LOS ANGELES -- Fans are looking for ways to remember Kobe Bryant. This week, Bryant's birthday is Monday. Then comes the date on the calendar to commemorate his No. 8 and No. 24 uniforms Tuesday Aug. 24, 2018 -- A blockchain company has discovered a way to honor Mamba forever.
Cryptograph, a digital collectors company, has published a series eight never-before seen photographs of Bryant as nonfungible tokens. This is an increasingly popular investment option, especially for collectors looking for unique digital properties.
Tommy Alastra, co-founder of Cryptograph, stated that NFTs could immortalize and eternalize.
You can also donate to charitable causes. According to Alastra, all proceeds from the sale of the "KOBE” collection of NFTs will be donated to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.
Bryant was in his 20s when he posed for black-and-white photos during a shoot for a magazine with Davis Factor. The shoot was held in an abandoned warehouse in downtown Los Angeles. Bryant is seen in a variety outfits while posing for the camera.
Alastra stated, "This shoot was special because you don’t see him wearing a jersey." He's Kobe Bean Bryant. The father, the son and the husband are all visible. This is just him in every day Kobe. It's something special. It's special. They are truly stunning."
Alastra is an actor and producer who co-founded Cryptograph last year along with Hugo McDonaugh. He has been a friend of Factor for many years. Alastra met the photographer recently to review Factor’s personal book project. Alastra claims he "stumbled upon" Bryant series, which had been in Factor’s archives for over 20 years.
Alastra said, "I was like, "Hey, man! This is a great party!" "In two months, it will be national Kobe day [on August 24]. This could be a huge opportunity for you.
Factor, a Lakers season ticket holder and the great grandson of Max Factor cosmetics icon, was open to the idea as long as 100% of the sales went towards charity. Alastra enthusiastically agreed.
Alastra said that although we are a for profit company, we ensure that Cryptographs are anchored in charity. She has worked previously with Ashton Kutcher and Jason Momoa to create NFTs with a charitable component. "So, we have made sure that charities receive a portion of the revenues at the partnership level.
Alastra stated that Cryptograph had been in touch Bryant's camp but it is not an official partnership. He hopes that the eight NFTs will continue to raise funds for the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation in perpetuity. Cryptograph will also donate its secondary sales proceeds.
Alastra stated, "We set our royalty rates at 10% or 20%." "So 100% of the 10 or 20 percent -- whatever secondary royalty standard we choose -- will go directly to the organization."
These images were all named with different emotions Davis gave Bryant for each pose. They range from "Easy" and "Style" to, even "Sexy" when Bryant is seen lying down unbuttoned.
Factor stated that he was the most focused, determined and smart, beautiful, athlete I have ever worked with. This shoot is unique because it was one of his first fashion shoots. These photographs are amazing because they reveal a side to Kobe you might not normally see. He was young at the time and ready to play.
The NFTs went up for auction on Tuesday at 10 a.m. PST and will be available for bidding online on Cryptograph's website for 72 hour.
