Houston Rockets Partner with NYDIG through Bitcoin-Paid Deal

The two companies will work together to provide access, educational programming and community initiatives to the bitcoin ecosystem through the NBA team’s social, digital and in-person platforms.

article-image

Source: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

share

key takeaways

  • The partnership with the Rockets is not just a NYDIG brand awareness move but a move to create awareness for bitcoin as well, NYDIG’s CMO Kelly Brewster told Blockworks in an interview
  • Earlier this week, Crypto.com made a $700 million name rights deal with the Los Angeles Lakers to rename the Staples Center to Crypto.com Arena for the next 20 years

The Houston Rockets have partnered with bitcoin-focused NYDIG to bring a range of cryptocurrency services to the basketball team. 

The deal will be paid in bitcoin to Tilman Fertitta, the owner and CEO of Fertitta Entertainment, who owns the Rockets, Post Oak Motor Cars, the hospitality company Landry’s and the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casinos. The proceeds will be held on NYDIG’s bitcoin platform, according to a release. 

Landry’s and Fertitta’s dealership also recently partnered with NYDIG to implement bitcoin rewards and allow customers to finance cars through bitcoin loans, respectively. 

“We got connected to their organization a few months ago and Tilman has been interested in crypto generally and bitcoin specifically for quite some time,” NYDIG’s Chief Marketing Officer Kelly Brewster told Blockworks in an interview. “I think he’s already a little bit ahead of the curve and really wanted to make more of a concerted effort to focus on (bitcoin),” Brewster said. 

NYDIG is a bitcoin-focused company that provides technology and financial services solutions to banks, insurers, corporations and institutions. Some of its recent partnerships and investments range from credit unions to mining firms. It is also a holding company Stone Ridge subsidiary, a $12 billion alternative asset manager. 

The Rockets will work with NYDIG to provide access, educational programming and community initiatives to the bitcoin ecosystem through the NBA team’s social, digital and in-person platforms. Additionally, the Toyota Center’s suite levels will be named “Bitcoin Suites by NYDIG.” 

“From the get-go we’ve been trying to figure out what are all of the different touchpoints in their business, where we can, and make bitcoin a bigger part of it and doing exciting things for bitcoiners,” Brewster said. 

The partnership with the Rockets is “as much about bitcoin, as it is about NYDIG,” meaning it’s not just an NYDIG brand awareness move but a move to create awareness for bitcoin as well, Brewster said. 

NYDIG is well known for partnering with non-crypto-related businesses to expand bitcoin’s reach. Other crypto companies have also expanded into the sports world to boost brand awareness and educate the public about cryptocurrencies, more specifically, bitcoin. 

Earlier this week, Crypto.com made a $700 million name rights deal with the Los Angeles Lakers to rename the Staples Center to Crypto.com Arena for the next 20 years.

Separately, crypto exchange FTX landed a deal with high-profile Los Angeles Angels All-star Pitcher Shohei Ohtani, who will serve as a spokesperson for the company. Last month Voyager Digital partnered with the Dallas Mavericks, which is one of many announcements recently that has aimed to merge the crypto and sports worlds together.


Get the day’s top crypto news and insights delivered to your inbox every evening. Subscribe to Blockworks’ free newsletter now.


Tags

Upcoming Events

MON - WED, MARCH 18 - 20, 2024

Digital Asset Summit (DAS) is returning March 2024. What you can expect: And more! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be in the room when the future of crypto is decided. Join us and help shape the future of our […]

recent research

Research report - cover graphics-2.jpg

Research

Base has doubled-down on its commitment to the Superchain vision, has shown early signs of success with nearly $400M in TVL, and has become home to novel dapps such as friend.tech which has seen significant traction.

article-image

Certain creditors could be repaid sooner, with one hedge fund exec telling Blockworks it expects a payout by the end of the year

article-image

Busan is South Korea’s second largest city with a population around 3.4 million

article-image

Cyprus granted eToro crypto registration, setting the groundwork for the company to operate crypto services post-MiCa rollout

article-image

Sponsored

These are the best tools and practices you can leverage to defend against crypto market volatility

article-image

The agency alleges around 1,160 customers used the margin product, losing about $8.35 million since Oct. 2021.

article-image

On Thursday, the Securities and Futures Commission issued a statement disavowing any communication with JPEX saying that the platform is unlicensed