NBA, WNBA, and college All-American players are teaming up to launch Daps, a new marketplace aiming to reenergize sports fans.

 

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According to a press release sent to AfroTech, fans can access Daps’ roster to jumpstart their exclusive digital experience.

The platform features a lineup of treasured players including Kentucky power forward Lance Ware, Pac 12 Freshman of the Year Jayda Curry, UAB point guard Jordan “Jelly” Walker, and Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga.

Statement from Kuminga: “Daps allows me to interact with fans in a whole new way. When testing the app, I got to feel how easy it is to put a huge smile on a fan’s face and I can’t wait to keep doing more of that,” Kuminga said, according to a press release.

 

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What fans should expect: Daps promises to offer fans the ultimate experience that includes engagements via Instagram comments, special shout-outs, or interactive experiences that includes gaming, video calls, fashion advice, and watching a game live, among others.

Statement from Daps co-founder Jake Klores: “We spent a lot of time speaking with fans and a wide variety of players,” said Klores, exclusively in an email interview. “Through those conversations, it became super clear that the modern generation of sports fans wants to interact with their idols in more exciting ways. Fans are no longer just excited about getting physical autographs from their idols, but now want to interact with them directly – ask questions, play a video game, get a shoutout. So many athletes are aware of this and eager to engage with their fans in more meaningful ways, but it’s just too difficult for them to do so on their own at the moment. If we can create a platform that makes these experiences possible and easy to get/deliver at scale, we think that we can create a lot of value for both sides of the marketplace.”

Daps available for download today: Fans can download the application through the Apple store beginning today. Once complete, they can search for an athlete, then proceed to “Book Now” to learn more about offerings and pricing details.

“We hope that Daps becomes a platform on which sports fans can easily interact with the athletes they look up to and have their day’s made. For athletes, we hope to help them open up untapped direct-to-fan revenue streams for themselves and causes they believe, while also allowing them to grow their brand in a unique way, through providing their fans with priceless moments,” Klores said.