The NFL is arguably the most popular sport in North America. For seventeen weeks from the fall through winter sports fans are glued to their televisions every Sunday (or Monday or Thursday) following their favorite team. From hail mary passes to miraculous catches to bone-crunching hits, the NFL has provided some of the most thrilling and dramatic moments in sports history.
Beyond the gridiron, there is another side to the game, one that potentially brings high stakes for the fans. While everyone likes a fun office pool or maybe playing fantasy football, the NFL has been known to have some of the biggest bets ever placed on a sporting event.
While weekly games bring their own share of wagers it is the annual Super Bowl that draws the most attention from fans looking to make a big financial splash. Millions of dollars have legally or illegally switched hands depending on the outcome of the game.
James McIngvale – 2022
James McIngvale, better known as “Mattress Mack” has been the proud owner of the Houston-based retail chain Gallery Furniture since 1981. With a net worth in the neighborhood of $300 million, the furniture store owner has been very creative and giving with his money. Known for tying in large bets with promotions tied to his stores, McIngvale has placed some of the biggest wagers in the history of sporting events, including a $10 million bet on the Houston Astros.
In 2022, Mattress Mack placed a $4.5 million bet on the Cincinnati Bengals to defeat the LA Rams in Super Bowl LVI. Two days prior to kick-off, McIngvale threw down an additional $5 million on the AFC champions. Unfortunately for McIngvale, who stood to win $16.5 million, and Bengals fans, the Rams walked away with a 23-20 victory.
Phil Ivey and Billy Walters – 2010
He’s won eleven World Series of Poker bracelets, a World Poker Tour title, and made nine World Poker Tour final tables. With a net worth in the neighborhood of $125 million, Phil Ivey is one of the most successful poker players of all time. Billy Walters is a former car salesman turned entrepreneur and professional sports bettor with an estimated net worth of over $200 million.
Unfortunately, that success didn’t really help the duo during Super Bowl XLIV when they teamed up to place a $2 million moneyline bet on the Indianapolis Colts as they battled the New Orleans Saints. Holding a 10-6 lead at the half, and a single-point lead entering the fourth quarter things were looking positive for the pair. However, a 15-0 run by the Saints in the final quarter led to a 31-17 victory and a big loss by the two gamblers.
NFL fans north of the border have numerous options to join in the extra excitement as Canadian sportsbooks have become increasingly popular and offer bettors a wide range of thrilling options to add another element to the game. As the NFL continues to grow in popularity throughout North America and around the world, the betting landscape will certainly expand as will opportunities for record setting wagers.
James McIngvale – 2021
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were tagged as underdogs heading into their Super Bowl LV matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Given 3.5 points, McIngvale placed a $3.46 million bet on Tom Brady and the Bucs to defeat Patrick Mahomes and the defending Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs.
To place the bet, one that would see a payout of $2.72 million, McIngvale used a mobile betting app at the Colorado Springs airport. McIngvale and the Buccaneers weren’t the only ones who came away winning that February weekend as Gallery Furniture customers who had spent $3,000 or more on a new bed received their money back as part of a storewide promotion.
Anonymous Buccaneers Fan – 2021
Super Bowl LV proved to be a hot ticket in a variety of ways. Not only did it feature the past and future of the NFL with Brady taking on Mahomes, but it also had two of the biggest bets in NFL history attached to it.
Placing a $2.3 million wager on the Bucs to pull out the upset victory, an anonymous better who was said to be from Nevada walked away with an additional $2 million in their pocket thanks to Tampa Bay’s 31-9 blowout, giving Brady his seventh Super Bowl ring and fifth Super Bowl MVP. With most of the betting action favoring the Chiefs, including several six-figure wagers, clearly most fans had hopes of seeing Mahomes and Andy Reid win their second consecutive Vince Lombardi trophy.
Anonymous Eagles Fan – 2023
Heading into Super Bowl LVII there were five bets of over $1 million with three favoring the Philadelphia Eagles, one for the Kansas City Chiefs, and one that was reportedly made during halftime that the game would reach over the 62.5 point line. One of the two $1 million wagers would be made by hip-hop star Drake, who spread his bets over a variety of props and the moneyline.
However, the “One Dance” star wasn’t the only one with deep pockets that weekend as an anonymous better dropped $2.2 million on the Eagles just three hours before kickoff with a -1.5 point spread. Unfortunately, the $2 million payout would not be handed over as the Chiefs pulled out a 38-35 victory.