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One tradition for any playoff final happens off the ice and at the local government office. Yes, I am talking about mayor’s bet. The two city mayors whose teams are playing in the finals will engage in some type of friendly wager; typically betting that one will trade some type of local delicacy or good and have to deliver the items in some slightly embarrassing way. In many ways, the mayor’s bet has become slightly monotonous and predictable. Which is why this year’s bet between San Jose and Pittsburgh is a breath of fresh air.
Pittsburgh’s Mayor William Peduto bet San Jose’s Mayor Sam Liccardo that the mayor of the losing town will make a donation to the mayor of the winner town’s charity of choice. The one caveat is that losing town’s mayor will have to take a picture wearing the captain jersey of the winning team. William Peduto’s charity of choice is Hill House Association, and Sam Liccardo’s charity of choice is Destination: Home. They didn’t want to stray too far from the norm, and added that the losing mayor will have to send a gift basket of local treats.
This wasn’t the only bet that was made between the two cities. Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors president Dave Cortese and Allegheny County executive Rich Fitzgerald in Pittsburgh have engaged in a friendly wager that is deserving of attention. Both counties are collecting donations of new and gently used sports equipment for the local Boys and Girls club throughout the Stanley Cup Finals. Regardless of the outcome, both clubs in San Jose and Pittsburgh will receive their respective donations at the end of the series, but they will be delivered by the losing team’s representative wearing the opposing team’s jersey.
The home team has an impact on the local community, and this is amplified when they are making a deep run in the playoffs. Usually, we think of how it unites the city, or how the energy is buzzing throughout the town. Now, thanks to this year's mayor’s bet, we can see a push to use that positive energy to help benefit the community.
- For more information about the Hill House Association, you can visit their site at http://www.hillhouse.org/ - For more information about Destination: Home, you can visit their site at http://destinationhomescc.org/ - If you or anyone you know is interested in donating any new or gently used equipment, donations are accepted at the Allegheny County Courthouse’s Information Center for Pittsburgh or at the County Government Center (barrels located on the first floor lobby) in San Jose.
About Jillian:
Jillian Fisher is a sport anthropologist who focuses on sport culture and fan culture. Growing up with three older brothers, sports have always played a large part of her life. While she enjoys all sports, hockey has always been her first passion. Jillian has traveled across the world - from the Philippines to Italy and across the US - studying the impact of sports, all while cheering for the home team and discovering what makes each place so unique, even being referred to as the Anthony Bourdain of sports. She is currently filming her own web series, Out of the Park, that highlights the different cultures surrounding our favorite sports across the country. Always in search of the next event, Jillian can be contacted on Twitter, Instagram, or emailed at jillianfisher00[at]gmail.com