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Nick DePaulaESPN
To celebrate his 34th birthday, Stephen Curry surprised thousands of owners of his first NFT collection with a new birthday cake-themed NFT in their crypto wallets on Monday afternoon.
Just three days after his record-breaking game at Madison Square Garden in December, in which Curry set the NBA’s all-time 3-point record with 2,974 made field goals from distance, Curry launched his very first NFT collection.
“The 2,974 Collection” featured a series of individually numbered NFTs offered through the FTX platform, with each NFT highlighting a specific made 3-pointer and game date from throughout his 12-year career.
“This surprise NFT drop gives fans the chance to be a part of this historical moment, and to also continue this journey with me because this ride is far from over,” Curry said at the time.
Stephen Curry is surprising @2974Collection #NFT owners with a bonus Birthday Cake NFT tomorrow on his 34th birthday.
ALL holders with a 3-point NFT from a Curry birthday game will also receive an all expenses paid trip to SF to a Curry meet & greet courtesy of @FTX_Official. 👀 pic.twitter.com/26tElfx6PG
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) March 13, 2022
While alluding to future gifting and experiential moments for owners at the time, the additional birthday cake NFT appearing in user’s crypto wallets Monday is just one component of the birthday reveal.
Of the 2,974 NFTs in the total collection, 28 3-pointers made throughout Curry’s career happened during a game taking place on his birthday. Owners of those specific shot moments, like the #2671 NFT celebrating last year’s March 14 game, will be receiving an all-expenses-paid trip to San Francisco this year, curated and courtesy of FTX, to a special meet-and-greet experience with Curry.
While several athletes continue to activate in the metaverse and NFT space, incorporating the physical visit to San Francisco for holders provides a way in which fans can connect with Curry in both a digital and real-world application.
One year anniversary of this game tomorrow 😉 https://t.co/0GLc8WCEqn
— The 2974 Collection (@2974Collection) March 13, 2022
All along, Curry planned to donate 100% of the revenue generated from the sale of each NFT to the Eat.Learn.Play Foundation that he and his wife Ayesha Curry have helmed together. Selling out in less than 5 minutes on its Dec. 17 launch, the 2,974 Collection generated more than $2.1 million in funds for their foundation.
A separate, sneaker-themed Curry Brand NFT series launch of five NFT variations of the Curry 9 sneaker worn during his record-breaking game generated $990,000 for the foundation.
While the NFT integration Monday looks to celebrate Curry’s past performances on his birthday, Curry is set to play in his seventh birthday game later this evening, as the Warriors, with Draymond Green returning, are set to host the Washington Wizards at Chase Center.
In six prior birthday game appearances, Curry has averaged 26.5 points per game on 48.7% shooting from the field and 52.5% shooting from beyond the arc.