Super Bowl win costs furniture store owner $7m

A Houston furniture store owner is out an estimated $7m (€5.1m) due to the Seattle Seahawks’ win in the Super Bowl on Sunday after losing a bet with customers who made hefty purchases at his stores.

Jim McIngvale, known as “Mattress Mack,” ran a 10-day promotion at his two Gallery Furniture stores promising customers their money back if the Seahawks beat the Denver Broncos in the National Football League championship. To win, customers needed to have purchased $6,000 worth of furniture and had it delivered before kickoff on Sunday night.

McIngvale said about 1,000 people participated, buying an average of $7,000 worth of furniture.

“It’s a big hit, but it’s a marketing expense. But more importantly, it’s a brand-builder,” McIngvale said.

Meanwhile, undefeated boxing champion Floyd Mayweather took to social media to put to rest a rumour that he bet — and lost — $10m on the Denver Broncos to win the Super Bowl.

He took to Instagram and said, “For the record, I did NOT bet $10 million on the Broncos. As a matter of fact, I didn’t bet at all...The only thing I would bet $10 million on is MYSELF.”