UPPER DECK UNVEILS EVOLUTION -- A NEW MARKETPLACE FOR AUTHENTIC DIGITAL COLLECTIBLES
Evolution complements Upper Deck’s online platforms for collectors to purchase and
trade collectibles
Authentic Digital Collectibles can be transferred to Upper Deck e-Pack and traded
for physical items, creating an industry-first trading experience
CARLSBAD, CA (April 25, 2023) – Upper Deck, the worldwide leader in sports and entertainment
collectibles, today launched Evolution®, a new online platform featuring Authentic Digital
Collectibles easily browsed and securely purchased by collectors. Authentic Digital
Collectibles bring Upper Deck’s reputation as a premium brand with unparalleled
designs to tokenized digital trading cards and collectibles. The new platform features
what will surely be the most sought-after officially licensed digital collectibles
from the best in sports and entertainment.
“We’re committed to creating new ways for fans to enjoy the art of collecting and
bring home their favorite moments from sports, shows, movies, and more,” said Jason
Masherah, president of Upper Deck. “From e-Pack to Evolution, I couldn’t be prouder
of the progress we’ve made, and to bring Authentic Digital Collectibles to Upper
Deck’s product suite is an exciting accomplishment. As a collector myself, it’s
truly thrilling to be at the forefront of this industry’s continued innovation.”
Within Upper Deck’s digital trading ecosystem, collectors can benefit from a network
of online platforms including: e-Pack® – the platform where collectors can purchase digital
trading card packs and virtually open them online, with the option to obtain the
physical counterpart;
Collect ForeverTM – Collect Forever’s premier collectibles website where
collectors can purchase a wide selection of physical comics and collectibles; and
now Evolution®.
Once an Authentic Digital Collectible is purchased on Evolution, it can remain on
the platform and be traded for other Authentic Digital Collectibles. Alternatively,
it can be transferred to e-Pack and traded for physical items like trading cards,
coins, and memorabilia, in a safe and secure peer-to-peer platform–the first time
that digital collectible items can be traded for physical items and vice versa.
Added Masherah, “It’s no secret that NFTs took the world by storm, but the term
‘non-fungible token’ has many different interpretations. For us, it was important
to continue to carry the industry standard for quality and authenticity that Upper
Deck is known for, which collectors will immediately recognize when opening Authentic
Digital Collectibles on Evolution.”
Upper Deck launches Evolution® with an exclusive assortment of limited-edition Authentic
Digital Collectibles dropping throughout the 2023 Stanley Cup® Playoffs, starting
with 2015-16 Fleer Showcase. Today’s release of Preview Packs gives a sneak peek of three
upcoming Fleer Showcase drops and boasts 25 top players from the original 2015-16
product. Each of the 9,000 packs contain one NHL® and NHLPA licensed NFT trading
card limited to 320 or fewer. Collectors who complete the Base Set can earn an Evolution®
Update Achievement Set featuring Leon Draisaitl, David Pastrnak and Andrei Vasilevskiy,
three current stars not featured in the original set.
Shortly after, Upper Deck will release 2022-23 Hockey Heroes, which will be the
first NHL® and NHLPA licensed weekly product available on Evolution. Each week,
3,000 packs will highlight three top hockey players all with unique visual effects,
starting with Upper Deck spokesman Connor McDavid. Hockey Heroes will feature superstars
like Nathan MacKinnon and Alex Ovechkin and offer exclusive end of year NHL Award
Winner achievements that can be acquired by collecting and completing sets of NFT
trading cards.
“It’s great to be working exclusively with the company that sets the precedent for
innovation and authentication in the sports and entertainment collectible space.
I’m so excited for fans to see these Authentic Digital Collectibles and honored
to be featured in the first Hockey Heroes line” said Connor McDavid, exclusive spokesman
for Upper Deck.
Upper Deck plans to expand Evolution product offerings throughout 2023, adding new
properties and creating even more Authentic Digital Collectibles for collectors’
enjoyment. To learn more and explore Authentic Digital Collectibles available for
purchase, visit
www.collectevo.com.
About Upper Deck
Upper Deck is a global entertainment company creating trading cards, memorabilia,
collectibles, games, and online platforms that deliver the experiences collectors
crave. Upper Deck has set the unmatched industry standard for quality, authenticity,
and innovation and continues to bring generations of fans closer to their favorite
athletes and characters with unique and authentic sports and entertainment product
offerings, as well as its digital trading ecosystem. The company prides itself on
creating collectibles that produce invaluable experiences for sports and entertainment’s
most dedicated and loyal fans, with a goal to deliver excellence to the community
across the most coveted properties as a means to develop memorable moments for collectors
of all kinds.
Find more information at www.upperdeck.com,
www.UpperDeckBlog.com
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