Metis Scores Major Sponsorship in Korean Baseball

Metis, the Web3 layer-2 blockchain platform, has officially stepped onto Korea’s baseball diamond through an official partnership with the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO League. In a first-of-its-kind move, Metis became “the first blockchain to sponsor a Korean baseball team,” with the Heroes debuting Metis branding during the 2025 season. Fans will now see the Metis logo prominently on the left side of the players’ helmets and on stadium LED boards around home plate. This high-visibility sponsorship was announced in mid-May and marks a strategic push to introduce AI and blockchain technology to Korea’s passionate sports audiences.

• First-ever blockchain sponsor in KBO: Metis partners with the Kiwoom Heroes for the 2025 season, giving Korea’s professional baseball fans a new blockchain-powered ally
  
• High-profile brand exposure: The Metis name and logo are featured on player helmets and stadium advertising boards, reaching tens of thousands of attendees at each game
  
• Huge audience reach: KBO games routinely draw massive crowds (for example, a recent match at LG Twins’ Jamsil Stadium attracted 23,750 spectators) and nationwide broadcasts, amplifying Metis’s visibility.
  
• Local market expansion: This sponsorship follows Metis’s recent listing on Korea’s top crypto exchange, positioning Metis to connect with Korea’s tech-savvy community
  

Reaching Millions of Fans through Sports Marketing

Korean baseball enjoys immense popularity and packed stadiums. In fact, the KBO League set records in 2025, with over 3 million fans in attendance by early May. Key matchups regularly sell out – for example, an LG Twins home game in early May drew 23,750 fans. By placing Metis branding at games (including those of the Heroes and marquee games at other stadiums), the project gains exposure to a large, engaged audience. Sports marketing gives Metis access not just to the 10,000+ fans in the stands, but also to those watching on TV and streaming, exponentially increasing brand awareness.

This is especially significant at big rival games – with teams like the Samsung Lions and LG Twins enjoying large followings, games at venues like Jamsil Stadium command tens of thousands of viewers. A recent Children’s Day clash at Jamsil (Twins vs. Doosan) sold out with 23,750 in attendance. Similarly, other games (e.g. Samsung Lions vs. Hanwha Eagles) draw on the order of 15,000–20,000 fans. Metis’s presence on-site and in broadcast signage ensures the brand is front-and-center amid these high-profile events.

Strengthening Metis’s Korean Footprint

This baseball sponsorship is a natural extension of Metis’s efforts to grow in South Korea. Earlier in 2024, Metis broadened its Korean reach by listing METIS on Bithumb, Korea’s second-largest crypto exchange. That move made Metis more accessible to Korean traders and underscored the company’s commitment to the local market. As Metis put it, the Korea listing “solidifies its position in one of the world’s fastest growing crypto markets” and taps into “some of the most enthusiastic and engaged crypto communities”.

Now, by integrating into Korean sports culture, Metis is directly engaging with everyday fans. The project describes this collaboration as “a first step” toward promoting AI and blockchain technology in the Korean market. Metis plans to follow the initial helmet and stadium ads with “more activities” to boost brand recognition and bring Web3 to fans. In short, this sports marketing initiative complements Metis’s digital expansion – together, they help spread Metis’s Web3 vision in Korea.

Bridging Web3 and the Community

Importantly, this partnership is being framed as a community-positive effort, not just a marketing splash. Metis’s Korea team emphasizes that the deal helps “weave blockchain technology naturally into everyday life” for fans. By meeting baseball fans where they are – at beloved local ballparks – Metis aims to demonstrate the real-world potential of Web3. The company’s local marketing lead explained that engaging with KBO audiences is an opportunity to “convey the possibilities and value of Web3 technology” to the public.

The Web3 tone is clear: Metis isn’t just selling a logo, but opening a dialogue with the community. Through joint promotions, fan events, and maybe even future blockchain-based team experiences, the partnership seeks to create a more tech-forward fan engagement. As Metis’s leadership noted, collaborating with an “innovative blockchain company” allows the Heroes to offer fans new experiences and synergies.