The English Premier League (EPL) has filed two cryptocurrency and NFT trademarks in the US, a sign that the world’s most-watched sports league is ready to expand its brand into the digital scene.
The trademarks were filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) last week and were brought to light in a tweet by licensed trademark attorney Michael Kondodis on June 6.
The Premier League is the top level of professional English football, consisting of 20 teams.
Two filings pertain to the US use of trademarks associated with the league, one focused on League name and logo “Lion wearing a crown in three-quarters view” and other About a “Lovers’ Cup trophy” adorned with lions on each handle and a crown on top.
The scope of trademark filing is broad, and covers the creation and sale of NFT-verified digital assets, virtual clothing, cryptocurrencies, and media files. They also include the use of the Premier League trademark in “virtual, augmented and mixed reality software”.
An NFT is a digital asset that represents ownership of media, often digital illustrations, profile pictures or music. They are minted on a public blockchain such as Ethereum or Solana, and each token is unique.
The market for NFTs has grown in recent years as more companies have put their hats in the ring. One of the most notable NFT projects in the sports world is NBA Top Shot, which was launched in 2020. The collection recently surpassed $1 billion in sales. cryptoslam,
While the demand for cryptocurrencies and NFTs has cooled in light of the recent decline in the overall crypto market, selling of NFTs has still at speed to cross $20 billion in volume recorded last year. The place has been a growing area for celebrities, artists and cultural figures to connect with their fans and create a sense of community online.
The application of digital currencies is becoming increasingly common throughout the sporting world, especially in football clubs. Last month, Arsenal announced partnership With Unagi as part of their free to play game where player cards can be purchased as NFT.
The game allows its users to hold player cards as collectibles, sell them on an open market for in-game currency, or trade cards with other players. For fans of football, this could be a sign of what is to come for the Premier League in the future.
Want to become a crypto expert? Get the best of Decrypt straight to your inbox.
Receive the biggest crypto news + weekly roundups and more!