When the NFL and cryptocurrency are mentioned in the same sentence, the stories are very fascinating. Several athletes have made the bold move like Russell Okung and Odell Beckham Jr., to embrace digital currencies. These moves not only made headlines but also sparked a bigger conversation that must be had about wealth, innovation and how crypto is quietly becoming part of everyday sports culture.
Crypto Sports Betting on the Sidelines
This cultural shift isn’t just about players’ paychecks. Fans are also finding new ways to engage in crypto. It’s become normal to place bets on sports with crypto. Crypto sports betting offers the same thrill as sportsbooks but comes with a few added perks: anonymous betting that protects personal details, better odds, and higher limits than many regular sportsbooks, and instant withdrawals that skip the long wait times.
While NFL players are experimenting with receiving their paycheck in Bitcoin, fans are simultaneously exploring crypto as a way to interact with the games that they love. Both trends show how digital finance is blending naturally with the sports world, especially with the football preseason in full swing.
The Crypto Trailblazers: From Paychecks to Platforms
Russell Okung made waves in December 2020 when he opted to receive half of his $13 million NFL salary in Bitcoin. He worked with the startup Zap to make the conversion possible, since the league didn’t offer direct crypto payments. That bold choice paid off when the value of Bitcoin surged, turning his $6.5 million salary portion into roughly $20 million. Okung even remarked that what took past generations a lifetime to build, crypto could achieve “in a cycle”.
Not long after, Odell Beckham Jr. also turned heads when he chose to receive his full 2021 salary in Bitcoin, a deal worth about $4.25 million. When Bitcoin’s price climbed, OBJ fired back at critics on Twitter who thought investing his Rams salary was a dumb move.
Endorsements, investments and Tokens
Saquon Barkley, for example, announced he would convert all of his endorsement income into Bitcoin, framing it as a way to build generational wealth. Chiefs tight end Sean Culkin went further, becoming the first NFL player to convert his entire salary into Bitcoin, though he was released shortly afterward.
Some athletes are branching beyond Bitcoin. Linebacker Brandon King has shared his investments in Shiba Inu, one of the most talked-about meme tokens. Rising defensive star Kayvon Thibodeaux even launched his own token, $JREAM, tied to his charitable foundation and teamed up with Nike co-founder Tinker Hatfield to release a line of NFT artwork. Such collaborations show how digital assets can build stronger fan connections. These ventures give players new ways to share their personal brands, link with communities, and even raise funds for charitable causes. Some stars have also begun exploring metaverse partnerships and interactive NFT collectibles, giving fans a chance to own exclusive digital moments tied to memorable plays. As more stars experiment with tokens, NFTs, and blockchain-backed projects, crypto becomes less of a financial gamble and more of a creative tool helping athletes shape legacies that last long after their playing days.
