Top Football Prospect Chooses Bitcoin for College Contract Earnings

Matai Tagoa’i, one of the nation’s top college football prospects, has made waves by choosing to receive part of his compensation in bitcoin after signing a lucrative deal with the University of Southern California (USC). The 18-year-old linebacker, who will compete in the 2025 Polynesian Bowl All-Star game, is utilizing the payments app Strike to convert his “name, image, and likeness” (NIL) earnings into bitcoin.

This move highlights a growing trend among athletes exploring cryptocurrency as a tool for long-term financial stability and growth.

USC Linebacker Sets a Bitcoin Example for Young Athletes

Tagoa’i is one of the first college athletes to integrate BTC into his NIL deal, following in the footsteps of NFL players like Russell Okung, who famously converted half of his 2020 salary into bitcoin. While the specific terms of Tagoa’i’s deal remain undisclosed, similar agreements in college sports often reach hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.

“This is a game-changer for me,” Tagoa’i said. “By taking part of my NIL earnings in bitcoin, I’m setting myself up for long-term financial growth.”

The San Clemente High School graduate hopes his decision inspires other young athletes to think beyond traditional financial options.

BTC as a Solution to Athletes’ Financial Struggles

The deal was facilitated by Marquel Martin, CEO of 3Point0 Labs, a talent management firm known for introducing athletes to innovative financial opportunities. Martin highlighted the importance of bitcoin in providing athletes with a hedge against inflation and a pathway to financial security.

“Too many athletes face financial challenges after their careers, and we believe bitcoin offers a pathway to long-term stability and growth,” Martin said.

Strike CEO Jack Mallers echoed this sentiment, emphasizing bitcoin’s ability to counter the effects of inflation. “Traditional saving methods don’t cut it anymore. Bitcoin is the first asset built to protect against inflation,” Mallers said.

With Tagoa’i setting the stage, his move could encourage more athletes to embrace cryptocurrency as a key part of their financial strategy.