Saturday, April 11, 2026

Crypto Exchanges Buy Up Super Bowl Ad Time

  • Crypto.com bought Super Bowl ad space, matching its crypto exchange rival FTX.
  • Both companies have snapped up sports sponsorships.
super-bowl-crypto.com-ftx
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula

Two major rivals will meet in next year’s Super Bowl: Crypto.com and FTX.

Crypto.com recently purchased a Super Bowl ad from NBC, which will air the game. Fellow cryptocurrency exchange FTX purchased an ad for the Feb. 13 broadcast earlier this year.

NBC is reportedly charging as much as $6.5 million for a 30-second spot, up from the $5.5 million CBS commanded for commercials during last February’s broadcast.

Crypto.com has made sports a major avenue for elevating its brand.

  • In November, the company took over naming rights of the Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers, and Kings home arena in a 20-year, $700 million deal.
  • In July, Crypto.com inked a 10-year, $175 million deal with UFC.
  • In June, it signed a five-year pact with Formula 1 worth $100 million.
  • It has also partnered with Angel City FC, Serie A, Paris Saint-Germain, and the Montreal Canadiens.

Crypto’s New Battleground

FTX has kept pace, scoring the naming rights to the Miami Heat’s arena in a 19-year, $135 million deal and the field at California Memorial Stadium for $17.5 million over 10 years.

“Diehard sports fans are typically going to be males, 18 to 35, with disposable income, which aligns nicely with the demographic of your typical retail trader,” FTX head of partnerships Sina Nader told Front Office Sports in October.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Matthew Schaefer/Front Office Sports

Matthew Schaefer Has the Hockey World in His Thrall

The teenage Islanders defenseman cannon-balled into the NHL.

College Athletes Are Ignoring NCAA Gambling Bans

“We were going to bet regardless,” says one former D-I athlete.
Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) and center Tomislav Ivisic (13) react in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center.

Loopholes Enable Int’l College Basketball Players to Cash In

Schools have scrambled to find a way to compensate international players.

Featured Today

‘The Sonics Never Died’: The Long Afterlife of Seattle NBA Merch

Inside “the largest team shop for a team that doesn’t exist.” 
Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA;UConn Huskies forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) dunks the ball against the Michigan State Spartans in the second half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena
March 28, 2026

March Madness Coaches Debate ‘Blueblood’ in NIL Era

The term’s meaning was up for debate at men’s March Madness.
Maxime Vachier Lagrave
March 25, 2026

The Planet’s Best Chess Players Are Having Their LIV Golf Moment

Chess’s most prestigious tournament is battling a splashy Saudi event.
Beau Brune/LSU
March 22, 2026

College Athletic Departments Are Becoming Media Companies

“There’s only so many tickets you can sell, but content is infinite.”
Feb 10, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Dianna Russini appears on the red carpet prior to the NFL Honors awards presentation at YouTube Theater. Mandatory Credit:
exclusive

The Athletic Probing Dianna Russini Over Mike Vrabel Photos

The Athletic previously released a statement defending the NFL reporter.
Apr 9, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Rory McIlroy tees off on the eighth hole during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
opinion
April 9, 2026

Why Prime Video Was Wise to Lay Up During Masters Debut

Amazon’s modern broadcast still felt traditional.
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel walks on field before Super Bowl LX against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
exclusive
April 9, 2026

Vrabel-Russini Photos Were Shopped to Multiple Outlets

The New York Post published the now-viral photos on Tuesday.
Sponsored

From Gold Medalist to Business Founder

Allyson Felix on investing in women’s sports and what comes next for track & LA28.
Apr 9, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Sam Burns putts on the 15th green during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
April 9, 2026

Amazon Passes Masters Test During Debut

Prime Video streamed two hours of coverage Thursday afternoon.
April 9, 2026

NFL Faces DOJ Investigation With Media-Rights Battle Heating Up

Washington’s growing scrutiny of the league is deeply layered.
Apr 4, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; ESPN reporter Holly Rowe during practice for the 2026 NCAA Women's Final Four at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
April 9, 2026

Holly Rowe Talks WNBA Draft, Auriemma-Staley Dustup

The ESPN reporter addressed a variety of women’s basketball topics.
April 8, 2026

Men’s March Madness Title Game Draws 18.3M Viewers, Up 23%

Michigan’s title win completes an emphatic run of audience increases.