Who is your favorite NFL team? MLB team? Okay, now who is your favorite NBA team? Got them? Now open your eyes.
The majority of us have instant answers for those questions – not even a second thought. If you didn’t, I want you to be better. Also, don’t give me the “I prefer college over professional sports”. It still works with this exercise. Now open your eyes.
We get excited for our teams, don’t we? Whether that team stems from where we grew up, a favorite player we loved as a kid, the mascot was pretty rad, the reason doesn’t matter. What matters is the passion we have.
Through thick and thin, good times and bad, we will forever follow this team to our grave, right? Each opening coin toss or first pitch is a new beginning full of hope and optimism. I can feel your fandom through the screen. You’re ready to go yell at your TV and root them all the way to victory. If that’s the case, first, I’m proud of you. Favorite teams are the absolute best.
The question is, have you unlocked the cheat code? You have maybe 3 to 5 favorite teams across different sports, right? Well, I have unlimited. You read that right. Unlimited favorite teams. Sound too good to be true? Let me enlighten you to this magical world.
Sports Betting
The secret key that will unlock this door – sports betting. History and nostalgia fuel our favorite teams, but since we can’t manufacture history and nostalgia, the formula must change in order to produce a new favorite team. We don’t go to our nine to five job for fun. Money is that motivator.
If I asked you to play a super fun game of Guess Heads or Tails. I flip the coin and you must guess which side it lands on. After about 2 flips you’ll be bored and question our friendship. If we both put $5 in the middle and then have you guess heads or tails, you better believe you’ll be shouting ridiculous sayings like “tails never fails”. Money is that motivator, and gosh darn it you simply just want to win.
What once was illegal in many states, sports betting is now more accessible than ever. No longer do you have to wait a whole week for your favorite team to kickoff, just to lose by 35 points. Each game is an opportunity. Each game has two teams ripe for the picking.
Go…Bengals?
You have never heard of the Idaho State Bengals, but when your wife has her book club on a random Wednesday night, you can officially adopt the Bengals as your new favorite team – for the next 3 and a half hours. You are not required to buy a jersey or even know the quarterback’s name.
I know what you’re thinking, “I have heard of the Idaho State Bengals, and my wife’s book club is on Thursdays”. You’re also thinking, “putting $20 on a random game is not going to make me care”. I’d love to pat you on the back and assure you you’re dead wrong.
See, it is in your blood that you want to care. It is not about the actual $20; you blow $20 on honey buns and energy drinks – we all do. Your pride takes over and that $20 is an investment, and not simply financial. Granted, you want to win. Placing $20 on random games and always losing will get old quick, like Benjamin Button. (or was that the other way around?)
The wins feel great. That no named QB just won you $20. But beyond the wins you cared about every pass, every turnover, and every time the coach sent his awful kicker out there to try a 47 yarder when he barely can hit from 30. At worst, you paid $20 for the entertainment value, and at best, you get paid to watch Idaho State Football.
Life is good. You have unlimited favorite teams for every single sport imaginable. Book club starts soon, so get in the game. Now open your eyes – if you ever closed them in the first place.
