AS Roma are delighted to announce a three-year partnership agreement with Zytara Labs, in collaboration with the DigitalBits Foundation, which will see the leading blockchain enterprise become the club’s Main Global Partner.
The extensive, first-of-its kind agreement with Zytara is worth €36 million ($42m) over the course of the partnership.
The two parties will embark on an exciting collaboration to merge their two worlds and offer increasingly innovative and unique new opportunities to fans around the world.
As part of the agreement, the DigitalBits logo will feature on the front of the club’s home, away and alternate shirts for the club’s Men’s, Women’s and Youth teams - in all matches around the world.
"We could not be more excited to have AS Roma officially join the DigitalBits ecosystem,” said Guido Fienga, AS Roma’s CEO.
“DigitalBits is a blockchain known for its speed, efficiency, and sustainability: traits that mirror the values of our club and will allow us to deepen the engagement with our fans worldwide in numerous ways."
The exciting new partnership will see AS Roma become the world’s first professional football organisation to embrace blockchain technology to such an extensive degree – as the DigitalBits blockchain will be completely integrated with the club to provide a seamless, cutting-edge experience for new and existing fans and users alike.
Al Burgio, Founder of Zytara and the DigitalBits blockchain, said: "This historic relationship with AS Roma, one of the most legendary football teams in the world, is transformative, not just for Zytara and DigitalBits, but for the blockchain industry as a whole.
“AS Roma will be expanding the collective imagination by demonstrating how blockchain technology can be leveraged to elevate the connection between sports teams and their community of fans and other supporters."
To celebrate the new partnership, the club will make the first 11 shirts to feature the DigitalBits logo, worn during the friendly win over Montecatini earlier this month, available to purchase - with the XDB cryptoasset offered as one of the available payment methods.
The historic shirts, worn in the first game with José Mourinho as the club’s coach, will go on sale from July 29.
In addition, a limited edition collection of 50 AS Roma commemorative rings will be produced to celebrate the new partnership. Twenty-five of the exclusive rings will be distributed to players and staff, with the remaining 25 available for fans to purchase from July 29 using XDB.
All proceeds from the two initiatives will be donated to Roma Cares, the club’s charity arm, to assist the foundation as it continues to support the local community through a range of campaigns and programs that aim to inspire unity, equality and improved social welfare across many demographics.
They are just the first in a series of planned collaborations between AS Roma and Zytara – as the two parties commit to using technology to create new and deeper connections with fans around the world.
Further details will be announced in due course.
Zytara Labs, a subsidiary of Zytara Inc., develops innovative products and platforms that leverage blockchain protocols, including DigitalBits.
DigitalBits is a layer-one blockchain protocol renowned for its security, speed, and cost-saving opportunity.
With the XDB platform ensuring micro-payments are completed both efficiently and cost-effectively, DigitalBits provides the foundation for real-world mass adoption of blockchain technology.
Stay tuned for more exciting announcements over the coming weeks and months!