The Oakland Athletics (Oakland A’s) are putting their company straight into the world of cryptocurrency, with the ballclub announcing they are now accepting bitcoin as payment for season tickets.
With a single bitcoin sitting currently at approximately USD$60 000 (AUD$76 895), there is currently a slight discount at a regular box price of A’s home games, priced at USD$64 500 (AUD$82 662) in United States currency.
In an interview with Sportico, A’s president, Dave Kaval, said the timing was perfect to delve into the cryptocurrency world.
“Part of the reason we’re doing this is the price makes sense,” Kaval said.
“Since a bitcoin is worth about the same as a season suite it gives our fans some different choices.
“It kind of tests it to see if it’s something we’d like to do in more aspects of our business.
“So you’re obviously getting a little bit of a bitcoin discount right now,” he said.
Bitcoin has been receiving plenty of coverage in the media recently for its volatile nature of fluctuating value.
On December 31, a single bitcoin sold for USD$29 000 (AUD$37 050), where is quickly rose to a recent high of USD$62 000 (AUD$79 211) just a week ago.
Kaval suggested another reason for this decision was being able to jump on the hot topic of bitcoin.
“The other reason is, especially in the Bay Area you see more people discussing or transacting with bitcoin,” Kaval said.
“We’re trying to be innovative in an era that we’re in the forefront.
“The A’s have always had a long history of innovating, so we felt this is a great way to do that,” he said.