WASHINGTON — Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas have entered into a friendly wager on the outcome of the upcoming NBA Finals, which will feature teams from their respective states.
The bipartisan bet was announced on Monday, June 1, ahead of the championship series’ opening game later this week. While the senators did not immediately disclose what is at stake, each agreed to honor the other with a prize representing their home state if their team loses.
“May the best team win,” Gillibrand said as she confirmed the challenge to her Republican colleague across the aisle. Cruz accepted the offer, responding that he looked forward to a competitive series and the opportunity to showcase Texas pride.
Such wagers have become a Capitol Hill tradition, with lawmakers routinely staking regional specialties or charitable donations on major sporting events involving hometown teams. The NBA Finals are scheduled to begin this week, with Game 1 set for Thursday night.
Source: New York Post
