Australian NRL rugby league team the South Sydney Rabbitohs has entered into a partnership with fantasy sports, betting and online gaming platform PlayUp.
The two-year deal covers the 2018 and 2019 seasons and names PlayUp as the official wagering sponsor of the Rabbitohs. PlayUp’s branding will also appear on the team’s shorts as part of the agreement.
The deal marks PlayUp’s first major sports sponsorship deal in Australia. The company will promote its PlayUp.com daily fantasy sports website to Rabbitohs fans, who will be encouraged to take part in free challenges on the platform.
PlayUp will also promote the PlayChip Utlity Token, a crypto-asset built on the Ethereum blockchain that is designed for use as a universal payment and rewards currency for gaming and wagering platforms. The Rabbitohs said the sponsorship integration marks the first time a cryptocurrency has become involved in a major Australian professional sport.
PlayUp chief executive Daniel Simic said: “NRL is an increasingly popular sport on our PlayUp.com platform as our Australian and New Zealand user base grows. Through this significant sponsorship we now have access to one of Australia's most loyal supporter and membership groups, while gaining exposure throughout the wider NRL fan base.”