ICOs

Critics cry ‘no ball!’ over Australian cricketer’s endorsement of ICO

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 03: Former Australia captain Michael Clarke watches on as he commentates during day one of the third Test match between Australia and the West Indies at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 3, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Australian cricketer Michael Clarke has come under fire from his countrymen after throwing his weight behind an ICO.

The former international star has been endorsing Brisbane-based Global Tech and promoting its initial coin offering on Twitter.

But cricket fans Down Under have come out in force to sledge the ex-Australia captain.

Clarke took to Twitter endorsing the ICO next to a marketing graphic stating “exciting times ahead”.

“I am really excited to be involved with Global Tech,” he told his 2.2m followers

“Their ambition and drive is something that I resonated with straight away and I can’t wait to learn more about blockchain technologies.”

Clarke was perhaps not expecting the short deliveries that followed, with many fans – of both cricket and cryptocurrency – suggesting he was a little out of his depth.

Investor and commentator John Hempton was first up to the crease of criticism with “ex Australian cricket captain in an ICO. Suggest Mr Clarke you just buy sandpaper. It will do less damage to your reputation…”

Industry expert Angus C de Crespogny was next up to bat, offering some advice on google research ahead of investments.

He offered: “Michael, as someone who’s been in the industry for five years may I suggest you 1. Google Floyd Mayweather, DJ Khaled, ICOs and fraud 2. Maybe get a second opinion on PR and legal separate from whoever is currently advising you.”

The Twitter responses continued on a long thread, but many were unsuitable for publication here.

It’s also unclear what endorsement fee Clarke may have commanded for using his celebrity sportsman image, but he has been listed on the Global Tech website as its sole ambassador which lines him up for a paycheck if the ICO hits its funding target.

Global Tech is capping out at $50m and it is offering four per cent of generated funds to ambassadors. Currently, the project is still falling shy of $5m.

See Coin Rivet’s full list of ICO guides here.

Darren Parkin

Darren Parkin is a highly experienced, award-winning editor with a background in daily newspapers. Once the UK’s youngest newspaper editor, he has spent more than three decades as a journalist, presenter and broadcaster. He was one of the first people to join the Coin Rivet team, and can often be found hosting, chairing or moderating cryptocurrency and blockchain events throughout the world. Away from the office, he is an outdoors instructor and adventurer. He recently set a world endurance record during a canoe expedition.