- AntPool will be a major sponsor of the 2017-2018 season.
- An AntPool exhibition will be opening in the Toyota Arena next year.
- The Rockets are the most popular American Basketball team in China.
The 2017-2018 season of the National Basketball Association (NBA) is about to see some infusion of cryptocurrency as AntPool, a bitcoin mining company has signed up to be a major sponsor of the season.
The amount they will be giving is currently unspecified and this information was revealed via a statement on Facebook on the 19th of September 2018.
Li Haijao, the head of AntPool’s overseas operations said that she feels it is important for companies like AntPool to lead the conversation regarding cryptocurrency and help bring In more consumers into the industry.
A Major Move
The NBA is a huge influence on American culture, with an average viewership of 1.28 million people.
Sports fans are also paying attention to who is sponsoring which team. This makes sponsoring the Houston Rockets a very smart move on AntPool’s part as they will essentially be advertised to millions of people at every game.
This will not only sensitize cryptocurrency to the public but also normalize cryptocurrency firms as legitimate and profitable businesses associated with one of America’s most beloved sports.
Setting Up Shop
In anticipation of the upcoming season, AntPool intends to set up an exhibition at the Rocket’s home stadium, the Toyota Center in Houston.
The exhibition will begin on the 19th of January 2019. There is also talk of the AntPool logo being displayed on the outside billboards of the arena as well as that of Bitman, AntPool’s parent company.
Getting this coveted spot will be another major advertising coup for AntPool as the billboard is seen by over 900 million people in China who watch the broadcasted games of the Houston Rockets.
A Strategic Move
AntPool has been looking to expand outside China in the last few years, particularly to the U.S and Texas seems to be their first area of concentration
They have already pledged $500 million to the city of Texas for internal development over the next 7 years and this move if far from random.
First of all, Texas is a very highly populated state. Houston, where the Rockets are based, is the most populated city in Texas which helps provide a large customer base.
The choice of the Houston Rockets is also very strategic as the Rockets are very popular in China due to the drafting of Chinese player Yao Ming from 2002 to 2011 when he retired.
