In sports gaming, there's a meaningful difference between slapping a player's name on promotional materials versus actually embedding them into gameplay. With digital collectibles tied to real athletes, fans get genuine ownership of in-game assets representing their favorite legends. The mechanics work differently—players appear as authentic characters you can acquire and use, not just cosmetic additions that vanish after a campaign ends. This approach creates sustainable engagement beyond seasonal drops or limited-time events. When digital assets maintain value and utility throughout the game's lifecycle, it transforms how players interact with their sports heroes and builds a more connected ecosystem.