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7 NFL players that chose crypto over cash salaries

Dec 27, 2021

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For NFL followers, 2021 was a fantastic 12 months. Stadiums returned to capability crowds after the 2020 season was shortened with restricted attendance. Stadium parking heaps have been once more crammed with the enthusiastic anticipation of tailgaters and their barbequed camaraderie. 

It was additionally a fantastic 12 months for Bitcoin (BTC) buyers as the biggest cryptocurrency by market capitalization reached all-time excessive costs a number of occasions all through 2021, finally topping out at $69,000 in early November. This led to a dramatic improve in media protection of Bitcoin.

Seven NFL gamers in 2021 determined to name the audible and start both being paid in crypto or having their money wage partially transformed to crypto. These gamers have capitalized on the return of the common season and the elevated profitability of Bitcoin.

Aaron Rodgers

The reigning 2020 NFL MVP introduced by way of a Nov. 1 video submit on Twitter that he was partnering with Money App fee service to just accept a portion of his wage in Bitcoin. Rodgers will earn roughly $22.3 million this 12 months.

The video depicted Rodgers dressed as John Wick for a Halloween get together. If that wasn’t unusual sufficient, doubtless by design, Rodgers additionally advised viewers that he would donate $1 million in BTC.

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In Rodgers’ case, he could have a portion of his wage despatched to his Money App account, which he’ll then use to purchase BTC. 

The Twitter profile for the star quarterback for the Inexperienced Bay Packers features an image of himself on the sphere throughout a recreation with the long-lasting laser eyes, additional signaling his help for BTC.

Tom Brady

Tom Brady is one other very high-profile NFL star quarterback who dabbled closely in cryptocurrency in 2021. Brady has not but mentioned that he’s being paid in BTC by the NFL, however he can be paid in crypto by FTX alternate after he took an fairness stake in Sam Bankman-Fried’s alternate, and can function a model ambassador.

Brady has not reserved himself to crypto belongings alone, nonetheless. The enduring soccer star launched his personal NFT platform, known as Autograph, in April to draw the highest expertise in sports activities, leisure, trend and popular culture.

It doesn’t finish there for Brady and crypto, although. Late in October, Brady threw the 600th passing landing of his profession, marking an all-time excessive for the NFL, and serving to to safe Brady’s place because the all-time main landing passer within the league’s historical past. Brady paid 1 BTC to the fan who was initially given the ball by the receiver who accomplished the landing.

That BTC was value about $62,000 on the time of the sport, however the ball itself could also be value over $500,000 in line with Goldin Auctions sports activities memorabilia public sale firm.

Odell Beckham Jr.

Odell Beckham Jr. (OBJ) adopted in Aaron Rodgers’ footsteps by asserting late in November that he had partnered with Money App to obtain his wage from the NFL in BTC. His contract stipulates that he ought to obtain about $4.25 million from the NFL this season.

The Los Angeles Rams’ large receiver advised followers that he would give again $1 million in BTC as a part of his new partnership with Money App. Beckham seems to be no stranger to the crypto and NFT scene as his Twitter profile dons a Crypto Punk NFT.

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In case you haven’t observed, Jack Dorsey’s Money App is concerned with each OBJ’s and Aaron Rodgers’ BTC wage deal. The fee service app has had a fantastic 2021 via the primary three quarters of the 12 months by raking in almost $10 billion in income from 36 million energetic customers and 100 million downloads.

Trevor Lawrence

The Carolina Panthers’ new star quarterback joined the ranks of NFL superstars who’re publicly accepting crypto funds. Lawrence’s deal, nonetheless, isn’t with the NFL instantly. The 2021 NFL prime draft choose’s crypto wage comes from an endorsement cope with the crypto portfolio app FTX (previously Blockfolio).

The worth of his deal has not been made public, but when Lawrence has been hodling his crypto earnings, there’s a good likelihood he has loved an appreciation in worth, particularly from the Solana (SOL) cash. The whole crypto market cap has elevated by about $500 billion since late April when the deal was introduced.

Saquon Barkley

Saquon Barkley, the famous person working again from the New York Giants, revealed in July that he was changing all of his endorsement pay into BTC. As with most others on this listing, Barkley isn’t being paid instantly with crypto. As an alternative, he’s swapping a few of his money earnings for crypto.

Barkley is utilizing the Strike fee app to accumulate his BTC. He isn’t the primary NFL participant to make use of Strike to purchase BTC together with his wage, nonetheless. Final 12 months, former NFL offensive lineman Russel Okung grew to become the primary participant to publicly share that he was utilizing Strike to transform his NFL wage to BTC.

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Barkley’s reasoning for attempting to amass wealth with BTC revolved across the lack of longevity amongst NFL athletes. He advised The Finest Enterprise Present host Anthony Pompliano on July 15:

“If you see the KD’s, the Lebrons and Bradys of the world and also you need to create generational wealth, you may’t do this with the game that I play and the place that I play and coming off of accidents. If you sit out of soccer for a complete 12 months, you notice that this recreation may very well be taken away from you.”

Sean Culkin

Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ tight finish Sean Culkin went public together with his plans to transform his complete wage from the NFL into BTC. Whereas others on this listing dedicated to changing solely a portion of their wage into Bitcoin or being paid for endorsements with cryptos, Culkin is swapping 100% of his wage.

Like with Saquon Barkley, Culkin’s reasoning for turning to crypto has to do with the brief half-life frequent amongst gamers within the league. The typical time most athletes spend within the NFL is 3.3 years, in line with Statista. Culkin mentioned in a press release:

“Contemplating my profession—notably its bodily calls for, and brevity–it makes essentially the most sense to be paid in sound cash that I imagine protects its buying energy over time.”

Aaron Jones

Final however actually not least on the listing of NFL stars incomes crypto is the Inexperienced Bay Packers’ Aaron Jones. The working again signed a cope with FTX to turn out to be an envoy for the alternate in September. Like with Tom Brady’s deal, Jones bought an fairness stake within the alternate.

Jones may also combine the FTX Pay platform into his personal charity’s web site to allow it to just accept crypto donations.