Royal Caribbean Replaces XBTO as Inter Miami FC’s Headline Sponsor
Inter Miami FC has announced that cruise liner Royal Caribbean will take over as the team’s headline sponsor, replacing crypto firm XBTO. Royal Caribbean will have its logo featured on every Inter Miami jersey starting this year. The partnership is described as a significant moment for both companies, which are based in South Florida and committed to their local community.
Soccer Stars and Crypto
It’s not uncommon for soccer players to have ties to the crypto industry. For example, Lionel Messi recently kicked off his second year of partnership with crypto exchange Bitget by unveiling a film about his life. In addition, Cristiano Ronaldo was sued for promoting unlawful NFTs issued by Binance. The lawsuit claimed that Binance used celebrities like Ronaldo to convince consumers that it was a safe platform for cryptocurrency trading.
Crypto Displacement in Miami
Inter Miami FC’s decision to replace XBTO is part of a trend of crypto displacement in Miami. Despite being dubbed the “crypto capital” by Mayor Francis Suarez, the city has seen changes in sponsorships due to the collapse of crypto exchanges. Last year, the Miami Heat’s arena was renamed from FTX Arena to the Kaseya Center after FTX Exchange collapsed. XBTO has not yet commented on its replacement as Inter Miami FC’s sponsor.
Hot Take: Royal Caribbean Takes Over as Inter Miami FC Sponsor
Royal Caribbean’s sponsorship deal with Inter Miami FC marks a significant shift in partnerships within the sports and crypto industries. As XBTO loses its place as the team’s headline sponsor, Royal Caribbean steps in to make its mark on every Inter Miami jersey. This move reflects the ongoing relationship between sports and cryptocurrencies, with soccer players like Messi and Ronaldo being involved in the crypto space. It also highlights the changing dynamics in Miami, once hailed as the “crypto capital,” as crypto firms face challenges and new sponsors emerge.