. Kolkata Knight Riders is honoured to be among the first IPL teams to forge a partnership with them and we’re excited to begin exploring all the possibilities this new partnership offers.”

Alexandre Dreyfus, CEO of Chiliz and Socios.com added: “The suspension of the league was a vital step in the fight against COVID-19 in India, but Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders all see this period of on-field inactivity as an opportunity to begin exploring the range of possibilities partnering with Socios.com offers.

“Cricket is the second most popular sport in the world and transitioning passive fans into active fans is essential to its future. I’m very excited by the huge potential of these partnerships and future collaborations in this massive, vibrant market.”

Staying with Socios.com, last week Süper Lig side, Alanyaspor, became the fifth Turkish football club to confirm it would be launching a Fan Token on the platform.

AYO.NEWS says:

Given the sheer popularity of the IPL in both India and abroad, the potential for digital engagement through platforms like Socios.com is clear – especially with the pandemic preventing fans from supporting their teams in the normal ways. However, given the Indian government’s confused and often nonsensical stance towards all things crypto related, it will be interesting to see if the potential of mass NFT adoption sparks any political opposition in the country.