Sure BBQ is popular, but this Super Bowl bet is for the naming rights of a baby goat
Forget the customary wager of Kansas City barbecue. This Super Bowl bet looks to literally name the GOAT.
The Kansas City Zoo and the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens have agreed that the losing city will name a baby goat after the winning team’s quarterback in Sunday’s Super Bowl matchup between the Chiefs and 49ers.
“When Kansas City wins, the San Francisco Zoo will name one of their goats for Patrick Mahomes,” said Kim Romary, director of marketing for the Kansas City Zoo.
The significance of the naming rights for a kid plays off the acronym for “greatest of all time,” or G.O.A.T.
Also included in the wager is the customary food basket representing the best the cities have to offer and a congratulatory sign from the losing city featuring the winning team’s logo and zoo logo at a high-traffic area in the zoo.
“We feel pretty confident that we are not going to have to send one,” said Romary, when asked what items would be contained in the food basket if Kansas City loses. “But if we did, we would certainly include some barbecue, some craft beer, some local sweets — all the best of Kansas City.”
The friendly wager is between Kansas City Zoo executive director and C.E.O. Randy Wisthoff and Tanya Peterson, C.E.O and executive director of the San Francisco Zoological Society.
Others have made their own friendly bets on the outcome of the game.
The Kansas City Repertory Theatre and the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco have a bet where the KC Rep would send an office party gift basket from the Best of Kansas City in Crown Center if the Chiefs lose. The American Conservatory Theater would send “classic SF/CA/ACT things” if the 49ers lose.
The Claridge Court senior living community in Prairie Village have a wager with Stoneridge Creek retirement community in Pleasanton, California.
If the Chiefs win, Stoneridge Creek will send a case of Napa Valley wine to Claridge Court. If the 49ers win, Claridge Court will send Jack Stack barbecue.
Kansas City Mayor Mayor Quinton Lucas and San Francisco Mayor London Breed plan to announce their bet later this week.
And while optimism is high among Chiefs fans, is Kansas City ready for a kid named “Jimmy Garoppolo?”
After all, some Kansas City residents still curse when they hear the name of San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Baumgarner, who was the MVP of the 2014 World Series after he stifled the Royals.
Romary brushed off the possibility of a goat being stigmatized and shunned.
“Luckily, baby goats are super cute, no matter what they are named,” she said. “I think the goat will be just fine and will be well-loved regardless whatever name it ends up with.”
