Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Crypto Comes to NBA Jerseys for First Time

Portland Trail Blazers/Design: Alex Brooks

The Portland Trail Blazers are the first NBA team to land a jersey patch deal with a cryptocurrency platform.

StormX, which has 800 global partners and more than 2 million users, will feature its branding throughout the arena and on the team’s jerseys. StormX will also create the first NFT for the Trail Blazers.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but sponsorship experts reportedly suggest the first-of-its-kind deal likely falls somewhere under $10 million per year.

The Golden State Warriors have the largest NBA jersey patch deal at $20 million per season. Only three of the 30 teams in the league do not have patch deals. 

Cryptocurrency is flooding the sports industry these days.

  • Earlier this week, Formula 1 announced a five-year, $100 million partnership with Crypto.com.
  • The New York Giants teamed up with Grayscale in May, one of the world’s largest digital currency asset managers.
  • The Miami Heat agreed to a 19-year, $135 million naming rights deal with FTX in April.
  • The Montreal Canadiens signed a one-year deal with Crypto.com back in March.

IEG estimates that the NBA made a record $1.46 billion in sponsorships this season.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Gavel

Key Figure in Basketball Gambling Scandals to Plead Guilty in Poker Case

Shane Hennen is a defendant in three gambling-related scandals.

NBA Execs Split on Where LeBron James Will End Up

James will play a record 24th NBA season. 
February 20, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; NBA great George Gervin is honored for being selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during halftime in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
First at FOS

George Gervin Also Loses Initial Attempt to Trademark Iceman

“There are a lot of Icemens,” IP attorney Josh Gerben tells FOS.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

7/14/26 – World Cup Semis, Michigan AD Probe, FanDuel VIP Scandal

0:00

Featured Today

What the World Cup Means to Erling Haaland’s Tiny Hometown

The tournament’s breakout star is from a rural Norwegian town.
July 10, 2026

Why So Many Media Outlets Are Rushing Into Sports

Sports coverage has ballooned in every corner of media.
Pillow Fight Championship
July 8, 2026

How Obscure Sports Get Mainstream TV Deals

For niche sports, getting on TV often matters more than getting paid.
ATLANTA, GA - September 05: Georgia Lottery fireworks after the game against the Seattle Mariners at Truist Park on Friday, September 5, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
July 2, 2026

Inside the Spectacle and Science of MLB Fireworks

Postgame fireworks are lighting up baseball for America250.
Kansas City Chiefs
July 1, 2026

NFL Teams Push to Turn Futbol Fans Into Football Devotees

NFL teams are courting international soccer fans during their World Cup visits.
Aksha Bhatia, Max Homa, and Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links before a TGL match against New York Golf Club at SoFi Center on January 13, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Versant Buys Woods-Backed Golf Simulator Company for $530M

Full Swing is the predominant technology used by TGL.
Charlie Pliner and Nikolas Rohrmann
May 22, 2026

How 2 Brown Undergrads Became Sports Dealmakers

An experimental project turned into a permanent course and business deal network.
June 5, 2026

Tottenham Boardroom Rivalry Ends With Former Chairman’s Exit

Spurs say they “don’t know anything about” the deal.
Sponsored

Clase Azul Tequila Founder’s Soccer Ownership

Arturo Lomeli talks about managing a tequila brand and two soccer clubs.
Casey Wasserman, Chairperson and President of LA28, during the media conference celebrating the 1000-day countdown to LA28 at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025.
May 8, 2026

Wasserman Buyers Narrow as PE Conflicts Sideline Major Firms

Private-equity firm TA Associates has removed itself from the running.
April 23, 2026

Want to Own a 100-Year-Old Austrian Soccer Team for $500?

Vestible’s first team is Kapfenberger SV 1919.
April 16, 2026

How Taylor Swift’s Catalog Led Her Former Label Boss Into Sports

Scott Borchetta profited greatly from the sale of Swift’s masters.
John and Louis Antonelli
Exclusive
April 13, 2026

Chernin Group Leads Funding Round in Social Box Score App ‘Real’

The app combines live stats and play-by-play with a social media experience.