Every modern Super Bowl comes with headlines about million-dollar bets. Few lead to hundreds of thousands of dollars for a good cause.
Florida attorney Dan Newlin this week placed a $1-million bet with Hard Rock Bet on the Seattle Seahawks to defeat the New England Patriots on Sunday. A winning bet on the favored Seahawks would net Newlin more than $400,000.
If Seattle wins, Newlin has pledged to donate the winnings to Orlando’s Nemours Children’s Hospital.
Newlin spoke with Covers' Ryan Butler about the inspiration behind the bet, why he picked the Seahawks, and his contributions to the hospital - whether his bet wins or loses.
RB: You've contributed frequently to charity before, but what inspired a donation to this cause?
DN: “I've been working with Nemours for over 10 years, and I really got involved with this because one of my daughter's grade school friends was diagnosed with a rare leukemia. We lived the journey with their parents and the child. Thankfully, she survived and she's with us today, but it was a lot of touch-and-go. There's a lot of unknown, a lot of pain and suffering that the child went through. But just watching it, being a part of that journey as a friend, really opened my eyes to pediatric cancer.
“In the process, I got to meet the doctors. I got to meet the people that were doing scientific testing, and I really learned way back then that most pediatric cancer cures are found by local physicians that spend their own time behind the scenes working, experimenting, and doing new techniques, and that there wasn't a lot of funding for it. And so for a long time I've been focused on giving back more specifically for pediatric cancer research, and I know that that's gone to really good uses.”
How did you and Hard Rock partner for this bet?
“I thought making a million dollar bet, that's kind of just fun, but if we can take a million-dollar bet and spotlight it and give the money back to the Nemours, that would be a unique way to bring a lot of awareness, a lot of buzz and chatter about the bet. So I'm really proud that I got to go to Nemours hospital and meet with their CEO, meet with their board, and they were 100% behind it.
“Hard Rock Bet got involved, and they were 100% behind it as well. So I just thought I've got the support of who I need and I just have to go place a bet and make sure that it goes public, and then we can talk about winning the Super Bowl, and we can also talk about doing something really cool.”
How do you think this bet will impact people beyond the hospital?
“I think it inspires other people. Think about how there's going to be close to two billion dollars bet on the Super Bowl this year. How cool is it that people would really consider giving that to a charity that they know can make a difference in somebody's life.
“And already, the word on the street in Central Florida is that other people are already stepping up to do other cool things, not match my bet monetarily, but placing bets in the thousands of dollars. They're saying they're going to do this and give it back. I've heard that the Orlando Coalition for the Homeless was doing something for it. So that's what it's all about, creating a conversation and creating a buzz and awareness.”
You’re clearly a huge sports fan, but are you a big sports bettor yourself?
“I do like to bet on sports, especially football, but I'm a modest person. Just small monetary bets, no million-dollar bets or even $100,000. But I like to follow the sport, and I think it makes it a little bit more interesting when we have something on the line. So for me, this is taking it to the extreme, but it's all for a good cause.”
What led you to pick the Seahawks?
“I picked the Seahawks because the Seahawks are going to win the Super Bowl. That's why I picked them. I went with a bet that really increased my odds of winning. Some people say you're going with the least amount of gambling risk, but I feel good about it.
“Most people that see this bet don't understand the entire betting market like you and I do, but all they're going to know is Seahawks win, the Nemours gets a big check. And something else that I've told everybody is that win or lose, the Nemours will always win with me.
“Right now, I just want to focus on winning the bet and spotlighting pediatric cancer research.”
I have to ask, what happens if the Patriots win?
“Next week, I’ll be at the Hospital, win or lose, with the scientists, with doctors, with the CEO, with kids and families that are all currently battling or have battled cancer. They're doing a big celebration. So I'll be at the hospital, and win or lose, I'll be bringing a check to the hospital.
“For now, I’m just excited about the game and excited about getting out there and enjoying the Super Bowl experience and knowing that there's something really good that will come out of it. At the end of the day, we'll be able to help save some children's lives, and that'll be the coolest thing about the Super Bowl this year.”
