EXCLUSIVE: Scottie Pippen on NFT launch, connecting with fans in a new way, sneakers in video games – Ethereum (ETH/USD), Nike (NYSE:NKE)

Web3 entertainment company Orange comet the collaboration with the NBA legend Scottie Pippen at an NFT collection launch.

Pippen shared with Benzinga his history with NFTs and why he is excited about the launch of his collection.

Get introduced to NFTs: Pippen told Benzinga that he has heard about NFTs for a while and started following the sector in recent months.

“I started researching on Twitter where the Web3 community and my fans helped me learn more,” Pippen said. “From what I saw, I knew there was an opportunity to do something different that would allow me to connect with my fans in a new way.”

Pippen said his children have not become heavily involved in the world of cryptocurrency and NFTs.

“I see them playing video games all the time. They dress up their avatars and I think it’s really cool that they can rock SP33s from the collection. This is the future and it’s something that will only become more popular as time goes on. I love that I can say I was one of the first to do that.”

What are SP33s? Read on.

The Scottie Pippen NFT Collection: On December 20, Pippen and partner Orange Comet launch a collection of 1,000 pieces called “Scottie Pippen SP33.” The NFTs are “unique metawear sneakers” and digital wearables of the future.

On December 20, the coin will be live at 2:00 PM ET for permission list members and 2:30 PM ET for the Public Mint. The NFTs have a coin price of 0.20 Ethereum ETH/USD and on Monday is highlighted on Opensea’s main page.

“I’ve been a sneakerhead for as long as I can remember, so it was an easy decision to create an NFT collection that combines my passion for shoes with my love for the game,” said Pippen.

Several owners will receive additional benefits with the coin with 33 lucky owners receiving physical shoes with Pippen’s autograph, 33 owners awarded $100 sneaker gift cards, two people going on a golf outing with Pippen and one person getting a hometown visit and dinner with Pippen.

All owners of the new NFTs will have digital sneakers that are metaverse and game ready.

Orange comet co-founder and CEO Dave Broome told Benzinga that every product launched by the company aims to deliver creative content in the Web3 and provide real value.

“We think we accomplished that with this Scottie Pippen launch,” Broome said.

Broome said Pippen was one of the greatest NBA players and also had some “pretty sick sneakers over the years.”

“It’s not often you get to collaborate on a project with one of the greatest basketball players of all time. So, just getting your hands on one of the limited pairs of Scottie Pippen NFT sneakers is super special.”

Broome told Benzinga that the 1,000-piece collection contains all unique pieces, and each sneaker is a “unique 1/1.”

“The community and the benefits surrounding a project like this are also crucial for us. Scottie is passionate about Web3 and continues to learn more about blockchain technology. So we feel that fans who buy into the project are going to get a chance to be part of a community with a true legend and icon.”

Broome said the SP33 NFTs have a “pygital” element that combines the digital and the physical. Select people will receive physical shoes as part of the collection, and all are digital sneakers.

“Each sneaker is a game-ready asset. You can flex in mods for GTA, Roblox and more.”

Related link: What is a non-functional token?

About Orange Comet: Pippen praised the team at Orange Comet for setting him up in the Web3 space: “It’s been a fantastic experience working with Dave [Broome] and Orange Comet on the SP33 collection. Dante [Ferrarini] and his talented team have been able to bring my vision to life and truly create something special that I know my fans will love.”

Broome said that when it came to the Web3 sector, we are still early days.

“We’re barely into the first inning — or since we’re talking about Scottie Pippen, I’d say there’s been barely any ‘bounce’ in the NFT world and Web3,” Broome told Benzinga. “Blockchain technology is really changing the game, and we have to remember that the fundamentals behind that technology are incredibly strong.”

Broome believes Orange Comet is one of the companies set for the future of Web3 and can help onboard more people to the space, not just people looking to make a quick buck.

All owners of the Scottie Pippen NFTs will get access to a permission list for an upcoming Orange Comet launch of physical and digital wearables called Corrupted, set for a 2023 launch.

Orange Comet was founded by Broome, Gloria Estefan, Emilio Estefan and Kurt Warner.

Scottie Pippen Legacy: Pippen played in the NBA for 17 seasons, including 12 with the Chicago Bulls. During his time with the Bulls, Pippen helped lead the team to six consecutive NBA championships Michael Jordan. The 1990s Bulls are considered one of the most dominant NBA teams of all time.

Pippen played 1,178 NBA games and averaged 16.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. Pippen was named one of the 50 greatest NBA players of all time and is one of only seven NBA players to reach the 3,000 point, 1,000 rebound and 1,000 assist career milestones in the NBA playoffs.

As a member of Team USA, Pippen won two gold medals in 1992 and 1996. In 2010, Pippen was inducted into the NBA Basketball Hall of Fame.

While playing in the NBA, Pippen had an endorsement deal with apparel and footwear companies Nike Inc NKE.

During an NBA game, player Tyrese Haliburton wore a pair of Nike shoes with his Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT. Benzinga asked Pippen if he would have ever rocked an NFT on his shoes during an NBA game.

“Surely!” Pippen said to Benzinga.

Read next: Exclusive: Tony Stewart on Orange Comet Partnership, NFTs are the next generation of collectibles

Photo: Scottie Pippen, 1995, Chicago Bulls, photo by Lipofsky Basketballphoto.com via Wikimedia Commons