Currency of the future or unregulated nightmare? Either way, the York Revolution (independent; Atlantic League) is poised to become the first professional baseball team to accept Bitcoins, a controversial online digital currency.
The organization has partnered with Crypto Coin Consulting, an online currency consulting group, to launch the program. The company is a startup launched in 2013 in York to provide businesses an outlet to accept digital currency.
Fans and Bitcoin enthusiasts may make a Bitcoin transaction for 2014 individual game tickets only starting Monday, March 24 by scanning the Revolution QR code with their mobile device. This can only be done in-person at the Apple Chevrolet Ticket office at Santander Stadium.
Bitcoins have been promoted as a totally digital alternative to traditional currency, but to say it’s in the early stages of adoption would be understated. The value of a Bitcoin flucutates much more than a traditional currency, and because it’s unregulated, there are irregularities in its management: Mt. Gox, one of the major exchanges, lost 850,000 Bitcoins to theft last month and then magically found 200,000 today as it seeks bankruptcy protection. Still, a lot of smart folks, like Alan Meckler (our former boss at Jupitermedia and internet.com), are bullish on bitcoins.
Revolution officials say utilizing Bitcoin to purchase tickets is a way to avoid typical online transaction fees when purchasing tickets.
“This is a good fit for us,” said President/GM Eric Menzer. “We like being first at things, and we like supporting local businesses that are trying to grow in Central Pennsylvania. This partnership allows us to do both.”
The 2014 Atlantic League season begins on April 24 when the Revolution hosts the Camden Riversharks at Santander Stadium at 6:30 p.m.
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