It's no secret that the Superbowl is one of, if not the, biggest sporting eventsin the world and only getting bigger. Millions and millions of people tune in every year and some of them have more than football on their minds; they have money riding on the game. But this day and age fans aren't just picking the winner or worrying about the spread. Anyone can legally bet on just about anything pertaining to the game, the broadcast and/or the hoopla surrounding Superbowl Sunday as if they were making a friendly wager with their brother-in-law sitting on the couch next to them. 

As a prominent blogger I often get emails from other people sending me stories, links, videos and other things they'd like me to read and hopefully mention on CSC. The other day I got one of those emails from the fine people at Bodog Life, learned something new and thought you might find it as interesting as me. They're called prop bets and they're created by Bodog Sportsbook Manager, Richard Gardner. Here's a little more info on Richard:

Richard Gardner’s interest in the gaming industry started at an early age when his passion for sports, particularly college and professional football, combined with an intrinsic understanding of numbers and statistics, gave him the edge when wagering with friends. 
 
While attending college for a degree in Mathematics and Statistics, Gardner came to the realization of just how profitable his talents could be. Subsequently, he began running odds and taking wagers from friends and, from time to time, his statistics professor. It wasn’t long before his talents really paid off, and he had built up enough of a player base to be able to pay his way through college, and then some.
 
Fresh out of college, Gardner hit the pavement in search of a company where he could really put his talents to use, and Bodog was a natural fit. After 10 years of hard work and a variety of positions in the pit, Gardner achieved his ultimate goal of becoming Bodog’s Sportsbook Manager. 

Below is a list of some of the more interesting props that Richard created and they are nothing short of hilarious and interesting. Keep in mind this is just a portion of the over 1,000 props that he has come up with for this years Superbowl. So instead of betting your buddy a nickel that John Madden will talk about the food in Tampa Bay more than three times during the course of the game, put your money where your mouth is and make the phone call to Vegas. 

Media/TV Props

Will Barack Obama bring back US tradition and call winning team before broadcast goes off the air?

Yes      +150

No        -225

How Many Times will NBC show Brenda Warner on TV during the Game?

Over/Under                    3 ½

How many times will Al Michaels and John Madden reference Ben Roethlisberger as “Big Ben” during the Game.

Over/Under                    7 ½

How many food references will John Madden make during the game?

Over/Under                    1 ½

What Betting Line will Al Michaels allude to or mention first during the Game?

Pointspread                    -200    

Total                             +150

Will Matt Millen pick the correct team to win the SB on the NBC Pregame?

Yes       -270

No        +210

Which Teams Cheerleaders will be shown more often on camera?

Pittsburgh                      -175

Arizona                         +135

What will the TV Rating be, O/U (Nielsen)

Over/Under                    42.5

What Super Bowl will average more viewers?

Super Bowl XL               +110

Super Bowl XLIII              -150

Who will have the largest market share in TV Ratings?

Arizona                                     +300   

Pennsylvania                             -500    

Which Super Bowl commercial will have a higher rating on USA Today's annual Ad Meter?

Anheuser-Busch/Budweiser        1/1                                           

Doritos                                      3/1      

Pepsi                                        3/1     

Coca-Cola                                 4/1

McDonald’s                               7/1                

Go Daddy.com                          8/1                                                     

Other                                        2/1

What brand of Anheuser-Busch will have more commercials on Super Bowl Sunday?

Bud Light          +200                                                              

Budweiser          -300   

How long will it take Jennifer Hudson to sing the National anthem?

Over/Under                    1:54

What Song will Bruce Springsteen sing to begin his Halftime Show at the Super Bowl?

Born in the USA                         2/1     

Glory Days                                2/1

The Rising                                 4/1

Born to Run                               5/1 

The Wrestler                              5/1     

Radio Nowhere                          8/1

I’m on Fire                                 12/1

What Song will Bruce Springsteen sing to End his Halftime Show at the Super Bowl?

Born in the USA                         2/1     

Born to Run                               3/2      

Glory Days                                4/1

The Rising                                 4/1

The Wrestler                              5/1

Radio Nowhere                          8/1

I’m on Fire                                 12/1

Which NBC Show will get the most Promo’s during the game?

The Office                                  5/4

Heroes                                      7/4

30 Rock                                   5/2

Chuck                                       11/2

Friday Night Lights                     8/1

Jay Leno                                   15/1

Conan O’Brien                           15/1

Will Jay Leno make an appearance during the Super Bowl Pre Game Show?

Yes                  -140

No                    Even

Random Props

Will Kurt Warner break Joe Montana’s Super Bowl Record of 1142 career Passing Yards

Yes                  +500

No                     -800

(Kurt Warner needs 364 Passing Yards to break the record)

Who will the MVP of the Game thank first?

God                                          1/1    

Teammates                               2/1      

Family                                      4/1     

Coach                                       7/1     

Doesn't thank anyone                 3/1                                           

What Color will the Gatorade be that is dumped on the Head Coach of the Winning Super Bowl Team?

Clear/Water                   4/5

Red                              5/2

Yellow                           3/1

Blue                              7/1

Orange                          7/1

Lime Green                   10/1    

What side of the ball with the Players that perform the Gatorade Shower be from?

Offensive          Even   

Defensive          -130

How many current NFL Players will be arrested during Super Bowl Week?

Over     1           Even

Under   1           -140

What Color will Bill Bidwell’s bow tie be?

Red                                -500

Any Other Color +300

How many planes will be included in the Pregame Fly Over?

2 or less                        6/1

3                                  4/1

4                                  3/1

5                                  5/4

6 or More                      2/1

Who will win the Madden Super Bowl?

Pittsburgh              -300                                   

Arizona                 +200

What will happen with the Stock Market the day after Super Bowl XLIV?

Pittsburgh Wins Market Up                     3/2

Pittsburgh Losses Market Down              5/2

Arizona Wins Market Up                         2/1

Arizona Losses Market Down                  7/4

Historical Props

(Ben Roethlisberger had 123 Passing Yards in Super Bowl XL)