Shakedownsports.com

Joe Namath. Chad Johnson. The Boise Burn. They’re nothing compared to the Arizona Rattlers. The Rattlers, who went 4-12 in the Arena League last season, are guaranteeing that they will make the playoffs this season. If they don’t, the team has promised to refund every season ticket, a move that could cost them over $2 million. For whatever reason, managing partner Brett Bouchy seems unconcerned about the move backfiring.

“If in fact it does happen, I don’t think it’s a terrible thing. How bad would it be? It’s for essentially a year. We hope to bring people back to buy season tickets for next year. It still would be a cash loss for us. It is a risk. But it’s a risk we’re fully aware of.”

There’s nothing like winning over fans by demonstrating a complete lack of fiscal responsibility—it’s a strategy that seems to have worked for the Red Sox and the Yankees.

Here’s my question. If the Rattlers need a win on the last day of the season to make the playoffs (but have no chance of winning a playoff game) do you root against them so you can get your $250 back? That’s a tough decision if you’re not a die-hard fan. The correct answer is that you don’t root against them. Instead you place a $250 bet on the Rattlers to win—that way instead of being even if they win and up $250 if they lose, you’re even if they lose and up $250 if they win. With one cleverly placed wager you’ve ruined the rooting conflict. Isn’t gambling great?

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