Washington Redskins fans are used to long-shot odds. Now the team thinks they’re suckers, too.
The Redskins and the Virginia Lottery are combining on a new scratchoff game under a recent NFL deal for all teams. You know the drill — run your quarter across the three bars, win nothing, curse and throw the card in the trash.
Lotteries are sucker games. They peddle the dream of being the one in a million that draws desperate souls, often the poorest of society, to bet their money. Actually, it’s a bigger long shot than that. Odds of winning the Mega Millions Lottery 5+ Mega Ball game are 175,711,536 to 1. The odds of being killed by lightning are 2,320,000 to 1. Chances of dating a super model are 88,000 to 1. Odds of dating a millionaire are only 215 to 1.
Virginia gaming officials haven’t disclosed the odds of winning their game yet. They’re also hinting of non-cash prizes related to the team. Oh boy, you might win a Jason Campbell jersey. Maybe free parking for one game or 10 percent off Johnny Rockets shakes.
The jackpot could be four shares of Six Flags stock so you get your dollar back.
“This is a great relationship for us,” said Mitch Gershman, the Redskins Chief Operating Officer. “We envision a game that will link lottery fans with the Redskins in new and exciting ways.”
Gee, Mitch, here’s a thought — how about a Super Bowl tickets lottery for Redskins fans like the old days before owner Dan Snyder arrived. Now that would be “new and exciting” for this ownership group.
The NFL selling its logo on lottery games cheapens the product, but greedy owners are so desperate for new revenues they’re willing to sell themselves on anything. What’s next — advertising on uniforms like jockeys in the Triple Crown? Stadium lights that spell out product names between plays? Halftime concerts?
Do the Redskins really need royalty rights from lottery tickets? Why not peddle Redskins VRE passes so you can be ridden out of town on a rail just like coaches. Redskins exercise tapes to build up leg muscles for the long walk to your car at FedEx Field. Redskins cola that makes you choke?
Forget these gambling slips and bet on a real thing — this isn’t the last time the Redskins will seek your cash with “new and exciting opportunities.”
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or e-mail [email protected]
