The Polkadot community is considering a significant sponsorship opportunity worth $8.8 million with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami Football Club, aiming to leverage the football club’s extensive global reach and exposure to showcase the capabilities of the Polkadot ecosystem strategically.

This initiative represents the latest strategic move by the Polkadot community to increase the blockchain network’s visibility beyond the crypto industry through sports-related marketing efforts.

Inter Miami, owned by David Beckham, holds a prominent position in the American soccer league and boasts one of the largest social media followings among sports teams in the United States. The club has gained substantial public attention after signing several high-profile players, including Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Lionel Messi, and Luis Suárez.

The proposed sponsorship would cover the 2024 and 2025 seasons, featuring Polkadot’s branding on Inter Miami training kits. This move is significant as training kit sponsorships have become highly sought-after assets due to the way fans consume content on digital channels, providing continuous behind-the-scenes access.

The proposal argues that partnering with Inter Miami would elevate Polkadot to a globally recognized brand, especially with the arrival of global icons like Lionel Messi. Additionally, the agreement includes Polkadot being designated as Inter Miami CF’s official Blockchain Technology Partner, with plans to amplify the partnership through various initiatives, including a dedicated landing page on the Polkadot website and activation activities within the stadium. Furthermore, the partnership would involve the creation of non-fungible tokens to engage with Inter Miami’s global fanbase.

If approved, Polkadot would join other cryptocurrency-related firms sponsoring football teams’ training kits, such as OKX with Manchester City and Tezos with Manchester United. Early indicators from community voting suggest strong support for the proposal, with approximately 70% of votes favoring the initiative.