Capitol Beat
From Walt Wit beer to Angus beef – here are Josh Shapiro and Jim Kenney’s major Super Bowl bets
Leaders from around Philadelphia and Kansas City are making friendly wagers ahead of the big game.
Democratic nominee for Governor Josh Shapiro tailgates with supporters before attending the game between the Philadelphia Eagles Mark Makela/Getty Images
The Vince Lombardi Trophy isn’t the only thing on the line when the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs go head-to-head during Sunday’s Super Bowl.
Political leaders from each team’s respective city and state have made friendly wagers ahead of the big game to show off some local favorites. It’s not uncommon for governors and mayors to exchange Super Bowl bets, but with Kansas City straddling the Missouri-Kansas state line, Gov. Josh Shapiro doubled down on the wager.
Agreeing to Super Bowl bets with both Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, Shapiro offered to exchange team flags and force the loser to fly the winner’s flag outside the state Capitol.
Shapiro also sweetened the deal with Kelly, offering to send Philadelphia favorites, including soft pretzels, cheesesteaks and mini donuts if the Chiefs win. In exchange, Kelly wagered Kansas favorites, including Angus beef and chocolate-covered sunflower seeds.
Local leaders and business types are getting in on the fun, too.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney made a friendly wager with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas. Kenney – who said he’d want to eat some Kansas City ribs – offered some of his favorite food and beer, betting orders of Down North Pizza and Walt Wit beer against Lucas’ orders of Gates Bar-B-Q and other Kansas City memorabilia.
Members of the chambers of commerce from Pennsylvania and Missouri joined the chat, wagering some goodies of their own. The Missouri chamber offered to treat the Pennsylvania chamber to Budweiser beer, Jack Stack’s barbecue, Burgers’ Smokehouse ham and sausages and Cherry Mash candies if the Eagles come out on top. And if the Chiefs win, the Pennsylvania chamber will send over Yuengling beer, Hershey’s chocolate, Peeps marshmallows, Giorgi mushrooms and some cheesesteaks to the Missouri chamber.
The arts sector isn’t passing up the opportunity to play, either. The heads of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City and the Philadelphia Museum of Art made a bet with the winning city getting to show off something from the other city’s art collection. And the museum staff will be treated to some local indulgences from the losing side.
Shapiro said in a statement he’ll be attending the game on Sunday in Glendale, Arizona.
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