The mechanics: In addition to having shares, the platform facilitates direct competition between users based on specific player matchups.
- Daily head-to-head contests pit specific players against each other, such as Jaylen Brown versus Kawhi Leonard.
- Users predict which player will have the best stat line in a winner take all format.
- Thompson aims to deepen fan engagement by encouraging viewers to watch live games to track their investments.
The context: Thompson believes the platform caters to an online culture that wants to monetize its sports knowledge.
- The goal is to give users and hardcore fans a place where they can prove that their insights exceed those of TV analysts and their friends.
- The system uses leaderboards to let users “flex” their basketball IQ and prove they are the “smartest in the room” compared to their peers.
- Thompson argues that modern culture has turned almost everything into a competition or market.
Tristan’s attitude: Beyond speculation, Thompson sees the platform as a reputation engine for the next generation of sports media personalities.
- He envisions top artists using their verifiable track records in the chain to launch independent live streams and build social followings.
- The goal is to allow creators to become “more popular than the guys on ESPN” by proving that they are being exploited in the culture.
Thompson says the desire to compete is innate, but Web3 tools now make it possible for fans to fund it. “Now I think we realize that almost anything can be some form of competition where you can make money off of it and create a market where people can make money,” Thompson said.
