Former NFL Player Russell Okung Launches Bitcoin-Paid Flag Football League, Bitball, in Abu Dhabi

Hey, Bitcoin fans! Are you ready for some football? Former NFL player Russell Okung is kicking off a new flag football league called Bitball. The exciting part? Players will get paid in Bitcoin!

Okung announced this venture on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Thursday. He shared his vision for a league where players earn Bitcoin and fans can own real stakes in the game. “No more middlemen taking their cuts or making backdoor deals,” he said. “It’s all about pure sport and pure Bitcoin, which means pure opportunity.”

After leaving the NFL, Okung wanted to show league owners the benefits of Bitcoin. “That’s the revolution,” he explained. “We’re moving away from athletes going broke and losing generational wealth.”

He reached out to players, including friends and former NFL stars, and they were excited about the idea. “It’s been amazing to see people lean in and get involved,” he said.

The first Bitball game will take place on December 10 at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi. It will feature 24 professional football players. If you have a ticket to the Bitcoin conference, you can attend the game for free!

Back in December 2020, Okung made headlines by announcing that he would take half of his $13 million salary—around $6.5 million—in Bitcoin. He still holds all of his Bitcoin and continues to buy more. Although he didn’t share his current holdings, the 240 Bitcoin he received back then would be worth about $21 million today. He’s committed to holding on to it.

“I didn’t do this ‘pay me in Bitcoin’ thing to swap it for dollars,” Okung said. “For me, it was about transforming my family’s future. Bitcoin isn’t just an investment; it represents freedom in digital form.”

He finds the purchasing power of Bitcoin exciting. “I took a risk, and it turned out to be a smart one,” he noted. Okung sees potential in building assets with Bitcoin and believes it can create new value. “I also invest in Bitcoin mining, so I’m interested in land and energy,” he added. “Energy, especially, is key for a thriving civilization.”

Okung believes that Bitcoin and building civilization go hand in hand. “If we focus on what an enlightened society needs,” he said, “we can create sustainable businesses that meet our needs, whether in cash or fiat.”

After Donald Trump’s election victory, Bitcoin and the crypto market saw a surge. Bitcoin reached several all-time highs, peaking at $93,477 on Wednesday. Some speculate that Bitcoin could hit $1 million if Trump follows through on his promise to create a Bitcoin Reserve in the U.S. Okung highlighted the significance of Trump’s support, especially his appearance at the Bitcoin conference earlier this year.

“That’s a serious gesture, showing that Bitcoin supporters are finally being taken seriously,” he stated. “We’re a legitimate and powerful voting block that can shape America’s future and beyond.”

Even with all the excitement, Okung knows that Bitcoin can be volatile. Still, he stays focused on the long-term picture. “When I first bought Bitcoin, I understood the market’s ups and downs. I expected highs and lows, but one thing stood out: over four years, Bitcoin tends to go up,” he explained. “If people worldwide see Bitcoin as valuable, it’s unlikely to ever go to zero. That gives me confidence, even after the FTX fallout.”

Okung is optimistic about Bitcoin’s role in sports. He envisions a future where other leagues, like baseball and basketball, pay athletes in Bitcoin. “If no one else is competitive enough to do it, then I will,” he said. “But for now, we’re focused on flag football.”