BitWallet, a well-known cryptocurrency payment company based in Houston, has just entered into a partnership to become the official digital currency wallet of the Houston Texans. The partnership will allow the team registered in the US NFL league to accept cryptocurrency payments for stadium tickets and all merchandise.
“We are proud to partner with BitWallet to offer an exciting option for our fans who are looking to enjoy Texans gameday in one of our suites. BitWallet is a perfect collaborator as we continue our efforts to move our organization forward in new and innovative ways”.
As announced on the Texans company’s website, through this important partnership, Houston Texans fans will now have the opportunity to purchase single game suites with cryptocurrency, using BitWallet as the intermediary (which directly converts crypto to US dollars).
The Texans are the first NFL team to offer their fans such an experience.
“Digital currency has become a primary means of payment and by partnering with BitWallet, the Texans are paving the way in the NFL. I am honored that BitWallet is the first to offer Texans fans this service”,
John T Perrone, CEO of BitWallet said during a press conference.
Other NFL teams are also considering implementing cryptocurrencies to their business, such as the Tennesse Titans, who are exploring the possibility of allowing their fans to use cryptocurrencies for stadium purchases during games.
In March, the NFL had opened up the possibility of league and team sponsorship to crypto companies, which have long been targeting sports to promote their services.
As reported by the CNBC television channel, this decision led the NFL Association itself and the players’ union to enter into an agreement with blockchain company Dapper Labs to produce video collectibles.
In contrast, the National Basketball Association earlier this year signed an agreement with the Coinbase exchange worth $192 million to sponsor the league for the next four years. Crypto.com instead formed a contract to sponsor the Los Angels Lakers basketball team’s stadium for the next twenty years for $700 million.
But individual stars in the US professional leagues are also looking with great interest at the cryptocurrency market, especially the NFT market.
NFL stars such as Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski have signed agreements with NFT platforms to sell their image through non-fungible tokens. Tom Brady, one of the all-time greats in American football launched an NFT platform, Autograph, last year, which raised $170 million in January, Bloomberg reported.
Trevor Lawrence, quarterback of the Jacksonville Jaguars also asked to have his salary and bonuses paid in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
Source: https://en.cryptonomist.ch/2022/08/17/houston-texans-the-first-nfl-team-to-accept-bitcoin/