Is The NBA Preparing To Launch Top Shot?
One of the most frequently repeated lines given by Roham Gharegozlou, CEO of Dapper Labs and NBA Top Shot, during Series 2 was that “we’re in data collection mode.”
In a surprising turn of events, it would appear that the NBA is in data collection mode too.
On Saturday, August 21, 2021, NBA Top Shot collector and Twitter community member RomeNYC slid into my DMs with a juicy, gravity-defying piece of alpha.
The NBA is actively surveying members of their community, through the NBA Fan Forum platform, to collect data on NBA Top Shot and NFTs.
As a member of the Fan Forum, RomeNYC shared a series of screenshots from a survey he recently completed this week.
Based on these 13 survey questions, shared below, I feel confident saying that the NBA is preparing to formally launch NBA Top Shot in the 2021–2022 NBA Season, also known as “Series 3.”
Before any major product is developed, a beta version is shared with early adopters to work out the kinks, push the system to the brink, and identify areas for improvement before a more formal, commercial launch.
Before a formal launch, it’s typical to conduct market research to learn more about a target market, refine messaging, and lay the groundwork for an eventual product roll-out.
It all makes sense, of course, and isn’t necessarily “breaking news.” The NBA Finals, NBA Draft, and NBA Summer League experiences were all an indication that the NBA x NBA Top Shot relationship was just starting to warm up.
Do with this information what you will, but it seems to me like things are about to enter orbit.
For the past few months, many have wondered when Top Shot will “start marketing?”
It seems to me like the real question is when will the NBA start marketing Top Shot?
Based on all the evidence, the answer to both of those questions seems to be very, very soon.
See you at the next pack drop!
