Manchester City Football Club has announced an expansion of its partnership with cryptocurrency exchange OKX, making OKX the team’s official sleeve sponsor. The multi-year deal, reportedly worth over $70 million, will see OKX’s branding prominently displayed on the left sleeve of both the men’s and women’s first-team playing jerseys.
According to Forbes, the agreement solidifies OKX’s commitment to supporting Manchester City, with the partnership set to span three years. This comes after OKX became the club’s official cryptocurrency partner in March 2022 and later expanded the deal to sponsor the team’s training kits.
The collaboration between Manchester City and OKX is mutually beneficial. OKX gains valuable exposure and brand visibility through its association with one of the most successful football clubs in the English Premier League. Manchester City, on the other hand, secures a significant financial injection to support its ongoing operations and further strengthen its position in the footballing world.
Manchester City’s recent achievements on the pitch have only enhanced the club’s appeal. The team clinched a historic “treble” during the past season, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League. With a revenue of $780 million, Manchester City topped the charts as the highest-earning soccer club globally. Additionally, Brand Finance estimates the club’s brand value at a staggering $1.6 billion, solidifying its status as the most valuable brand among soccer teams worldwide.
OKX, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, aims to leverage its partnership with Manchester City to raise awareness about blockchain technology and its various use cases. Haider Rafique, CMO of OKX, emphasized the significance of the collaboration in an email to Decrypt, stating, “Our Manchester City partnership is intended to help the world learn more about blockchain and its use cases, including what we can do with our partnership to go beyond fan tokens. We believe Web3 infrastructure allows fans to have more transparency and ownership and interact with their favorite players in a new way.”
The alliance between OKX and Manchester City exemplifies the growing convergence of sports and cryptocurrency sectors. Such partnerships not only foster innovation but also provide fans with unique opportunities to engage with their favorite teams and players using cutting-edge blockchain technology.
As the world of sports continues to embrace cryptocurrencies and blockchain, collaborations like the one between OKX and Manchester City serve as a testament to the expanding possibilities that lie ahead.
