Tennis player Naomi Osaka becomes Global Ambassador of crypto exchange FTX

Renowned professional tennis player and activist Naomi Osaka has become the latest prominent sports figure to enter into a long-term partnership with cryptocurrency exchange FTX in order to “increase access and opportunity for women in crypto.”

According to a press release published on March 21, Osaka will become a “comprehensive partner” of FTX and will be wearing the exchange’s logo during competitions, starting with the Miami Open, as well as producing “content aimed at young women.”

A four-time Grand Slam champion, @naomiosaka is changing the game on and off the court. We’re incredibly proud to call her our newest partner!

🤝 working to make #bitcoin and crypto more accessible. pic.twitter.com/aA3wd7eY0r

— FTX (@FTX_Official) March 21, 2022

Notably, she will also get an equity stake in FTX Trading Limited and will be receiving compensation in crypto, the release added.

“We have seen the statistics about how few women are part of crypto by comparison, which kind of mirrors the inequality we see in other financial markets,” Osaka said in the announcement.

“Cryptocurrencies started with the goal of being accessible to everyone and breaking down barriers to entry. I’m excited to partner with FTX to get back to that mission and to innovate on new ways to reach more people and further democratize the space.”

Not slowing down

With Osaka becoming one of the first major female professional athletes to team up with FTX, the exchange’s sports partnership history continues to gradually grow even more impressive.

As CryptoSlate reported, FTX partnered with Stephen Curry, one of the biggest stars in basketball, last September. As the exchange’s global ambassador, he also received an equity stake in FTX Trading Limited.

Prior to that, the platform teamed up with сelebrity couple Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen in June 2021, offering them similar conditions.

“Tom and Gisele are both legends and they both reached the pinnacle of what they do,” Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder and chief executive officer of FTX, told Bloomberg at the time. “When we think about what FTX represents, we want to be the best product that is out there.”

Not to mention $135 million FTX paid for the Miami Heat stadium’s naming rights. The platform also became the “official crypto exchange” of Major League Baseball last June.