Coinbase, one of the leading global platforms for cryptocurrency trading, has announced the renewal of its multi-year partnership with the New York Liberty, fresh winners of the WNBA 2024 title. But what makes this announcement truly groundbreaking is the payment method: the entire agreement will be settled in USDC.
This is the first time in WNBA history that a team has received a payment in cryptocurrency through Coinbase Prime, marking a decisive step towards the integration of digital currencies in the world of professional sports. This renewal not only consolidates an already solid collaboration but also represents a concrete example of how blockchain technologies can find real and tangible applications.
WNBA: Coinbase chooses New York Liberty for the fourth consecutive year
The collaboration between Coinbase and the New York Liberty is not new. For four consecutive seasons, the two entities have built a relationship based on a common culture of innovation and future vision. This new agreement aims to expand the initiatives already underway, offering engaging experiences for the fans and promoting education on digital resources.
According to Gary Sun, Chief Marketing Officer of Coinbase:
“Liberty fans bring passion, energy, and unwavering support to every game, and this enthusiasm continues to grow with the team’s success and the positive momentum of the WNBA.”
Sun emphasizes how this environment represents a unique opportunity to engage new audiences and showcase the potential of criptovalute.
The heart of the agreement is the payment in USDC, a stablecoin designed to offer the stability of the dollar with the advantages of blockchain technology: speed, transparency, and global accessibility. Supported by dollar reserves and equivalent assets, USDC is increasingly used as a secure and reliable payment instrument, even outside the traditional financial world.
Through Coinbase Prime, the platform dedicated to institutional investors, the Liberty will receive the entire compensation in USDC, demonstrating how cryptocurrencies can be used in a concrete manner even in fields like professional sports.
Coinbase and women’s sports: a commitment that starts from afar
Coinbase’s commitment to supporting professional women’s sports is not new. Since 2021, the company has been the first official crypto partner of the WNBA, a role that also extends to the NBA. The year 2025 will mark the fourth consecutive year in which Coinbase will be the official sponsor of the Commissioner’s Cup, the WNBA’s seasonal tournament that also includes a cryptocurrency prize pool for the players in the final.
In addition to the Liberty, Coinbase is also a partner of other professional basketball teams, including the Golden State Valkyries, the Golden State Warriors, and the Los Angeles Clippers, further strengthening its presence in the U.S. sports landscape.
One of the main objectives of this partnership is to increase awareness and understanding of cryptocurrencies among fans. Through events, educational content, and interactive initiatives, Coinbase and the Liberty aim to create a bridge between the world of sports and that of emerging technologies.
The agreement also includes the introduction of new experiences for the fans, who will be able to interact with the team and with the Coinbase platform in innovative ways, leveraging the potential offered by the blockchain to create a more direct and authentic connection with their favorite team.
A model for the future of sport
The decision of Coinbase and the New York Liberty to renew their partnership with a payment entirely in USDC represents an important precedent for the future of sports sponsorships. In an era where cryptocurrencies are gaining more and more space in the global economic landscape, this agreement shows that even the world of sports is ready to embrace the change.
With this renewal, the Liberty not only confirm their role as protagonists on the field, but also off it, becoming ambassadors of a new way of understanding commercial relationships and fan engagement.
The renewed alliance between Coinbase and the New York Liberty is much more than a simple sponsorship. It is a manifesto of innovation, a concrete example of how cryptocurrencies can integrate into traditional sectors like sports, bringing tangible benefits to both organizations and fans.
In a context where blockchain technology continues to evolve and expand its reach, this partnership represents a model to follow for other teams and sports leagues. And as the Liberty prepare to defend their WNBA title, they do so with the support of a partner who shares their vision of progress and transformation.
