Friday, August 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

Mar 6, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots against New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Lakers Join Sixers, Knicks, Spurs Atop NBA’s National TV Slate

The Thunder, meanwhile, will play 30 national TV games this season.
Mar 18, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; General view of the Moda Center exterior prior to the second round of the 2015 NCAA Basketball Championship.

Portland Votes to Add $120 Million to Moda Center Renovations

The team now has $586 million toward renovations approved.

Knicks’ Title Run Creates $67 Million Bump for MSG Sports

The NBA team’s parent company reported across-the-board financial lifts. 
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

NBA Owners ‘Stunned’ by Lakers Sale, Knicks’ $67M Run, WTA Sex Testing Starts

0:00

Featured Today

Trendy Golf Hat Divide Is More Than a Fashion Fight

As golf has gotten trendier, so has the sport’s style.
Joey Spallina of the Maryland Whipsnakes
August 6, 2026

How Eye Black Became ‘War Paint’ on the Field

“You’re going into battle, doing something you only do on game days.”
August 6, 2026

Tom Brady Explains His Aggressive Push Into Trading Cards

Brady talked to FOS about his eponymous card company.
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings - Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India - April 23, 2026 Mumbai Indians' Suryakumar Yadav in action
August 5, 2026

India Is Stealing Cricket’s Throne From England and Australia

India’s insatiable appetite for cricket has shifted the traditional locus of power.
WPBL
July 30, 2026

Who’s Playing Women’s Professional Baseball?

Sixty players from 11 countries are descending on Illinois for six weeks.
Varsity Brands

Varsity Brands CEO on PE Ownership and the Business of Cheer

Varsity includes a cheerleading business and an athletic apparel division.
Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Adam Schefter talks on a set before the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Washington Huskies at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
July 31, 2026

Schefter Among Early Investors to Cash In on Underdog Sale

Schefter first invested in Underdog in 2021.
Huddle in the Hamptons
August 4, 2026

Why Investors Want to Bring Athletes Into Ownership Groups

LeBron James and Tom Brady have ownership stakes in multiple sports teams.
Sponsored

Saints Great Turns to Ownership

Marques Colston discusses his Champions Fund launch and finding success after football.
At Five Points Sports Bar, in Levittown, Philadelphia Eagles fans watch first quarter action, in Super Bowl LVII, in Arizona, on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023.
July 31, 2026

NFL Sunday Ticket Will Still Be Available by Satellite at Sports Bars

DirecTV’s previous deal expired after the 2025 NFL season.
Underdog Fantasy
July 30, 2026

Underdog Sold to U.K.’s IG Group in Potential $2.15B Deal

IG Group is making a big bet on Underdog’s prediction-market business.
Marques Colston
July 30, 2026

Marques Colston: Why Everyone Is Buying Into Soccer Clubs

Colston’s The Champion Fund invested in Ipswich Town.
Jul 19, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) hits an RBI single during the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Sutter Health Park.
July 23, 2026

Mark Cuban, Rashaun Williams Firm Buys Stake in A’s

It’s the first investment by Harbinger Sports Partners, which formed last May.