Kieran Maguire issues withering Liverpool verdict as seven-figure news confirmed – ‘fans weren’t having it’
Liverpool have recorded “underwhelming” sales from their NFT sale because their bedrock fans were not interested in the scheme.
So says finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the rollout of the club-branded digital collectable artworks.
As relayed by the Liverpool Echo on Tuesday (5 April), the Merseysiders have confirmed they generated £1.125m in revenue from the NFT sale.
But 95 per cent of the NFTs, which came mainly in the form of cartoon representations of Liverpool players, went unsold.
Liverpool had the potential to raise in excess of £8.5m from the auction, which was conducted by Sotheby’s.
Maguire claims apathy among supporters is to blame for the missed revenue opportunity.
“It was underwhelming,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“This is a resounding raspberry from local Liverpool fans to the opportunity to pay $75 for a cartoon picture that can only be owned digitally.
“The auctioned items where you were guaranteed what you were buying were more successful.
“But the broader sale, which was essential for the equivalent of digital Panini cards, didn’t do well. The fans weren’t having it.
“NFTs are unregulated and highly volatile. You can understand why there is caution around them from fans.
“Spirit of Shankly’s position on them is best described as neutral. There are going to be losers and winners from NFTs, and this is a gamble.”
The LFC Foundation also received 10 per cent of the total cash generated.
Liverpool earned £217.6m in commercial income in the last financial year.
In other news, pundit suggests Liverpool could sign “amazing” Mohamed Salah replacement from Germany after transfer update