Scottie Pippen, the six-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer, has embarked on a new venture that merges sports memorabilia with blockchain technology. His project, known as the Game 5 Ball, involves the creation of a cryptocurrency token called $BALL, which aims to tokenize the basketball from Game 5 of the 1991 NBA Finals—a game that marked the beginning of the Chicago Bulls’ dynasty.
The Genesis of $BALL
Launched on August 1, 2024, the $BALL token operates on the Ethereum blockchain, one of the most widely used networks for digital assets. By choosing Ethereum, Scottie Pippen ensured that the project benefits from a large, decentralized infrastructure known for its security and global reach.
The $BALL token aims to immortalize one of basketball’s most iconic moments—the Chicago Bulls’ 1991 championship victory—by linking the real-world Game 5 basketball with blockchain ownership. Through this initiative, Pippen offers fans and collectors a unique opportunity to engage with history in a digital format, moving beyond traditional memorabilia models.
How $BALL Links a Real Championship Artifact to the Blockchain
As part of the project’s development, Pippen’s team outlined a detailed roadmap to build credibility and functionality. First, they plan to authenticate the physical ball through rigorous verification processes to confirm its historical significance. After that, the ball will be digitally scanned to create a high-resolution 3D twin. This will allow users to view the asset online with remarkable detail.
This digital twin will then be minted as a Non-Fungible Token (NFT), permanently recorded on the Ethereum blockchain. By using an NFT format, the project guarantees verifiable ownership and prevents duplication. This aligns with current trends in digital collectibles.
In the final phase, the original physical ball will be handed over to a professional custodial service such as Brinks. This move will ensure that the real-world asset is stored securely, bridging the gap between tangible and digital ownership.
Furthermore, the team plans to link the custody of the physical ball directly to the smart contract governing the NFT. This means that whoever holds the NFT effectively holds claim to the real ball. This custody model introduces a new layer of transparency and accountability rarely seen in sports memorabilia markets. Through this structured approach, Pippen aims not just to celebrate a historic sports moment but also to set a new standard for bringing cultural artifacts on-chain.
Real-World Asset or Meme Coin?
Despite the innovative approach, the $BALL project has faced serious scrutiny from the crypto community. Just days after the token launched, renowned blockchain investigator ZachXBT published evidence that the deployer wallet, which launched the $BALL contract, withdrew approximately $330,000 worth of tokens.
ZachXBT Links $BALL to Failed Lil Hippo NFT. Source: X @zachxbt
This sudden and large transaction raised red flags, as it resembled common tactics used in “rug pull” scams. A “rug pull” refers to a situation where developers abandon a project after extracting liquidity from unsuspecting buyers. While the $BALL token claimed to represent a historic sports asset, this financial movement cast doubt on the project’s true intentions and transparency.
As more on-chain data surfaced, additional concerns emerged. Crypto analysts discovered that the same wallet address connected to the $BALL deployment had links to earlier failed or abandoned ventures. One such project was an NFT collection titled “Lil’ Hippo,” which launched with promises of cultural engagement and collectible value but quickly went dormant. Critics pointed to this pattern. They suggested a troubling history of launching flashy, hype-driven projects without delivering sustained value or follow-through. These revelations fueled public skepticism and prompted many in the crypto space to question whether $BALL might follow a similar trajectory.
Past NFT Failures and Growing Trust Issues Around $BALL
Adding to the controversy, Scottie Pippen had previously entered the NFT scene in 2022 through a digital sneaker collection. That project also drew backlash when buyers accused the team of poor communication, delayed roadmap execution, and broken promises regarding metaverse integrations and community incentives.
Though Pippen’s celebrity status attracted initial interest, community trust eroded quickly due to what many described as a lack of accountability. These past incidents amplified doubts around the $BALL token. This was especially the case among experienced crypto users familiar with the risks of influencer-backed assets. As a result, Pippen’s involvement in $BALL became both an asset for visibility and a liability for credibility.
In response to the controversy, Pippen and his team claimed that the withdrawal of 103 Ether (ETH) was to mitigate attacks and stabilize the project. They attributed the issues to external sabotage, including sniper bots and phishing attacks. However, these explanations did not fully assuage the concerns of the crypto community.
Market Performance and Future Plans
Despite early momentum, the price action of $BALL tells a more volatile story than the headline suggests. After launching in August 2024 and briefly surging, the token spiked dramatically in early November. This reflected a moment of heightened interest—likely tied to marketing efforts, social media engagement, or influencer-driven hype.
At that point, $BALL briefly outpaced its exponential moving average (EMA-50). This is a technical indicator often used to signal upward momentum. However, that momentum did not hold.
As the chart shows, the token entered a period of relative price stability through December and January. It fluctuated within a narrow band near the $0.007 to $0.008 range. This sideways movement likely reflected a wait-and-see approach from traders who were unsure of the project’s long-term viability.
Throughout this period, $BALL’s price closely followed the EMA-50 line This suggests a lack of fresh buying pressure. The flat movement hinted that the community may have been awaiting the next development milestone or utility update from the team.
Pippen’s Long-Term Vision: Bringing Culture On-Chain
By late February and March 2025, however, the token experienced a steep decline. Prices dropped sharply below the EMA-50 level, eventually reaching $0.0022 by late April—a 62% drawdown from earlier highs. This shift coincided with heightened scrutiny over the project’s management and links to previously abandoned ventures.
The chart does not reflect any sustained recovery. This implies that the token’s valuation now depends heavily on renewed trust, product delivery, or external partnerships. Still, Pippen continues to promote the token’s vision, framing $BALL as more than a collectible—he claims it will serve as a utility asset for gaming, media content, and digital fan experiences.
Beyond the token’s price and controversy, Pippen sees $BALL as a long-term cultural experiment. According to his interview with Forbes, the project aims to “bring culture on-chain” and inspire younger generations to understand sports history through blockchain. He views $BALL as the first of many real-world assets that can live digitally, not just as collectibles. He hopes they can act as tools for education, community engagement, and digital storytelling.
