Digital marketplace Daps launches with basketball-laden NIL list

A former college basketball player at Columbia, Jake Klores wanted to find a way to create real experiences for the fan.

While Cameo gives athletes the opportunity to send meaningful messages to their supporters, Klores knew it could be taken a step further. Where an athlete could create a memorable experience on a deeper level. This is what Daps was born from. A new digital marketplace launching Thursday, Klores and his partner Ryan Berger have re-envisioned what fan engagement can look like.

Starting with a basketball-only roster, a nod to their backgrounds, the app will allow fans to pay athletes to comment on an Instagram post or book one-on-one interactive experiences. Those could range from playing a video game together, shooting form feedback or watching a game together live. Prices will vary per the experience.

Klores is making sure his new company launches with a long list of athletes who can now profit on their NIL. Kentucky’s Lance Ware, Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Jayda Curry have signed on. St John’s Posh Alexander, Texas star Jordana Codio and March Madness darling Doug Edert are among the founding Daps players.

The company will also have a presence among high school players, too. North Carolina commit Simeon Wilcher has signed on. And twin sisters Mia and Maya Pauldo of Morris Catholic High School in New Jersey will be on the app.

“The college sports market is what I started off thinking about back a few years ago,” Klores recently told On3. “When I started playing around with ideas in my house with my co-founder, it was a market that was really exciting to us. I think that you’ve seen so many great, exciting deals unfolding in the NIL space.

“We just think there’s a really big opportunity to provide a platform that makes it easy for these athletes to open up direct revenue streams. Not only in a way to provide meaningful money and revenue but also in a way that allows them to build their brand with their fans.”

How Daps will work?

While the list of high school and college athletes is long, Daps has a heavy roster of NBA talent, too. Jonathan Kuminga and Duncan Robinson have signed on, along with Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway. WNBA champion Lexie Brown is on the platform, too.

Athletes will keep 85% of the revenue they generate, while Daps will hold on to a 15% transaction fee. Daps is available to be downloaded on the App Store. Users will be able to browse the app to find their athlete. Transactions are run through Apple Pay. Pricing information will be based on each athlete.

And as much as Daps wants to grow outside of basketball, there is currently no rush, according to Klores.

“It’s gonna be invite-only at first until we feel comfortable with our capacity, tech-wise and operational,” he said. “Just making sure that all these experiences are being fulfilled in a way that gives good experiences to both sides.”

Daps will not be taking all of the transaction fees, though. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg‘s anti-gun violence organization, Everytown, will receive a portion of the proceeds. Brittney Griner Advocacy Account, which was established by Griner’s wife and agent, will as well.

What Klores envisions Daps growing into is a place where fans and college athletes each walk away with positive experiences.

“Just opens up opportunities to get these experiences because they have been really difficult to come by,” he said. “These are things that can not only allow them to support their favorite college athlete but also provide what we hope to be life-changing moments for them.”