Tom Brady’s Autograph Joins Forces with Future: A Game-Changing Merger in the Digital Realm

Autograph, the NFT company co-founded by renowned quarterback Tom Brady, has announced a strategic merger with digital fitness company Future. This significant development was revealed by Rishi Mandal, co-founder and CEO of Future, through a LinkedIn post. The merger aims to blend Autograph’s celebrity connections with Future’s mission to enhance athletic engagement, setting the stage for a dynamic collaboration in the digital space.

Future, which has successfully raised over $100 million and was last publicly valued at $275 million, according to Pitchbook, will benefit from this union by leveraging Autograph's star-studded advisory board and marketplace foundation. In contrast, Autograph, once valued at an impressive $3.1 billion, faced challenges following the crypto market crash and the cooling of the NFT market. The company underwent layoffs in 2023, reducing its workforce to 30 employees, as reported by Fast Company.

The merger comes at a pivotal moment for Autograph. Founded in 2021, the company aimed to connect athletes and artists with fans through its NFT marketplace, raising more than $200 million in the process. Despite the initial success, Autograph faced headwinds that prompted strategic reevaluation and workforce reductions. Supported by prominent investors like Andreessen Horowitz and Lightspeed Venture Partners, Autograph also boasted a board of advisors featuring celebrities such as Naomi Osaka and Tony Hawk.

As part of this merger, Tom Brady will join Future's board of directors and serve as co-chair of the company. The partnership between Autograph and Future emerged from discussions about potential collaborations after Mandal and Brady were introduced through a mutual friend. Mandal highlighted how the combined strengths of both companies could redefine fan engagement and athletic experiences.

Future recently re-launched as a platform dedicated to tracking fan engagements and rewarding them, removing its initial NFT component. This focus aligns well with Autograph's vision of connecting fans with their favorite sports figures and artists through innovative digital means.