Peyton and Eli Manning are entering the world of non-fungible tokens with “The Manning Legacy Collection.”
On Wednesday, Peyton and Eli Manning became the latest athletes to announce the launch of a non-fungible token collection. They’ll officially join Peyton’s Super Bowl 50 teammate, Vernon Davis, among the first retired NFL players to make the leap into the crypto memorabilia space.
Earlier this year, Eli’s big brother texted him to ask what he knew about “these NFTs.” Now, the duo is bringing us what they’re calling the Manning Legacy Collection, which will launch on April 16th on digital collectibles platform MakersPlace.
“I think it’s really about telling your story through art,” Eli said of the project via Sportico.
As a couple of famed quarterbacks drafted No. 1 overall and with two Super Bowl rings apiece, the Manning boys have some serious stories to tell. And to capture these epic moments, they’ve teamed up with two exciting artists: Joseph Ari Aloi (a.k.a. JK5) and former MLB second baseman Micah Johnson.
The move was inspired in part by the ongoing sports trading card boom, and an interest in creating a new way to connect with fans. “It’s a way to collect things but a little easier to trade it, and to move it around or to sell it or to showcase it rather than your card sitting in front of you,” Eli said.
As for the collection itself, it’s a family affair . The eight-piece set will include Peyton’s signature “Omaha” pre-snap catchphrase, Eli’s iconic toss that led to David Tyree’s “helmet catch” in Super Bowl XLII, and a collage-style piece featuring their Hall of Fame father, Archie.
But best of all? The proceeds from the collection will go to two charities near and dear to the superstar brothers: Tackle Kids Cancer and the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital.
Via acution, fans will be able to secure both limited- and unlimited-edition formats of each piece. Some biddable items will also include physical artwork, plus a chance to meet the Mannings virtually.
Back in February, Tom Brady’s quarterback coach pointed to the elder Manning brother’s last season in Denver as an inspiration for the 43-year old’s own move to Tampa Bay. Now, with the announcement that TB12 is launching his own NFT venture, Autograph, it appears that Brady and the Manning brothers will be squaring off once again.
And this time, it’s virtual.
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