Crypto’s new sponsorship venture in Premier League football
Southampton FC, a top-flight English soccer club, has recently announced a groundbreaking partnership with Rollbit, an online cryptocurrency and non-fungible token (NFT) gambling company. This partnership marks Rollbit’s first venture into the Premier League and signifies a new era of sponsorship in football, where crypto-based companies are increasingly making their mark.
The contract covers the men’s first team and also secures brand visibility for Rollbit around St Mary’s Stadium through LED advertising and hospitality. This partnership is a significant milestone for both parties, with Southampton FC recently securing their return to the Premier League and Rollbit expanding its presence in the sports industry.
Rollbit takes over from Sportsbet.io as Southampton’s front-of-shirt partner. Sportsbet.io, a multicurrency sports betting firm, had sponsored the club since the 2020/21 campaign, replacing LD Sports when the Chinese brand’s three-year deal ended prematurely. The official release describes Rollbit as an ‘innovator in the world of online gaming and entertainment’, highlighting the company’s commitment to innovation and excellence in the rapidly evolving world of online gaming and crypto.
Southampton FC joins a growing list of English top-tier sides that have a gambling firm as their new main sponsor for the 2024/25 season, including Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Leicester City, and Wolverhampton Wanderers. This trend reflects the increasing influence of crypto and online gambling companies in the world of sports sponsorship.
Crypto takes the field
Greg Baker, Southampton’s chief revenue officer, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, “We’re pleased to welcome Rollbit, a leader in the online gaming space, into the Saints family as our official front of shirt partner. This partnership marks a dynamic fusion of technology and sport, at an exciting time for the club as we embark on our journey back in the Premier League. Together, we look forward to creating unforgettable moments for our fans.”
Sam Norman, head of partnerships for Rollbit, echoed these sentiments, saying, “Rollbit is delighted to announce its latest partnership with Southampton FC following on from their incredible win in the playoff final. We feel Southampton is the perfect club to embark on this journey with as we look to continue to expand our presence globally with one of the Premier League’s most respected teams.”
As crypto continues to make strides in the world of sports sponsorship, this partnership between Southampton FC and Rollbit represents a significant step forward, bringing crypto and sports together in Premier League football.
