Online bookmaker Sportsbet.io has been a team sponsor since June
Watford announced on Thursday (12) that it has expanded its deal with sportsbook.io, the team's master sponsor since last June. With the extension, the Bitcoin brand will be stamped on the left sleeve of the Premier League club shirt.
According to the British team, the new deal will allow fans to buy official club merchandise and products using cryptocurrency. With this, Watford becomes the first club in England to use Bitcoin in this type of trade. According to Coingaming Group, owner of the Sportsbet.io brand, the idea is that in the near future cryptocurrency can be used on game days.
The initiative is part of a broader Sportsbet.io campaign to raise Bitcoin awareness and educate the public about the benefits of using cryptocurrencies. The sponsorship will be funded through a crowdfunding system, allowing anyone or company that owns Bitcoin to have the exclusive opportunity to gain advantages that were previously granted only to Watford sponsors. Contributors may, for example, place paid Bitcoin bids for LED billboards displayed live during team matches.
"The encryption community has been very supportive of us since we were considering putting the Bitcoin logo on Watford's sleeve. Our partnership with the club marks a major break in the world of traditional sports sponsorship. With the addition of the Bitcoin logo on the uniform, we hope the partnership create even more news for the cryptocurrency world, "explained Justin Le Brocque, chief marketing officer of Sportsbet.io.
"Putting the Bitcoin logo on a Premier League shirt is something that defies the current standard. We are excited about the partnerships and the potential for new global conversations that can help leverage our club," said Scott Duxbury, president and CEO of Watford. .
Among the faces chosen to present the partnership is the Brazilian goalkeeper Gomes, former Cruzeiro, who has been with the English club since 2014 and is one of the idols of the current cast. Watford will be aiming for their first win of the Premier League season 2019/2020 next Sunday (15) against Arsenal. With four rounds played, the team occupies the last place in the leaderboard with only one point won.