Inter Miami, heavyweights from North America’s Major League Soccer (MLS), have brought in blockchain software brand Polkadot as a significant commercial partner.
Through a deal unveiled today, Polkadot (technically a decentralized autonomous organization) is now the Florida club’s global training partner.
The Polkadot logo will take the prime brand position on the training kit tops of the men’s Inter Miami first team, including while warming up for matches.
In addition, the blockchain firm will engage in interactive fan activations, prominent branding at the club’s Florida Blue Training Center, and in digital campaigns.
Polkadot will also have a presence at the club’s Chase Stadium, “with major signage on the interior and exterior.”
Euan Warren, vice president of partnerships at Inter Miami, has said: “Partnering with Polkadot as our Global Training Partner is a natural fit for Inter Miami. Our shared vision for innovation makes this a collaboration that will resonate with our fans worldwide.”
A commercial tie-up between the two parties was first reported as a possibility in mid-April, with Polkadot at that point (media reported) proposing a training kit sponsorship across 2024 and 2025 worth $8.8 million.
A decentralized autonomous organization is one which is managed wholly or partly by computer programming - a member-owned organization without formal leadership.
Late last month, Inter Miami announced a commercial deal with the Discount Tire brand.
The team’s front-of-shirt sponsor for the ongoing 2024 campaign - they currently sit top of the MLS’ Eastern Conference - is Royal Caribbean.
Inter Miami next play on Saturday, September 1, away to Chicago Fire.
In terms of well-known soccer clubs with blockchain partnerships, meanwhile, earlier this week German heavyweights Borussia Dortmund added blockchain cryptocurrency firm BlockDAG (BDAG) as their latest premium partner in a record three-year deal.