NBA Heavyweights, Houston Rockets, Ink Deal with AntPool: A Cryptocurrency Shot in the Arm? 🚀
Houston's Basketball Team, the Rockets, signs sponsorship contract with Bitcoin Mining Company, AntPool.
The Houston Rockets have just entered into a groundbreaking sponsorship with AntPool, a leading Bitcoin mining pool. AntPool, owned by Bitmain, will sponsor the team for the 2018-2019 NBA season, according to SportsPro Media.
Rockets to Shoot for the Stars with AntPool
With this partnership, John Corley, the Houston Rockets' vice president, has made it clear that the team is always on the cutting edge of technology, both on and off the court. He said,
AntPool plans to unveil an exhibition at the Toyota Center, home of the Rockets, early next year. Given the team's significant following in China where Bitmain is based, this move signals a perfect match. China's most famous basketball player, Yao Ming, spent nine years with the Rockets, potentially contributing to their popularity.
This sponsorship also marks a significant expansion step for Bitmain in the United States. Recent reports suggested that the mining giant was planning to establish a mega cryptocurrency mining and data center in Rockdale, Texas.
As of writing, AntPool holds 10.9 percent of the network's total hashrate in the last week, making it the fourth-largest Bitcoin mining pool.
AntPool Speaks on the Sponsorship
Haijiao Li, the overseas operations manager at AntPool, expressed his enthusiasm, saying,
Bitcoin and Basketball: A Growing Trend
This isn't the first time the Rockets have taken a leap in the world of cryptocurrency. In recent weeks, billionaire team owner, Tilman Fertitta, announced that his luxury car dealership would accept Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash.
At the start of the year, Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, announced that his team would accept Bitcoin for ticket purchases during the upcoming season. This move marked a change in Cuban's stance on Bitcoin, following his June 2022 interview where he called Bitcoin a "bubble."
With more NBA teams venturing into crypto and blockchain technologies, it's no surprise to see future partnerships extended into areas like sports betting apps, offering fans new ways to engage and bet on games.
The Future of Blockchain & Sports
As the NBA embraces fintech and crypto, fans can expect to witness more collaborations on the horizon. These partnerships aren't just about generating revenue; they're about pushing the boundaries of what a sports fan experience can be.
What do you think about the Houston Rockets' new partnership with AntPool? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Image courtesy of Blockchain.info and Shutterstock
Editor's Note
With the NBA's growing embrace of fintech and crypto, it's no wonder that we're seeing more collaborations between established franchises and blockchain brands. These partnerships represent a unique opportunity for teams to push the boundaries of the fan experience while helping crypto companies gain mainstream credibility. Stay tuned for more updates as the industry continues to evolve! [1] SportsPro Media, April 2025: "Credit Karma Money sponsors Houston Rockets, signaling fintech and crypto push in sports sponsorships." [2] ESPN, February 2023: "Mark Cuban Confirms Dallas Mavericks Will Accept Bitcoin for Ticket Purchases." [3] Forbes, June 2022: "Mark Cuban Renews His War on Bitcoin." [4] Business Insider, October 2022: "How Tilman Fertitta's Luxury Car Dealership Will Now Accept Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash Payments."
- The Houston Rockets have entered into a partnership with AntPool, a leading Bitcoin mining pool owned by Bitmain, for the 2018-2019 NBA season.
- AntPool plans to unveil an exhibition at the Toyota Center, home of the Rockets, early next year, representing a significant expansion step for Bitmain in the United States.
- Haijiao Li, the overseas operations manager at AntPool, expressed his enthusiasm, stating that partnering with the Houston Rockets will help them lead the conversation and conversion for consumers to embrace digital currencies.
- This partnership marks a growing trend in the world of cryptocurrency and basketball, with more NBA teams venturing into crypto and blockchain technologies.
- In recent weeks, billionaire team owner Tilman Fertitta announced that his luxury car dealership would accept Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash, while Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, earlier announced that his team would accept Bitcoin for ticket purchases during the upcoming season.
- As the NBA embraces fintech and crypto, fans can expect to witness more collaborations between established franchises and blockchain brands, pushing the boundaries of what a sports fan experience can be.
