USC Commit Matai Tagoa'i to Accept Part of NIL Contract Earnings in Bitcoin

Incoming USC linebacker Matai Tagoa'i announced Thursday that he will accept part of his NIL package in bitcoin.

"This is a game-changer for me," he said in a statement (h/t Pete Nakos of On3). "By taking part of my NIL earnings in Bitcoin, I'm setting myself up for long-term financial growth. I'm grateful to Strike, House of Victory and 3Point0 Labs for helping me take this step. I'm proud to be part of this innovative collaboration that's redefining the future of college athletics and finance and hope to set an example for other young athletes to think about their financial future."

Tagoa'i is considered the No. 87 overall prospect in the Class of 2025, per 247Sports' Composite Rankings, the No. 13 linebacker and the No. 14 player from the state of California.

Greg Biggins of the recruiting site described him as a "long, athletic defender who plays inside and outside 'backer" but could develop into "an edge rusher in college," adding that "when you look at his ability to play in space, rush the passer or even drop in coverage, he's an easy player to project as a national recruit with the talent to play for just about anyone in the country."

As for bitcoin, he is hardly the first athlete to accept payment in that form.

NFL offensive lineman Russell Okung was one of the pioneers of cryptocurrency in sports, converting half of his $13 million salary back in 2020 in bitcoin. Assuming he received around 240 bitcoins at the time—and assuming he held onto those bitcoins—that investment is now worth about $23.3 million.

More recently, Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler were paid $5 million worth in bitcoin for winning The Crypto.com Showdown over Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka

"I don't know a whole lot about crypto, but this is good enough motivation to do some research," Scheffler said on TNT after winning the event.

The WNBA also issued $5,000 worth of cryptocurrency to every participating player in the WNBA's Commissioner's Cup, while a number of athletes have converted part of their salaries into crypto, including Aaron Rodgers and Klay Thompson.