- Former NFL player Russell Okung announces Bitball, a flag football league where players receive Bitcoin as payment
- The inaugural Bitball game will take place at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi on December 10, featuring 24 professional football players
- Okung’s 2020 Bitcoin salary conversion of $6.5 million is now worth approximately $21 million
- Bitcoin reached a new all-time high of $93,477 following Donald Trump‘s election victory
- The league aims to eliminate middlemen and create direct wealth-building opportunities for players and communities
Former NFL Player Launches Bitcoin-Powered Football League
Russell Okung, former Carolina Panthers offensive tackle, has announced the creation of Bitball, a flag football league that will compensate players exclusively in Bitcoin.
The announcement came via X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, marking a significant intersection between professional sports and cryptocurrency adoption.
Bitcoin Integration in Sports
Okung’s vision centers on creating a league where players earn Bitcoin directly, while fans maintain ownership stakes in the organization.
"No more middlemen taking their cuts or making backdoor deals," Okung told Decrypt in an interview. "Now, it’s about pure sport and pure Bitcoin, which means pure opportunity."
The concept emerged after Okung’s unsuccessful attempts to promote Bitcoin adoption among NFL team owners.
Inaugural Game Details
The first Bitball game will debut at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi on December 10.
Twenty-four professional football players will participate in the inaugural event.
Bitcoin conference ticket holders will receive free admission to the game.
Okung’s Bitcoin Success Story
In December 2020, Okung made headlines by converting half of his $13 million NFL salary into Bitcoin, approximately $6.5 million at the time.
The 240 Bitcoin he received then has appreciated to roughly $21 million at current market prices.
Okung confirmed he has never sold his Bitcoin holdings and continues to accumulate more.
Market Context
Bitcoin’s price reached a record high of $93,477 following recent political developments.
The cryptocurrency market has shown significant response to Donald Trump’s election victory.
Speculation about potential U.S. Bitcoin reserves under a Trump administration has influenced market sentiment.
Future Vision
Okung expressed interest in expanding the Bitcoin payment model to other sports, including baseball and basketball.
The former NFL player also maintains investments in Bitcoin mining operations, focusing on land and energy assets.
"When I first bought Bitcoin, I knew about the volatility and studied the market cycles," Okung stated. "Over a four-year horizon, Bitcoin generally goes up."
The Bitball initiative represents a new approach to professional sports compensation, potentially setting a precedent for future leagues and player payment structures.
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