Seattle-Based Start-Up Develops First Women’s Digital Collectible on Open Market

SEATTLE, WA, OCTOBER 2, 2018 – Player Tokens™ today announced a partnership with the U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association (USWNTPA), via REP Worldwide, the USWNTPA’s exclusive group licensing representation agency, for groundbreaking digital collectibles featuring 26 current members of the squad.  At launch, fans will be able to buy tokens individually or in packs featuring three players starting at $3.99. The launch of USWNT Player Tokens marks the first digital collectible featuring female athletes on the retail market.

“There is an untapped market for women’s sports collectibles and we are proud to be trailblazers in partnering with the USWNTPA to develop Player Tokens for each of the current members of the team,” said Kush Parikh, Founder and CEO of Player Tokens. “Our approach to growing the digital collectibles market in women’s soccer is focused on bringing our technology’s value and experiences to the hands of consumers. This partnership gives us the unique opportunity to interact with a diverse and engaged fan base.”

The launch comes as the US Women’s National Team enters the 2018 CONCACAF tournament as the first step in defending their World Cup crown. The USWNTPA becomes the second major partnership with a players association for Player Tokens. In August 2018, Player Tokens launched their first iteration of these revolutionary digital tokens in conjunction with the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) featuring athletes from all 30 MLB teams. The USWNTPA Player Tokens will follow the same format.

“Player Tokens is a new innovative way for our players to connect with our passionate fan base. As we continue to break ground for women’s sports, especially fighting to make progress on the revenue and business side, we felt partnering with a progressive company like Player Tokens was a perfect fit ,” said Meghan Klingenberg, U.S. Women’s National Team World Cup 2015 Champion and REP Worldwide Advisory Board member.

Player Tokens marks the next step in the evolution of collectibles, leveraging the best of the physical and digital worlds. Like physical collectibles, packs can be purchased with a credit card, so fans won’t need to possess any knowledge about crypto currencies. The digital nature of Player Tokens also enables fans to easily share and allow for unique experiences with players.

Every USWNTPA Player Token possesses a unique ID that can be tied back to the blockchain, proving the authenticity, ownership and scarcity of every asset.  This new partnership with USWNTPA is focused on bringing Player Tokens experiences to the players’ fan base – both in-stadium and to the greater soccer communities all over the world.

Fans worldwide can purchase tokens exclusively through the Player Tokens web and mobile sites at www.playertokens.co.

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About Player Tokens

Player Tokens is a sports focused software company that introduces sports fans to the new world of blockchain based digital collectibles, also known as crypto collectibles.  Founded in 2018, Player Tokens launched with an exclusive partnership with the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), wherein it offered users the first in-market athlete collectibles with the likenesses of over 300 current players.  Player Tokens also has an exclusive soccer partnership with the U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association (USWNTPA), making it the first digital collectible where female athletes will be featured prominently.  Player Tokens focuses on making athletes more accessible to fans via their platform, while offering true digital ownership and natural scarcity…which is the future of sports fandom.

About REP Worldwide

Built on a foundation of the NFLPA’s more than 25 years operating a successful sports group licensing program that generates off-field revenue to supplement NFL players’ on-field earnings, REP Worldwide provides group licensing services for athlete-driven sports properties. The NFLPA is the majority shareholder of REP Worldwide and works in collaboration with its founding partners, the U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association (USWNTPA) and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA). Please visit www.repeveryplayer.com for additional information.

ABOUT THE USWNTPA

The USWNTPA serves as a leading advocate for women’s soccer players, pioneering a new era of women’s soccer as a preeminent sport. The primary mission of the USWNTPA is to protect the rights of WNT players and to advance and safeguard the economic and social welfare of all WNT players, both on and off the field. The USWNTPA is committed to raising the level of women’s soccer domestically and continuing to grow the game worldwide.

MEDIA CONTACT

Max Puro

DKC for Player Tokens

Max_Puro@dkcnews.com

U.S. RUGBY PLAYERS ASSOCIATION JOINS REP WORLDWIDE TO BUILD PLAYER-DRIVEN GROUP LICENSING BUSINESS

LAS VEGAS, May 22, 2018 – As rugby continues to grow in popularity among American audiences, REP Worldwide announced today, in conjunction with the 2018 Licensing Expo, that it has added the United States Rugby Players Association (USRPA) as its newest client. The agreement with the USRPA includes both men’s and women’s group player rights.

Launched in 2017 by the NFL Players Association’s (NFLPA) licensing and marketing arm, NFL Players Inc., REP Worldwide (Representing Every Player) is a first-of-its-kind group player representation business offering licensing and brand management services to athlete-driven sports properties.

The USRPA, which is independently governed by the players and includes all rugby athletes who represent U.S. National Teams, has helped accelerate the interest in one of the fastest growing sports in the United States. Interest in rugby and its players is at fever pitch as excitement is building for men’s and women’s competition at the Rugby Sevens World Cup 2018 in San Francisco this July 20-22, the first time a Rugby World Cup has been played on American soil. Members of USA Rugby will also represent the country in the sport’s signature event, the Rugby World Cup in Japan, where the men’s team will first take the pitch on September 26, 2019 against England.

“Timing could not be better for us to welcome this extraordinary group of athletes to the REP Worldwide team,” said Steve Scebelo, president of REP Worldwide. “The tenacity and toughness that rugby players exhibit in the game will be a huge support in building a new group licensing program featuring their likenesses, as this global powerhouse of a sport continues to gain momentum and appeal in the U.S.”

The USRPA joins REP Worldwide’s client roster alongside the U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association, both of which recently announced their first slate of licensed partners. REP Worldwide will provide resources and representation to the USRPA as the organization seeks to build and manage a robust and sustainable group licensing and player-marketing program.

“With rugby on the rise in the U.S., we see significant opportunity for our players to benefit from the type of group licensing and player marketing programs that REP Worldwide can deliver,” said Michael Young, USRPA executive director. “We’re excited to partner with REP Worldwide to put their tremendous expertise to work in support of our elite men and women players.”

As part of the agreement, REP Worldwide will structure and manage USRPA licensing partnerships across merchandise categories including digital, apparel and hardlines. Additionally, REP Worldwide will consult on marketing activation, driving support for players and licensees at retail, as well as develop content opportunities via ACE Media, the NFLPA’s content and production subsidiary.

“Our partnership with REP Worldwide will provide us with meaningful ways to focus on revenue creation on behalf of our members,” said Blaine Scully, USRPA Chairperson and USA Eagles Men’s Captain. “With the sport experiencing considerable growth in the U.S., we see the opportunity that exists for our membership to benefit off the pitch from a strong sports licensing program.”

About United States Rugby Players Association

The USRPA is founded by the players for the players of the U.S. National Teams to promote the highest quality player experience and assist in negotiations and dialogue with USA Rugby. Established in 2016, the organization represents U.S. National Team members in their communication with USA Rugby, while being committed to improving the quality of rugby in the United States, encouraging involvement and promoting interest in rugby at all levels.

About the NFL Players Association

The National Football League Players Association is the union for professional football players in the National Football League. Established in 1956, the NFLPA has a long history of assuring proper recognition and representation of players’ interests. The NFLPA has shown that it will do whatever is necessary to assure that the rights of players are protected—including ceasing to be a union, if necessary, as it did in 1989. In 1993, the NFLPA again was officially recognized as the union representing the players, and negotiated a landmark Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL. The current CBA will govern the sport through 2020.

About NFL Players Inc.

NFL Players Inc., the licensing and marketing arm of the NFLPA, connects businesses to the power of NFL players. NFL Players Inc. creates customized business solutions for partners, through licensing, marketing strategy and player activations. For more information, please visit nflpa.com/players.

About REP Worldwide

Built on a foundation of the NFLPA’s more than 25 years operating a successful sports group licensing program that builds off-field revenue growth that supplements athletes’ on-field earnings, REP Worldwide provides group licensing services for athlete-driven sports properties. The NFLPA is the majority shareholder of REP Worldwide and works in collaboration with its founding partners, the U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association (USWNTPA) and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA). Please visit www.repeveryplayer.com for additional information.

Media Contacts:
Jenna Sobray, 202-572-7458 or jenna.sobray@nflpa.com
Stephanie Martin, BrandForward, 415-565-9234 or stephaniemartin@bfwd.com

U.S. WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM PLAYERS ASSOCIATION SCORES THREE NEW LICENSEES VIA REP WORLDWIDE

LAS VEGAS, May 22, 2018 – In a move to bolster its group licensing program, the U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association (USWNTPA) has signed its first three licensees via REP Worldwide, its group licensing and player-marketing representation agency. Ruffneck Scarves, Strideline and Build-A-Head have agreed to multiyear deals to create player-identified products for a fan base eager to support the U.S. Women’s National Team as its prepares for qualifying competition on the road to the 2019 FIFA World Cup.

“This is great news for players, fans and women’s soccer overall as we head into an exciting year of competition. Adding Ruffneck, Stridleine and Build-A-Head as partners means that we’ll have a variety of licensed products out in the market that represent the incredible passion and support that our fans demonstrate year-round,” said Meghan Klingenberg, US Women’s National Team player and REP Worldwide athlete advisory board member

• As scarves are a primary symbol of support for soccer players and fans, category leader Ruffneck will produce the first officially licensed line of high-quality scarves branded with the images, names and numbers of the U.S. Women’s National Team players.

• Strideline, a leading manufacturer of sports socks featuring player images, will offer fans a new way to show their pride by creating a distinctive line of Women’s National Team player-identified socks as part of its new women’s collection.

• Build-A-Head will give fans a chance to make an oversized statement of support by creating officially licensed Women’s National Team player face cutouts, face heart cutouts, name and number cutouts, cutout keychains and ornaments.

The USWNTPA, which represents the rights of women soccer players on the United States Women’s National Team, features a diverse roster of players and personalities that points to continued excellence of women’s soccer in the U.S.

REP Worldwide (Representing Every Player) launched in November 2017 as a first-of-its-kind group player representation business that offers licensing and brand management services to athlete-driven sports properties. NFL Players Inc., the licensing and marketing arm of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) was joined by founding partners – the U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association. Please visit www.repeveryplayer.com for additional information.

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WNBPA INKS FIRST THREE LICENSEES VIA REP WORLDWIDE

LAS VEGAS, May 22, 2018 – In a giant step forward to further develop its group licensing program, the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) has signed its first three deals via REP Worldwide, the player union’s group licensing representation partner. Strideline, Build-A-Head and Original Retro Brand join the WNBPA licensing business in multiyear deals to create player-branded products and merchandise for the players’ legions of fans.

“Working with REP Worldwide, we are excited to reenergize the women’s basketball community with an assortment of fun new products. Partners like Strideline, Build-A-Head and Original Retro Brand are the perfect fit to launch our licensing program because they have a commitment to the fans, the sport and us, the athletes,” said Nneka Ogwumike of the LA Sparks, president of the WNBPA executive committee and REP Worldwide athlete advisory board member.

Premium sports sock manufacturer Strideline will create a uniquely designed line of WNBA player licensed socks as part of its inaugural women’s collection. Additionally, the Seattle-based company will be providing players a chance to learn about the business and gain important career-building skills through offseason internships as part of a planned WNBPA player internship program.

Fans love to show support for their favorite players – and collecting giant cutout faces of the bright stars of the WNBA is no exception. Build-A-Head will for the first time celebrate the WNBPA’s diverse female athletes by creating a series of high-quality player face cutouts, face heart cutouts, name and number cutouts, as well as cutout keychains and ornaments.

Through its partnership with cutting edge fashion company, Original Retro Brand, WNBA players’ collegiate name and number will be co-branded on vintage tee-shirts, long-sleeved tee-shirts and hoodies. The initial line is planned to include players who attended Connecticut, Delaware, Tennessee, Baylor and Notre Dame.

There is rising excitement and momentum around the members of the WNBPA – which was the first labor union for professional female athletes – following historic levels in attendance, viewership, social media engagement and merchandise sales during the WNBA’s most recent postseason. Season tipoff is May 18, 2018.

REP Worldwide (Representing Every Player) launched in November 2017 as a first-of-its-kind group player representation business that offers licensing and brand management services to athlete-driven sports properties. NFL Players Inc., the licensing and marketing arm of the NFL Players Association was joined by founding partners, the Women’s National Basketball Players Association and the U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association. Please visit www.repeveryplayer.com for additional information.
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