5 BEST EARLY HALFTIME SHOW PROP BETS FOR SUPER BOWL LX
Summary
The Super Bowl halftime show became a major event after New Kids on the Block performed in 1991. Performers are not paid a fee but gain massive exposure, with the NFL covering production costs. The author’s favorite show was Prince’s, and he comments on the misguided controversy around Bad Bunny’s selection, noting the performer is a U.S. citizen from Puerto Rico.
The text then analyzes prop bets for Bad Bunny’s upcoming halftime show. Predictions include him keeping his natural hair color, wearing a ball gown, and being joined by guests like Jennifer Lopez or Shakira. It also expects him to mention Puerto Rico and “ICE,” and likely reveal his torso during the performance.
As someone who has always looked forward to the actual Super Bowl itself, I’m not nearly as concerned about the halftime performance as pop culture seems to be. As a now 52-year-old man, for much of my life the halftime show was an afterthought and from what I can tell didn’t really become a thing until 1991 when the New Kids on the Block, that’s right, Jordan, Joey, Donny, Danny and Jonathan, those five dreamboats, took the stage at Super Bowl XXV between the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants. Before that, it was mostly marching bands and themes. It was the NKOTB that broke that seal and unleashed this musical sports phenomenon upon us forever.
Interestingly, the performers aren’t paid an appearance fee for this. It’s an honor, and they just do it for the worldwide exposure, though they do get a union-mandated fee of about $1,100 a day. The NFL does foot the bill for the production, so whatever fireworks and sets you see, they did cut a check for that.
As someone who turned 18 in 1992, it should be no secret where my musical tastes specifically lie. My favorite halftime performance? Prince in Super Bowl XLI and no one has ever come close. And it won’t happen this time.
Bad Bunny’s selection as the Super Bowl LX halftime performer came with the dumbest controversy imaginable, as half the country got to learn, through ridicule, that Puerto Rico is part of the United States and Bad Bunny is an American citizen. The complete and total failure of the U.S. public education system continues to wreak havoc on our country and the world every single day.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS VS NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (+5, O/U: 45.5)
5. Bad Bunny Hair Color
His Natural Hair Color -200
Bleached +225
Multi Color (Non Flag) +450
Pink +950
Flag Design (Pride) +1100
Blue +1400
As someone relatively unfamiliar with Bad Bunny outside of his Saturday Night Live appearances, I had no idea before I saw this bet that he apparently switches up his hair color regularly. Google images tells me there’s been a lot of green, pink, red, and some tiger stripes that have occurred in the past. He has made the most of the Crayola color wheel.
BEST BET: His Natural Hair Color -200
I think with the size of the audience here, Mr. Bunny will stick with what God gave him. It’s best to present your cleanest brand in this kind of situation, and while a Pride Flag might give half the viewers an aneurysm, they’ll already be upset enough that he’s singing in Spanish.
4. Style of Bad Bunny’s Dress
Ball Gown +175
Halter Dress +325
Shirt Dress +400
Bodycon +500
Qi Pao +500
Maxi +600
A-Line +700
Rumors hit early that the Bad One would be sporting a dress at some point during his performance. Since he’s a pop person, I’m expecting multiple costume changes as is their way. One of them should be downright fabulous.
BEST BET: Ball Gown +175
This one is tough because, frankly, Bad Bunny would look fantastic in any of these. Since none seem specifically Spanish themed, I’m going with a Ball Gown, as he can maybe give it the full Quinceañera vibe.
3. To Make a Special Guest Appearance
Cardi B -250
Jennifer Lopez +125
Karol G +100
Daddy Yankee +130
Jhayco +150
Ricky Martin +200
Mark Anthony +300
Rauw Alejandra +400
Rosalia +750
Maluma +750
Grupo Frontera +750
Shakira +750
HUNTER/X +900
Travis Scott +1000
Ozuna +1100
Becky G +1200
Drake +1200
Young Miko +1400
Pitbull +1400
Residente +1400
Tainy +1600
Julieta Venegas +2200
The Weeknd +2800
Taylor Swift +6000
Justin Bieber +6000
Of late, regardless of who the featured performer is at the Super Bowl, they’ve usually been joined by surprise guests and pals to help them sell the magnitude of their performance. Bad Bunny himself was a special guest when Shakira and Jennifer Lopez headlined Super Bowl LIV.
BEST BET: Jennifer Lopez +250, Shakira +750
I know Cardi B is leading the clubhouse odds, but her boyfriend Stefon Diggs is actually playing in the game. She’s not suiting up herself for this anymore than Taylor Swift would for the Kansas City Chiefs. I think Bad Bunny will return the favor to J-Lo and Shakira, but you could actually see anyone associated with Spanish-American pop culture in this one, especially if they’re from Puerto Rico. That puts Daddy Yankee, Ricky Martin, and Marc Anthony all as possibilities.
3. Will Bad Bunny Say “ICE” During the Halftime Show
Yes +200
No -300
Are you kidding?
BEST BET: Yes +200
Make this bet and cash that in. There is no way Bad Bunny will not mention it in some way in front of that audience at the Super Bowl. With what’s happened in the USA and the stupid people attacking Bad Bunny and the NFL for giving him this platform? Come on.
2. Will Bad Bunny Give Puerto Rico a Shoutout?
Yes -175
No +135
Again, we’ve discussed the incredibly stupid backlash to Bad Bunny’s selection to perform at the Super Bowl’s halftime and how, for many morons, it stems from the fact that they are very dumb and don’t know that Puerto Rico is a United States territory and its people are United States citizens.
BEST BET: Yes -175
The only question here is how many times he mentions Puerto Rico. It ain’t gonna be just once.
1. Will Bad Bunny Expose a Nipple?
Yes -500
No +300
I skipped any “wardrobe malfunction” bets for this one, because a male nipple is, as far as the FCC is concerned, very different than a female nipple. As a “Free the Nipple” believer and supporter, let me just publicly say how unfair that is, ladies. I’m very pro nipple.
BEST BET: Yes -500
Basically, the bet is here if Bad Bunny will take his shirt off, and I’m guessing he’s spent the last four months hard at work with a personal trainer to do just that in front of the 63 million people that will be watching across the face of the globe. Those nipples and abs will be popping.
Follow Adam Greene on Blue Sky @AdamGreene13, threads @adam.greene and Twitter @TheFirstMan
