First NHL Team To Accept Cryptocurrency Revealed

[mkdf_dropcaps type=”normal” color=”#f55549″ background_color=””]B[/mkdf_dropcaps]
eginning next season, the San Jose Sharks will be the first National Hockey League (NHL) team to accept cryptocurrency.

According to SportsPro Media, franchise owner Sharks Sport and Entertainment, is working with BitPay to allow fans to use Bitcoin, Dogecoin, Ethereum and more, for purchases like season tickets, hospitality boxes and sponsorship deals.

The Sharks are the latest in a growing number of US-based sporting teams to start accepting cryptocurrency with Major League Baseballs’ Oakland Athletics and the National Basketball Association’s Sacramento Kings also announcing their use of the new form of payment.

Sharks president Jonathan Becher tweeted they’ll accept cryptocurrency for large or recurring payments while incorporating crypto-payment options in other areas of their business “will be evaluated over time.”

These other areas include single-game tickets, merchandise and food and beverage sales.

Noting the normalisation of the use of cryptocurrency, Becher told Sports Business Journal they are already accepting crypto payments through their use of PayPal.

“We’re accepting PayPal, so then by definition, we’re accepting cryptocurrency,” Becher said.

“Why not embrace it and make it more viable as opposed to just doing it through a third party?” he said

According to The New York Post, the Sharks are also interested in additional blockchain goods such as collectable NFTs (non-fungible tokens) with Becher stating: “I do think the blockchain will have more of an impact on sports and entertainment than people realise.”