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Bitcoin isn’t just a buzzword in the locker room anymore – it’s quickly becoming part of the paycheck. NFL star Odell Beckham Jr. famously converted his $750,000 base salary and $500,000 bonus from the Los Angeles Rams into Bitcoin back in 2021. While the move was controversial at the time due to volatility, Bitcoin’s resurgence above $100,000 in 2025 has put Beckham back in the spotlight, with his compensation now worth roughly $2.17 million.
Similarly, Russell Okung paved the way in 2020 by taking half of his $13 million salary in Bitcoin. That portion – about $6.5 million at the time – has since ballooned to nearly $20 million. And running back Saquon Barkley shifted his $10 million in annual endorsement income entirely into Bitcoin, citing it as a hedge against inflation and a long-term wealth strategy.
Basketball stars like Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala have also joined the list of high-profile athletes embracing Bitcoin reflecting a new era of financial freedom in sports.
Why Bitcoin? The Big Motivations
So what’s driving this shift from cash to Bitcoin? A few big reasons stand out:
- Long-Term Growth Potential
Unlike fiat, which loses value to inflation, Bitcoin has historically delivered outsized returns. Okung’s salary tripled in just a few years – a result few traditional financial products could match. - Inflation Hedge
Athletes with short career windows want their earnings to hold value. Barkley openly admitted that fiat loses purchasing power too quickly, while Bitcoin gives him a store of value for the long haul. - Global Portability & Freedom
Many athletes play abroad, travel internationally, and live in multiple countries. Bitcoin cuts through borders and banking headaches, giving them direct ownership of their wealth without middlemen. - Cultural Alignment
Bitcoin has become more than an asset – it’s a movement. Athletes, especially younger ones, resonate with the ethos of financial independence and decentralized power, much like their fanbases.
Sports Betting Meets Bitcoin
Just as athletes are stacking Bitcoin off the field, fans are increasingly using it in the stands – or in front of their screens. Duelbits Casino, one of the fastest-growing iGaming platforms, lets you bet on your favorite athletes and teams using Bitcoin.
When Beckham Jr. converted his salary into BTC, it was a bold move that showed confidence in the future of sound money. On Duelbits, fans can capture that same energy by placing wagers in Bitcoin, aligning their passion for sports with the same currency their heroes are being paid in.
The Future of Athlete Bitcoin Adoption
As more leagues, teams, and sponsors increase their own bitcoin adoption, it’s becoming a legitimate part of the playbook. For athletes, it’s about long-term wealth and independence. For fans, it’s about connection: betting in the same currency your favorite player gets paid in.
With Bitcoin now above the $100K milestone for a considerable amount of time, the overlap between athlete salaries, endorsements, and fan betting is only set to grow. And with platforms like Duelbits, sports fans don’t just have to watch the headlines – they can live them.
Learn more about how Duelbits is bringing Bitcoin-powered prediction markets to life – where data meets interaction and users drive the market.
