MotoGP race team Gresini Racing is embracing the decentralized ownership model through a new program that allows fans to purchase personal team sponsorship packages. This initiative, developed in collaboration with MotoGP Guru and Animoca Brands’ subsidiary SPORTPASS, marks a significant shift towards involving fans more directly in the sponsorship and operation of a professional racing team.
Key Details of the Program
- Sponsorship Packages: Fans can purchase personal sponsorship packages starting at 125 euros.
- Incentives: The packages offer various perks, including VIP Paddock Experiences at the 2024 Grand Prix events, name placement on the bikes and team websites, exclusive events, Zoom calls with team members, custom merchandise, and the chance to win a Ducati Panigale V4S used by Marc Marquez.
Challenges and Market Fit
Graeme Warring, the Founder of WePlay Media, highlighted the challenge of selling the sponsorship packages and finding the right market fit for this novel approach. WePlay Media, the gaming studio behind MotoGP Guru, has developed the organizational infrastructure and on-the-ground teams to enhance real-life experiences for fans.
Decentralization and Fan Involvement
The program’s design allows a broader and more diverse audience to participate in team sponsorship at a fraction of the usual cost, thus promoting decentralization. Warring emphasized that the initiative could decentralize the ownership of MotoGP teams, giving fans a more significant role in the teams’ activities and decisions.
Future Impact on Professional Sports
Warring expressed optimism about the potential of decentralization to level the playing field in professional sports, allowing more direct fan involvement and ownership. The program could serve as a model for how decentralized principles can be applied to sports sponsorship and management, potentially transforming the industry.
Conclusion
Gresini Racing’s new fan sponsorship program represents an innovative step towards integrating blockchain technology and decentralized ownership in professional sports. By enabling fans to take a more active role in team sponsorship, the program not only enhances fan engagement but also sets a precedent for future initiatives in the sports industry.