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Online gambling companies are always looking for new ways to bet and we have seen the introduction of some interesting games. The son of the Paddy Power founder is set to launch a virtual sport-based stock market based on the NFL and this news will be met with great anticipation in the United States.
This type of format has been tried before in the UK with mixed results. Football Index was a soccer-based stock market game where you could invest in individual soccer players as if they were shares in a company. It was possible to earn dividends on the shares held in the players over a three-year period, mainly based on the performances of the player on the pitch. However, the game failed in the UK and it will be interesting to see how the new NFL stock market game performs in the US.
The first thing to note is that the NFL stock market game was listed for crowdfunding and as of the 9th of May, it had reached 125% of the crowdfunding target. This suggests there is good demand for the game and people are willing to back it by investing money to get the game up and running.
Not only will the game feature shares in NFL players, but there will also be shares available in NFL teams, which will be particularly enticing to fans. At the time of writing, the website for the game is accepting test players as they aim to finalise the product before a full launch ahead of the new NFL season. Paddy Power have been in discussion with several NFL teams in the hope of getting them onboard in some way before the game goes live.
Interestingly, there will three options available for those wanting to play the game. A real money game will be on offer for serious players and, as the name suggests, you have to use your own funds to purchase the shares. This can lead to a profit or a loss depending on the performance of your chosen NFL stars. A second option is to play using virtual currency, with the chance to play for free and without any commitment also available for casual players.
The stock market game will not only be based on the NFL but also other top American sports leagues. Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball have been approached as potential partners along with Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League. Additional partnerships are believed to be in the offing, including one with online sports streaming service, DAZN. The Commercial Director at Racing Post, Mike Griffin, has been announced as the CEO and other leading positions have been filled by former employees and executives of Paddy Power, all of whom have great experience of the online gambling world.
There will be a great deal of interest in the prices of the players when the list is first published. Tom Brady will be out to defend the Super Bowl title with Tampa Bay Buccaneers and despite being 43 years of age, the legend is sure to attract plenty of interest. However, Brady may not have many years left in the game and that must be considered depending on the length of time you would need for good returns. On the other end of the scale, we have Trevor Lawrence, the first pick in round one of the 2021 NFL draft. The young quarter-back has joined the Jacksonville Jaguars from Clemson and has the ability to start immediately, making him an interesting prospect in the game, especially as he may not be as highly priced as some of the other assets. There are certainly going to be plenty of decisions to make when playing the NFL stock market game.
For those who have dreamt of having a stake in their favourite football team or NFL player, that dream is soon to become reality. This game could change the face of sports gambling in the US and introduce new ways to wager on the NFL and other leading sports leagues.
