Watford FC buys into Bitcoin

The Bitcoin symbol will this season appear on the shirt sleeve of Watford FC players, and the Premier League club will also accept the cryptocurrency for merchandise purchases.

This is the result of its partnership with betting platform Sportsbet.io, Watford FC’s primary shirt sponsor. Justin Le Brocque, Head of Marketing at Sportsbet.io, says: “The crypto community have been hugely supportive of us since we began, so putting the Bitcoin logo on the sleeve felt like a fun way to give something back while also showing them our support.”

The sponsorship will be crowdfunded, allowing anyone who holds Bitcoin a chance to share in perks granted to Watford FC sponsors. Contributors can bid for public LED space shown live during matches, use of the Bitcoin box for eight people and exclusive club merchandise.

“Some of the biggest challenges we and others like us face is raising awareness, dispelling common myths around cryptos and educating the public on the advantages and opportunities presented by cryptocurrencies,” Le Brocque comments.

“Our partnership with Watford marks a major disruption in the world of traditional sports sponsorship, and by adding the Bitcoin logo we hope this world’s first partnership will create even more buzz around cryptocurrencies.”

Scott Duxbury, Watford FC Chairman and CEO, adds: “Placing the Bitcoin logo on a Premier League shirt is something that challenges the accepted norm. We’re excited about the partnerships and the potential for new global conversations that it could help start for our club.”