The Bobby Bonilla Contract Goes Digital: Unlocking New Revenue with Blockchain

Our client, Bobby Bonilla, is a legendary baseball figure. He is celebrated annually on Bobby Bonilla Day (July 1st), when the New York Mets pay him a significant deferred payment as part of a unique contract agreement.

Although Bonilla last played for the Mets in 2001, his deferred salary payments (including accrued interest) continue to be paid every July 1st through 2035. Bobby was looking to leverage this iconic moment to strengthen fan engagement through innovative digital collectibles in the form of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs).

Challenge

The challenge was to utilize emerging technologies like blockchain to create digital collectible NFTs that could enhance the Bobby Bonilla Day experience for fans. The goal was to deliver an engaging, easy-to-use platform that would appeal not only to crypto-native users but also to casual fans unfamiliar with blockchain technology so they could still engage. The platform needed to offer utility, exclusivity, and added value to collectors, while simplifying the purchasing process and ensuring wide accessibility.

Solution

Orion partnered with Bobby Bonilla to launch a series of NFTs, including a digital “1 of 1” version of the famous contract. A frictionless purchasing platform was developed, allowing fans to bid on the digital collectibles directly with credit cards, eliminating the need for a crypto wallet. In addition to the digital assets, exclusive benefits were offered to buyers, such as signed memorabilia, virtual and in-person experiences, and VIP access to Bobby Bonilla Day 2023 to provide further utility and value to the assets. 

The tech stack included WordPress, Adobe XD, Google Analytics, HTML5, and Polygon Matic blockchain. 

Impact

The auction of the “1 of 1” digital collectible NFT version of the contract, combined with physical memorabilia, generated $180,000 in sales—making it one of the highest-selling baseball digital collectibles. This initiative not only brought fans closer to the legacy of Bobby Bonilla Day but also demonstrated how this form of unique collectibles can create meaningful engagement and new revenue streams within the sports industry.