Naomi Osaka, once one of the top-ranked tennis players in the world, has become the latest sports and entertainment figure to endorse cryptocurrency exchange FTX.
In an announcement on Monday, FTX said that Osaka will take an equity stake in the exchange and receive an undisclosed amount of cryptocurrency as compensation for its support. According to the cryptocurrency exchange, the tennis star will be part of a “long-term partnership” aimed at attracting women into the space.
“We’ve seen the statistics on how few women are a part of crypto by comparison, which mirrors the inequality we see in other financial markets,” Osaka said. “Cryptocurrencies started with the goal of being accessible to everyone and breaking down barriers to entry.”
If @StephenCurry30 @TomBrady and @giseleofficial are in then you know I am too! Excited for the journey ahead with @FTX_Official and SBF_FTX pic.twitter.com/ydrjhoKPaL
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) March 21, 2022
If @StephenCurry30 @TomBrady and @giseleofficial are there then you know I am too! Excited for the journey ahead with @FTX_Official and SBF_FTX
As an ambassador for FTX, Osaka was joined by figures including seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen, and NBA star Stephen Curry. The exchange said it will “creatively direct and produce content” aimed at a global audience, and will feature the FTX logo during its Miami Open competition, starting March 21.
The announcement followed FTX founder and CEO Sam Bankman-Fried saying during Australian Blockchain Week that the exchange will open a subsidiary in Australia. Local senator Andrew Bragg said at the same event that he will introduce legislation aimed at addressing issues of crypto custody, taxation, and DAO operations.
Osaka, previously ranked as the best singles player by the Women’s Tennis Association, is not entirely new to the space. Along with her sister Mari de ella, launched a collection of non-fungible tokens in August 2021 that sold for approximately $600,000. The tennis star has also expressed an interest in cryptocurrencies, including Dogecoin (DOGE), hinting that token projects are “going to come along.”
Many celebrities, including major sports figures and movie and TV stars, have become the faces of crypto businesses as the space grows. Actor Matt Damon hit Crypto.com in an October 2021 mailer that has been mocked by comedy shows like South Park and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
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