Sportsbooks: I Bet You Think About (Taylor Swift)
As Taylor Swift continues to introduce millions of new viewers to the NFL, via her relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, the league sits back and smiles at the fresh passive-income revenue streams coming its way.
The phenomenon is no different in the world of sports betting, where bookmakers are cashing in on Taylor Swift-related Super Bowl prop bets.
In the United States, licensed sportsbooks are not able to offer Swift-specific props such as what outfit she will wear, how many times she’ll appear on the broadcast and whether she will cry at the game’s conclusion.
Regulations state that domestic prop wagers must involve on-field activity. But that’s not the case for offshore sportsbooks and those operators based in Ontario, Canada.
SWIFT-ONLY OFFERS
In addition to the options mentioned above are props having to do with what could happen on the field after the game.
Will Kelce propose to Swift?
Such a silly possibility? Not so fast. At BetUS, a Costa Rica-based operation and one of the offshore operators, the prop was listed as recently as last weekend at only 6-1 odds that it would happen.
That might be a reflection of the book managers balancing the action due to an influx of “yes” money from a legion of hopeful Swifties.
Swift’s lipstick color is another popular market, though an upset seems unlikely since “red” has been her hue of choice even before she burst onto the Chiefs’ scene. The other option: “any other color.”
The Swift props are not just window dressing for those books able to take action, however.
The BetUS public affairs director, Tim Williams, told the New York Times it’s a sound business decision.
“We expect to see as much interest, if not more interest, in all of these Taylor Swift bets compared to bets related to the halftime show,” Williams told the Times, “and that’s really unprecedented.”
A word of warning: Those unregulated sportsbooks may not be legal, depending on where in the U.S. a wager is made, and the Swift bets will frequently be limited to $100 or less.
BetOnline, another offshore book, has no fewer than 89 Swift props. It’s an intentional number, referencing Swift’s platinum-selling album “1989,” as well as the year she was born.
The restrictions found among U.S. sportsbooks on Swift bets are more relaxed in Ontario, Canada.
Bettors there wagering via theScore Bet can decide on whether Swift will be shown during Reba McEntire’s performance of the national anthem. The sportsbook believes it’s a strong possibility, placing the odds at -200.
Will Swift enjoy the halftime show? The sportsbook believes there’s a little less than a coin-flip chance that she’ll appear on TV during the halftime show (+120).
Their over/under for the total number of times Swift pops up on the Canadian TV broadcast is 5.5 occurrences (the “over” is +120).
It’s no surprise that with Swift’s presence, Super Bowl LVIII is widely expected to break betting records outside of the U.S.
SAMPLE OF SWIFT SELECTIONS
The entertainment publication Variety compiled a few of the more interesting Swift bets available at offshore sportsbooks.
Will Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift announce their first pregnancy at the Super Bowl? (Yes, +850/BetUs)
Will Taylor Swift be seen crying if Kansas City Chiefs lose Super Bowl LVIII? (Yes, +600/BetUS)
Will Taylor Swift be seen mouthing a curse word during the CBS Super Bowl telecast? (Yes, +300/BetUS)
Will Taylor Swift’s navel be shown on CBS? (Yes, +800; No, -2500/BetOnline)
Which will have more diamond carats? (Taylor Swift engagement ring, -10000; Chiefs Super Bowl ring, +1400/BetOnline)
A SWIFT LEAN ON POLITICS
There’s no questioning the Taylor Swift influence on pop culture, but waves of the population stand poised to see whether the superstar’s presence at the Super Bowl wades into U.S. political waters.
Former President Donald Trump is a frequent contributor to political narratives and has been included among the Swift Super Bowl props.
Trump is a 3-1 choice to reference Swift via his platform TruthSocial on Super Bowl Sunday. Both sides of the presidential race will be represented with 10-1 odds via BetUS that Swift endorses President Joe Biden after the game.
THE SWIFTY-SB COMBO
The primary licensed sportsbooks in the U.S., including DraftKings and ESPNBET, have their own spin on how to involve the 14-time Grammy winner.
The bets frequently come with their own names.
ESPNBET has the “Swift Action” prop that pays +1200 if a touchdown is scored within the game’s first two minutes as well as “MVP Swelce,” which is Kelce’s MVP odds (+1500).
DraftKings has a nod to Swift songs with “Mine,” a prop on Kelce’s receiving yards (87+ at +190) and “Anti-hero,” a prop on the opposing quarterback Brock Purdy’s passing performance (250+ yards and two TD passes at +200).
THE MVP BET
BetMGM’s Ontario, Canada, operation has an “MVP mentions Taylor Swift” prop. Early this week, the odds were +650 that the Super Bowl MVP refers to Swift in the postgame, on-field interview, while “no” comes in at -1200.
Pro tip: If you’re in a place to bet live on that prop and Kelce has 10 catches and a pair of first-half touchdowns, hammer that “yes” option before everyone gets on board.
Even Swift props couldn’t escape the sharp money, however. FanDuel Canada had +1060 that Kelce proposes to Swift on the field. The company reported the “no” option opened at -250 but was quickly bet up to -3000.
Is there no one who believes in romance anymore?
– Field Level Media
