There are plenty of great storylines for the Super Bowl in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 1. But let's talk wagers.
Beyond figuring out who might win the game or how many pounds per square inch each ball should be inflated to, many sports bettors will be hoping to cash in on hundreds of different proposition bets tied to the big game.
Some of the more common side bets from year-to-year include whether the pregame coin flip will come up heads or tails, or what color Gatorade will be poured on the winning coach.
But Super Bowl matchups also offer a series of unusual novelty wagers that are intended to be both outrageous and amusing. Here's a detailed look at some of this year's strangest and most entertaining prop bets.
Will Marshawn Lynch be fined by the NFL for any incident on Super Bowl XLIX 'Media Day'?
- Yes
- No
Source: Sportsbook.ag
The Seahawks' bruising "Beast Mode" running back has been notoriously uncooperative with the media. He was fined $50,000 earlier this year for refusing to talk to reporters, in violation of NFL policy. Following the divisional round playoff win against the Carolina Panthers earlier this month, Lynch answered every question from the media by saying "I'm thankful."
How long will it take Idina Menzel to sing the national anthem?
- Over 2 minutes, 1 second
- Under 2 minutes, 1 second
Source: Bovada
Last year before Super Bowl XLVIII, opera star Renée Fleming performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" in a speedy one minute, 54 seconds. Two years ago, Alicia Keys was timed at a much longer two minutes, 35 seconds. What will the voice of Elsa from Disney's "Frozen" clock in at this year?
How many times will 'deflated' balls be mentioned during the game?
- Over 3
- Under 3
Source: Bovada
Obviously, the controversy surrounding the Patriots and ball deflation has been a huge topic following the AFC championship game. The betting line specifies that the mentions must occur between kickoff and the final whistle but excludes halftime, and it states that the words "deflated" or "deflate" be clearly said.
What color will Katy Perry's hair be when she begins the halftime show?
- Black/Brown
- Blue/Green
- Pink/Red
- Blond
- Purple
Source: Bovada
While the superstar singer is often seen with black hair, her natural color is actually blond.
Which color will Bill Belichick's hoodie be?
- Gray
- Blue
- Red
Source: Bovada
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was wearing a blue hoodie on the sidelines during the AFC Championship win over the Indianapolis Colts. If you're wondering about his hoodie history, a blog called Pats Propaganda has created the Belichick Hoodie database, which has been attempting to plot wins and losses against Belichick's gameday fashion choices.
How many times will Gisele Bundchen be shown on TV during the game?
- Over 1½
- Under 1½
Source: Bovada
The supermodel has been married to Patriots quarterback Tom Brady since 2009 but has yet to see her husband win a title during their time together.
Will Lynch make an obscene gesture after scoring a TD?
- Yes
- No
Source: Bovada
Of course, there's precedent for this one. Lynch was fined $20,000 for grabbing his crotch during the NFC championship game against the Green Bay Packers and was fined for the gesture in a December game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Will Belichick smile during the game on camera?
- Yes
- No
Source: Bovada
Belichick is known as a brilliant coach and a man who rarely shows emotion on the field. However, in the final minutes of the AFC Championship game, he was actually seen smiling, and even kissing girlfriend Linda Holliday on the field after the game.
What will be higher?
- Russell Wilson passing yards
- National average regular gas price (in cents) on Monday, Feb. 2
Source: Bovada
The Seahawks quarterback averaged 217 yards per game during the regular season. In the most recent matchup against the Patriots in 2012, Wilson threw for 293 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, gas prices have been plunging since last summer. As of Jan. 22, AAA reports that the national average price per gallon for regular gas was $2.04 (or 204 cents for purposes of comparison for this wager).
Who will President Obama publicly pick to win Super Bowl XLIX?
- Patriots
- Seahawks
Source: Sportsbook.ag
Around this time last year, the president chose not to pick a winner, saying the Broncos and Seahawks were "too evenly matched." That prediction ended up missing wildly as the Seahawks annihilated the Broncos by 43-8.
The Groundhog Day parlay
- Punxsutawney Phil sees shadow and Patriots win
- Punxsutawney Phil does not see shadow and Patriots win
- Punxsutawney Phil sees shadow and Seahawks win
- Punxsutawney Phil does not see shadow and Seahawks win
Source: Bovada
Oddsmakers say the game is likely to be a tossup, but Phil's historical pattern has been more foreseeable. Since 2000, our seasonal prognosticating ground hog has missed seeing his shadow only three times (2007, 2011 and 2013), meaning he's been overwhelmingly bullish on winter. Phil makes his annual appearance the morning after the game.
