NBA mega-star LeBron James has teamed up with Crypto.com to teach children about cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. The partnership between the LeBron James Family Foundation (LJFF) and the exchange promises to provide educational tools and resources to children in Akron, Ohio - LeBron's home town.
The resources will be provided through LeBron's 'I Promise School', an institute LeBron started for at-risk students in Akron in 2018. LeBron praised the benefits of blockchain technology in society:
Blockchain technology is revolutionizing our economy, sports and entertainment, the art world, and how we engage with one another. I want to ensure that communities like the one I come from are not left behind.
The multi-year partnership is set to provide a range of capabilities for students of the I Promise School and allow families to build foundations within Web 3 and blockchain technology. Crypto.com recently purchased the naming rights of the stadium where LeBron plays for the Las Angeles Lakers, Crytpo.com Stadium (formerly Staples Centre). This means that two of the biggest NBA stadiums in the USA are now sponsored by crypto exchanges, with FTX Arena in Miami home to the Miami Heat.
Web3, which is some consider to be the equitable evolution of the internet, will allow students and families to create, control and understand the technology as it becomes more mainstream.
Crypto.com CEO, Kris Marszalek gave a brief insight to the support offered:
We couldn’t be more proud to join LJFF in providing opportunities to increase educational and workforce development while delivering the tools and access that will empower the next generation to build a better and more inclusive future.
The precise tools and resources for students are not yet available, and we hope they will be public to allow other schools to leverage LeBron's generosity to help spread blockchain education.