Get ready to meet Matai Tagoa’i, one of the hottest prospects in college football, as this talented linebacker has just signed a deal with the University of Southern California, the USC, and guess what?
He’s opting to receive part of his paycheck in bitcoin through the Strike app.
New opportunities
For ages, college athletes were stuck in a no-win situation where they couldn’t profit from their own fame.
But thanks to the National Collegiate Athletic Association finally lifting that ban in 2021, players can now cash in on their name, image, and likeness, the so-called NIL.
This change has pretty much opened the floodgates for lucrative deals that can range from hundreds of thousands to even millions of dollars.
While we don’t have the details of Tagoa’i’s contract, like how much he’s actually making, it’s safe to say it’s a pretty sweet deal.
On giants’ shoulders
Tagoa’i isn’t the first athlete to jump on the bitcoin bandwagon, the Strike app has already helped several professional athletes convert their earnings into bitcoin, including former NFL star Russell Okung.
Back in 2020, Okung made headlines by converting half of his $6.5 million salary into bitcoin. Now, Tagoa’i is ready to follow suit.
“This is a game-changer for me. By taking part of my NIL earnings in bitcoin, I’m setting myself up for long-term financial growth.”
He also wants to inspire other young athletes to consider similar paths, because why not lead the way?
Helping Tagoa’i navigate this new financial frontier is Marquel Martin, the CEO and founder of 3Point0 Labs.
Martin knows a thing or two about connecting athletes with crypto opportunities, because he previously orchestrated a successful NFT launch for UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou.
“Too many athletes face financial challenges after their careers. We believe bitcoin offers a pathway to long-term stability and growth.”
Financial literacy
A 2009 Sports Illustrated article revealed that 78% of former NFL players face bankruptcy or financial stress after hanging up their cleats.
And within five years post-retirement, around 60% of former NBA players find themselves broke.
So how comes Bitcoin? According to Jack Mallers, CEO of Strike, inflation is eating away at cash’s value faster than you can say financial crisis. Traditional saving methods just don’t cut it anymore.
“Your quality of life will suffer. Bitcoin is the first asset built to solve this problem and protect against inflation.”
