The Houston Texans are the first team in the National Football League (NFL) to sell single-game suites in exchange for crypto.
According to the Houston Texans, local digital marketing agency EWR Digital purchased the first single-game suite using crypto shortly after the offer debuted, marking the first time a game suite has been offered in return for digital assets in the sport’s history.
Houston Texans make first move in crypto space
The move is part of a contract with Texas-based crypto startup BitWallet, which became the team’s official crypto wallet provider on Aug. 16. BitWallet will also act as an intermediary for the team, exchanging crypto for cash.
In addition to allowing users to trade or hold Bitcoin (BTC), BitWallet says to be supported in more than 160 countries. Over the following several months, support will be added for Ether (ETH), Tether (USDT), Litecoin (LTC), Dogecoin (DOGE), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), and Shiba Inu (SHIB).
There has been no mention of being able to buy regular game day tickets with digital assets at this time, so it appears that the cryptocurrency deal is exclusive for suites.
A game suite is an upscale, private viewing area in a stadium that frequently includes upscale booze, buffets, restrooms, staff, and TVs in a prime spot to watch the game.
The Houston Texans’ website does not publish a price for single-game or full-season suites, instead directing visitors to send an inquiry in order to reserve one. A single game suite for the team is estimated to cost between $14,000 and $25,000 From the Seat, although the price can reach as high as $40,000.
NFL & blockchain
In late 2021, the NFL and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) also collaborated with Dapper Labs, the company of the Flow blockchain, to introduce the NFL All Day NFT collectible project. The NFL and NFLPA also acquired shares in Dapper as part of the agreement, and the two likely received a just share of the $36.8 million in sales that NFL All Day has produced since February.
In April, the Dallas Cowboys struck a multi-year agreement with Blockchain.com to serve as its official digital asset partner, making them the first NFL team to do so.
The league also includes multiple crypto-friendly players, such as former Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., Green Bay Packers star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and Carolina Panthers quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who was the top overall pick in 2021.
Tom Brady has also experimented in the industry, opening his own NFT marketplace Autograph in April 2021, and notably paid a fan 1 BTC (worth $62,000 at the time) to obtain his legendary 600th-touchdown-pass ball back in October.