Today cryptocurrency exchange Binance announced it signed a multi year deal for non-fungible tokens (NFTs) with soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo. The star has the most career earnings of any footballer at over $1 billion putting him second only to Tiger Woods amongst all athletes.
“My relationship with the fans is very important to me, so the idea of bringing unprecedented experiences and access through this NFT platform is something that I wanted to be a part of,” said Ronaldo. “I know the fans are going to enjoy the collection as much as I do.”
While the term ‘exclusive’ is used, we believe the deal is to create a series of collections exclusively available on Binance.
Last year fantasy NFT platform Sorare auctioned a digital collectible NFT of Ronaldo at Bonhams. It was expected to get as much as $1 million but went for around $400,000 in November.
Ronaldo is just the latest sports star to get involved in the cryptocurrency sector. NFL start Tom Brady co-launched an NFT platform, Autograph and has a sponsorship deal with crypto exchange FTX. Lionel Messi, the soccer star that has vied for the top spot with Ronaldo, has a deal with fan token platform Socios.
Binance has crossed swords with Socios. The fan token platform had a sponsorship deal with Argentina Football, but Binance seems to have offered more. Socios has taken legal steps.
