As football enthusiasts were captivated by the uproar surrounding the European Super League, something huge slipped under the radar – cryptocurrency silently made its way into the Premier League.
While the controversial Super League dominated headlines and sparked debates, only a few keen observers in the football community began to take notice of the rising influence of crypto within the Premier League. Read on as we demystify how crypto has impacted each Premier League club and its possible impact on reshaping the football finance landscape and fan engagement.
Crypto Disruption: Is Football the Next Industry to be Reshaped?
With decentralization as its hallmark, blockchain technology has already reshaped several industries by introducing new levels of transparency, security and efficiency. Finance and banking were among the first to take a hit after the introduction of Bitcoin enabling secure and decentralized transactions and reducing the need for intermediaries like banks.
The gaming industry quickly followed suit, with cryptocurrencies offering a new or, for some, improved form of entertainment. Blockchain games, in particular, have revolutionized the gaming experience by providing players new ways to earn real money through participation and rewards.
One notable example is the game StarryNift, where players can earn cryptocurrency (BNB) solely by participating in the game’s ecosystem. As a result, users (players) could earn real cryptocurrency by merely playing their favorite game. More skillful enthusiasts increase their profit by simply following the BNB price chart on reputable exchanges, and withdrawing once the coin value goes up.
Soon, other blockchain games came into the spotlight, shifting the gamers’ attention from a traditional (and vulnerable) gaming model to more transparent alternatives. This only demonstrates the tangible connection between a game’s success and the value of its associated cryptocurrency, bringing crypto and gaming enthusiasts together under one roof.
Crypto has been in the Premier League for quite a while now. But, its impact is confined to jersey prints and flashy boards surrounding the stadium pitches. Still, the financial significance of crypto sponsorship contracts in the Premier League is immense. These contracts represent substantial investments, highlighting the growing influence of cryptocurrency in the football industry.
As the crypto industry continues to funnel immense sums of money into Premier League clubs, one can’t help but wonder how cryptocurrency will (or could) gradually reshape football, extending its reach beyond surface-level sponsorships to potentially redefine financial transactions and engagements within the sport as we know it today.
From Bitcoin to the Pitch: The Impact of Crypto Sponsorships in Premier League
Premier Leagues is a global brand hitting massive broadcast numbers year by year. The recent £6.7billion ($7.3 billion) TV rights record deal only embodies its influence transcending beyond its natural borders across the English Channel, North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea.
So, it’s only natural that crypto is looking at this competition as a natural media outlet in its desire to get in on the mass market. For crypto companies, PL sponsorship deals are a cheap way to expand their customer base and reach a global audience.
On the other hand, football clubs enjoy unprecedented financial injections, fostering their ability to attract top talent, invest in state-of-the-art facilities, and enhance their overall competitiveness.
This symbiotic relationship between cryptocurrency and football sponsorship not only enhances crypto mainstream visibility but also fortifies the financial backbone of PL football organizations, creating a mutually beneficial concept that reshapes the traditional landscape of sports business.
Realizing the potential of smart contracts within the blockchain industry, football clubs have already started creating their NFTs, which could replace the traditional stickers and albums and revolutionize the way fans collect and engage with unique moments and achievements in the football world.
The transformative potential of blockchain and crypto goes beyond reshaping collectibles. For example, this technology could redefine ticketing systems, ensuring transparent and secure transactions while combating counterfeit tickets.
Smart contracts could have a significant role in streamlining player transfers, providing an immutable and automated record of contractual agreements. Additionally, fan engagement could reach unprecedented levels through token-based loyalty programs (much like blockchain games rewarding participating players), granting supporters exclusive access to events, content, or even decision-making processes within the clubs. However, the last seems like pie in the sky.
The intersection of blockchain and football offers a vast sea of possibilities, opening new frontiers that could (or already did) redefine not only the fan experience but also the very foundations of how the sport is managed and financed.
Exploring the Crypto Craze: How Premier League Clubs are Capitalizing on Sponsorships
If you wonder what kind of influence crypto could have on PL, just consider that in season 2021-22, 19 out of 20 clubs had at least one cryptocurrency sponsor (some had several of them).
In the lines that follow, we’ll briefly cover the Premier League club’s sponsorship deals in 2023:
- Arsenal – eToro
- Aston Villa – Trade Nation
- Brighton – eToro
- Brentford – CoinJar
- Crystal Palace – Socios.com, eToro
- Chelsea – TMGM
- Everton – Socios.com, eToro
- Manchester City – OKX
- Manchester United – Tezos
- Newcastle – StormGain
- Sheffield United – CFI
- Tottenham – Socios.com
- West Ham – PeakDeFi
- Wolverhampton – Bitci.com
*Barnsley, Bournemouth, Fulham, Luton, Liverpool and Nottingham Forest don’t have crypto sponsors at the moment.
Conclusion
The so-called “marriage” between blockchain and football represents a seismic shift in the global sporting landscape. From the subtle entry of cryptocurrency into the Premier League to the revolutionary impact on gaming and sponsorships, the potential for reshaping the industry is vast.
The rise of NFTs, smart contracts, and crypto sponsorships could transform fan engagement and introduce novel financial structures. As the football and crypto industries converge, we could enter a world where tradition meets innovation. The recent Premier League crypto deals could set the stage for a future where blockchain technology becomes an integral part of the football ecosystem, replacing the existing betting sponsor influence.
