• Loading stock data...
Friday, January 2, 2026

Mattress Mack Riding Out $5.5M Bet in NCAA Title Game

  • Mack placed two bets before the Final Four for Kansas to win the title at +190.
  • He is notorious for hedging his furniture store promotions through sports bets.
Jim McIngvale

Famed sports bettor and furniture magnate Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale is at it again.

Before the Final Four, Mack reportedly placed a total of $5.5 million in wagers — $3.3 million at Caesars Sportsbook and $2.2 million at Barstool Sportsbook — on Kansas to win the title at +190. The bets would net him $10.4 million if the Jayhawks win.

Mack is notorious for using sports bets to hedge on promotions he runs in his Houston-area furniture stores.

The current promo originally guaranteed free furniture for all customers who purchased $3000-worth or more if a Texas-based team won the title.

After none made the Final Four, Mack changed it to the team that was closest to his store, Kansas.

Mack made headlines in February by wagering $5 million on the Bengals to win the Super Bowl — the largest single legal sports bet of all-time.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Football Transfer Portal Chaos Continues Despite New Rules

The NCAA eliminated the spring portal window, leaving just one in January.

The Pac-12 Shrank to Pac-2. In 2026, It Returns With 9 Members

The league was decimated in 2023 during a vicious round of realignment.

Warren Buffett’s March Madness Contest Will Continue

Buffett is stepping down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway after 60 years.
Indiana's Riley Nowakowski (37) celebrates his touchdown during the Indiana versus Wiscsonsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.

Debate Over CFP Home Games vs. Neutral Sites Rages On

This week’s quarterfinals are being played at bowl games.

Featured Today

Heated Rivalry (L to R) - Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov and Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander in Episode 104 of Heated Rivalry. Cr. Sabrina Lantos © 2025

Hockey Needed Some Virality. Then Came ‘Heated Rivalry’

No one was prepared for the Canadian show’s smash success.
Rob Manfred
exclusive
December 23, 2025

MLB Teams Fear League Will Pick Winners and Losers in Tech

One company under consideration was founded by a top MLB exec’s uncle.
December 23, 2025

What It Takes to Pull Off Florida’s First Outdoor NHL Game

The Rangers will face the Panthers in Miami’s first NHL Winter Classic.
December 14, 2025

How Pickleball Became One Massive Private-Equity Rollup

Pickleball roads lead back to billionaire Tom Dundon.
Prediction markets

Prediction Markets Exploded in 2025. What Comes Next?

After 2025’s prediction-markets mania, the dust may start to settle in 2026.
December 30, 2025

Sportsbooks Sue to Stop Chicago’s New Licensing Requirement

DraftKings, FanDuel, and others are crying foul over last-minute budget additions.
December 30, 2025

ESPN Employee Didn’t Violate Rules in $1 Million DraftKings Win

ESPN researcher Mackenzie Kraemer didn’t break company rules, a source told FOS.
Sponsored

The CFP Bowl Game Tickets Everyone Wants

The second 12-team College Football Playoff is in full swing and tickets to these games are selling at a premium.
December 30, 2025

Why Polymarket Has Avoided Legal Pushback So Far

Regulators have taken a wait-and-see approach since Polymarket’s U.S. relaunch.
Emmanuel Clase
December 26, 2025

2025 Was the Year of Sports Gambling Scandals

Gambling scandals across pro and college sports went mainstream in 2025.
Dec 20, 2025; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Andre Burakovsky (28) celebrates with center Ryan Greene (20) his goal scored in the second period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre.
exclusive
December 23, 2025

Blackhawks Are First Pro Team to Make Direct Deal With Kalshi

The deal builds on Kalshi’s existing partnership with the NHL.
A view of the FanDuel Sportsbook betting area at Belterra Park Cincinnati.
December 22, 2025

FanDuel Joins Prediction-Market Fray As New App Goes Live

FanDuel Predicts is live in five states.