On Tuesday, the crypto firm FTX Trading Ltd, announced that the Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones has joined the company as an FTX Ambassador in a long-term partnership. The collaboration with the NFL player follows the firm’s partnership with seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady and his wife Gisele Bündchen.
FTX Inks Long-Term Partnership With NFL Running Back Aaron Jones
Crypto asset company FTX continues to make deals in the world of professional sports as just last week, FTX partnered with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team. FTX has also partnered with Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, the Brazilian model Gisele Bündchen, and became the MLB’s official crypto exchange brand in a long-term deal.
FTX also purchased the U.S. professional esports giant TSM for $210 million and it won the naming rights to the Miami Heat arena. Following the deal with Mercedes F1, FTX announced that Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones is now a company ambassador.
According to the deal, Jones also acquired a stake in FTX and the NFL player’s “compensation will be paid in cryptocurrency.” Jones was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft after leaving the University of Texas, El Paso. Statistics show Jones captured back-to-back 1000+ rushing yard seasons in 2019 and 2020. The following year, Jones was selected to play in the Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium.
“I plan to invest a portion of my future marketing earnings in cryptocurrency and other blockchain-related assets through the FTX US exchange,” Jones said on Tuesday. The Green Bay Packers running back added:
Additionally, my brother and I are excited to become shareholders in FTX through Showtyme Ventures, LLC – my family’s investing vehicle dedicated to investing in legendary entrepreneurs who are unapologetically changing the world, putting as equal an emphasis on making an impact as they do shareholder returns. My brother and I are excited to have FTX represent our first venture investment.
A Slew of NFL Teams and Players Have Joined the Crypto Revolution, NFL Allegedly Warns Against Participation
The deal with Aaron Jones, however, follows the NFL allegedly barring teams and players from participating in certain blockchain and crypto-related ventures. On September 3, a report from the sports publication The Athletic quoted “multiple club sources” who were familiar with the matter. A large number of NFL players and teams have been getting into blockchain and crypto over the last two years including players Trevor Lawrence, Russell Okung, Patrick Mahomes, and Rob “Gronk” Gronkowski.
The company Grayscale Investments partnered with NFL team the New York Giants in the first week of May. In mid-June, the New York Giants’ Saquon Barkley said he planned to convert his endorsement revenue into bitcoin. Green Bay’s Aaron Jones says he plans to have his charity A&A All the Way (www.aaalltheway.org) integrate FTX Pay so donations can be made with crypto assets. The charity is aimed at “making an impact in the lives of our nation’s youth through charitable giving and action.”
Brett Harrison, president of FTX US, said that the Green Bay Packers running back shares the same ideals as the company. “When we first met with Aaron, it was clear that he shared the same values FTX has been founded on – to leave a lasting positive impact on the world. FTX is thrilled to have Aaron join our team to assist us in bringing the world of crypto further into mainstream acceptance and adoption.”
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