- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,200,562
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
Meet MatchWornShirt, the official digital auction partner of the Chicago Bulls originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
For sports fans, memorabilia has always been about proximity to the moment—owning something that was actually part of the action, not just inspired by it. MatchWornShirt is built entirely around that idea, and now the platform is bringing its game-worn model to the NBA through a new partnership with one of basketball’s most recognizable franchises.
MatchWornShirt has signed a multi-year agreement to become the Official Digital Auction Partner of the Chicago Bulls, marking the company’s first NBA deal and a major step into the U.S. market. Through the partnership, fans can bid on Bulls game-worn jerseys, warm-up gear, and select game-used items, with auctions running in real time as games unfold.
MORE: Deontay Wilder lands role in 50 Cent-produced crime drama
The platform is already well known among global soccer fans, having hosted auctions tied to elite clubs and players across Europe. Its NBA debut follows years of refining a system that blends live bidding, rapid fulfillment, and digital authentication. Auctions for Bulls jerseys begin at tip-off, allowing collectors to track items as they are worn on the court, then shipped shortly after the final buzzer in premium packaging.
According to MatchWornShirt founder Bob Zonderwijk, the Bulls were a natural entry point for expansion in the U.S. “The USA is the most developed collector market in the world, so it’s only natural to expand to the U.S.,” Zonderwijk said to Brandon 'Scoop B' Robinson in an interview. He cited the Bulls’ global recognition and merchandising history as key factors, adding that demand for NBA items consistently ranked among the top items when MatchWornShirt surveyed its existing international bidder base.
One of the company’s core goals is accessibility. Rather than limiting auctions to superstar-only items with sky-high price tags, MatchWornShirt structures frequent, team-based auctions that give a wider range of fans a chance to participate. “We offer a regular cadence of team-based events and auctions,” Zonderwijk explained, noting that this approach opens the door for collectors at different price points.
Technology plays a central role in the experience. MatchWornShirt uses its proprietary “Fabricks” system, which embeds an NFC-enabled digital certificate of authenticity directly into each jersey. The chip stores verified game data—such as date, score, and player details—permanently recorded on the blockchain. “All of this information lives forever on the NFC chip and will always be traceable,” Zonderwijk said.
MORE: Graham Norton 'signed so many NDAs' for the impending Travis Kelce-Taylor Swift nuptials
With the Bulls partnership now live, MatchWornShirt is positioning itself at the intersection of live sports, digital verification, and global collecting—bringing fans closer to the game, one jersey at a time.
Continue reading...
