The First Pro Soccer Player Paid in Bitcoin: Alex Crognale

In this episode of the Bitcoin Sports Network Podcast, Chris and Frieda sit down with professional soccer player Alex Crognale who is currently playing as a defender for San Antonio FC and is the first USL player to take part of his salary in Bitcoin.

Alex made headlines in 2021 as the first USL player to receive part of his salary in Bitcoin through Bitwage—and he hasn’t looked back since. From being the “Bitcoin guy” in the locker room to helping teammates rethink their financial future, Alex shares how proof of work both on and off the field has shaped his mindset around wealth, health, and long-term freedom. He also talks about orange-pilling fellow athletes, investing over homeownership, and how Bitcoin has impacted how he reshaped his mindset around family, food, and freedom.

Whether you're into Bitcoin, sports, or just hungry to reclaim financial sovereignty—this one’s for you.

About Alex Crognale:
- Pro soccer player currently with San Antonio FC in the USL Championship
- 9 years in professional soccer; previously played in MLS and other USL teams
- Discovered Bitcoin around 2020 during COVID
- Became the first USL player to get paid in Bitcoin (via Bitwage) in 2021
- Sees parallels between proof of work in soccer and Bitcoin

Key Topics:
- Becoming the first USL player to get paid in Bitcoin
- Financial literacy for athletes with short career spans
- Unit bias, volatility, and overcoming early Bitcoin doubts
- How Bitwage works to convert salary into BTC
- Lessons from real estate investing vs Bitcoin
- Long-term thinking and raising a Bitcoin family
- How Bitcoin reshaped his approach to food, health, and mindset

Chapters:
00:00 – Intro
00:28 – Alex's background and Bitcoin journey
01:45 – Orange-pilling the locker room
03:50 – Longevity and proof of work in sports
05:10 – Discovering Bitcoin during COVID
07:30 – Early touchpoints: Litecoin to Bitcoin
13:20 – Financial illiteracy in sports leagues
17:15 – Debunking the American Dream of homeownership
21:05 – Volatility and long-term conviction
26:10 – Real estate vs Bitcoin: lessons and risks
31:30 – Raising a Bitcoin-savvy daughter
33:50 – From Bitwage setup to getting paid in Bitcoin
36:55 – Why even paycheck-to-paycheck folks should consider Bitcoin
40:10 – What to do before buying Bitcoin
42:20 – Final thoughts & where to follow Alex

Alex Crognale:
Twitter: https://x.com/alexcrognale
Watch him play: San Antonio FC (Streaming on ESPN+) https://www.sanantoniofc.com/
Educational Video Reference by Alex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtFOxNbmD38

Connect with us:
Website: https://www.bitcoinsports.network/
Twitter: https://x.com/BSN_Events

Exciting Events on the Horizon:
Website: https://bitcoingolfchampionship.com/
Twitter: https://x.com/Golf_BGC