With the world fully integrating cryptocurrency into everyday life, Odell Beckham Jr., just took it up a notch. The newest Los Angeles Rams wide receiver announced that he would be taking his NFL salary in cryptocurrency.
On Monday, the 29-year-old announced on Twitter revealing he was ditching fiat currency for the entirety of his new contract. Instead, OBJ wants to get paid in bitcoin.
New Rules
He also is deciding to share the wealth with fans via Cash App.
It's a NEW ERA & to kick that off I'm hyped to announce that I'm taking my new salary in bitcoin thanks to @CashApp. To ALL MY FANS out there, no matter where u r: THANK YOU! I’m giving back a total of $1M in BTC rn too. Drop your $cashtag w. #OBJBTC & follow @CashApp NOW pic.twitter.com/ds1IgZ1zup
— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) November 22, 2021
“It’s a NEW ERA & to kick that off I’m hyped to announce that I’m taking my new salary in bitcoin thanks to @CashApp,” tweeted OBJ. “To ALL MY FANS out there, no matter where u r: THANK YOU! I’m giving back a total of $1M in BTC rn too. Drop your $cashtag w. #OBJBTC & follow @CashApp. NOW”
The NFT Game
Odell Beckham Jr. has expanded his portfolio more holistically in the digital space as he has also entered the world of NFT’s. OBJ purchased CryptoPunk 3365, a one-of-one NFT by CryptoPunk.
Who would have thought an NFL player would be on @uponlytv, one of the biggest crypto podcasts out there, chopping it up with some of the biggest players in the space @CryptoCobain & @ledgerstatus
The bar has been raised @obj 📶 pic.twitter.com/7s1TafdOuX
— Void Media (@VoidMedia1) August 23, 2021
CryptoPunk 3365 is currently OBJ’s avatar across all social media platforms as well.
Created in 2017, CyptoPunks feature approximately 10,000 8-bit style “Punks” replete with individual personalities and a combination of distinctive, randomly generated features. The NFT’s are sold by auction houses like Christie’s and are the latest digital collectibles.
What’s The Science?
With an inventory of 10,000 Punks, 6,039 are male, and 3,840 are female, CryptoPunks contain specific features known as accessories.
CryptoPunk 3365 that Beckham purchased is only one of 526 to have a shadow beard. It is also one of 447 to sport “wild hair,” and one of just 238 to be smiling.
https://twitter.com/sobylife/status/1428412780017762309?s=20
The allure and value of the NFT come from its rarity, and one person can only own each Punk.
Follow The Leader
However, OBJ is not alone in the new line of thinking.
In October, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers announced that he was also aligning with Cash App and turning part of his salary into bitcoin.
Rodgers also set off the bitcoin giveback, saying he would be giving out $1 million in tokens to make bitcoin more accessible. OBJ is following suit as the world shifts to digital currencies en masse.
However, Carolina Panthers offensive lineman Russell Okung started the salary conversion trend as the first NFL player to request a Bitcoin salary. He agreed to have about $6 million of his $13 million salaries transferred to Strike, a mobile payment company, to convert into bitcoin.
Digital World
In addition, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Sean Culkin announced in April that he would convert his 2021 base salary of $920,000 into bitcoin. Jacksonville Jaguars No. 1 NFL pick Trevor Lawrence, also announced his salary conversion to bitcoin. Lawrence signed his deal with cryptocurrency platform Blockfolio.
Using Strike, New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley is converting all of his marketing deals and endorsement revenue to bitcoin.
Recently, the Staples Center announced the decision to change its name to Crypto.com Arena. The name takes effect starting Dec. 25 for the deal valued at $700 million over 20 years.
OBJ and a plethora of NFL athletes are changing the narrative of wealth by moving to digital currencies.
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