DAILY DIRT: Super Bowl ‘prop bets’ can be more interesting than the game itself

January 27, 2025 | By Steve Eighinger, Muddy River News Minister of Culture and Doctor of Love

Daily Dirt for Monday, Jan. 27, 2025

I would say the over/under for Taylor Swift camera shots is probably eight … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,186 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Sure, the main storyline we’re going to hear about between now and the Super Bowl is the Kansas City Chiefs’ bid for a threepeat.

But there will also be a ton of what are called “prop bets” tied to the nation’s biggest sporting event that, in my mind, are far more interesting. A prop bet is a non-traditional wager made regarding the occurrence or non-occurrence during a game.

Here are a few examples:

How many times will Taylor Swift be shown on TV during the Super Bowl broadcast?
How long will the national anthem take, in exact minutes and seconds?
What color of Gatorade will be dumped on the winning coach?
How many total dogs will make an appearance in Super Bowl commercials?
Will the last play of the game be a quarterback kneel?
Super Bowl Coin Toss odds are the equivalent of betting red or black at the roulette table. It’s literally a “flip a coin” bet.
The first team to score is always a widely popular prop bet.
Will any player or coach cry during the national anthem?
Will any player leave the game and not return due to concussion symptoms?
How many times will the chains be used for a first-down measurement?
Will a kicker hit the crossbar on a missed field goal or extra point?
Who will the Super Bowl MVP thank first?

2. Did you know (Part 259)

That Mike Tirico, who called NBA games for 15 seasons for ESPN from 2002-2016, is returning to the NBA as NBC Sports’ lead play-by-play voice when its coverage of the association begins with the 2025-26 season in October. I’m sure Tirico will be compensated quite handsomely. He’s currently making $10.5 million.
That Dr. Pepper is bringing its coconut flavor back, presumably around April.
That Hershey’s is releasing Chocolate Caramel Brownie Bites, plus Milk Chocolate and Caramel Frozen Banana Slices.
That Coffee Mate has a new Peanut Butter and Jelly creamer.
That Hostess is rolling out Strawberry Cheesecake Baby Bundt Cakes for Valentine’s Day.

3. Speaking of Valentine’s Day, have you gotten a card yet for your significant other?

If not, I found a website (thisiswhyimbroke.com) that takes Valentine’s Day cards to the next level. Here are three medal-worthy finds I cam across. They’re all in the $5 range:

Gold medal: “I would never murder you.”

Silver medal: “I would pick you every time” (accompanied by a nose with a finger in it)

Bronze medal: “Remember when you used to hold your farts in? I miss that.”

Steve Thought O’ The Day — Am I the only one getting rather bored of the Kansas City Chiefs playing in the Super Bowl?