With an estimated 30% increase in seasonal NFL wagers, we wanted to know which NFL fan bases spend the most on bets per season. We huddled up with 2,000 NFL fans who actively place sports bets to discover which fans are taking the ultimate gamble on their team’s success!  

Key Findings: 

• Carolina Panthers fans spend the most in NFL bets, wagering an average of $2,142 per season 

• Houston Texans fans come in 2^nd, spending an average of $2,125; with Cleveland Browns fans in 3^rd at $2,029 

• Denver Broncos fans spend the least in NFL bets, spending an average of just $255 per season 

• Super Bowl LVIII: About 68.4% of respondents placed a bet, with an average wage of $308.98 

NFL fan bases dominating the betting game 

Despite North Carolina just legalizing online sports betting earlier this year, these fans didn’t wait a second. Leading the NFL betting game, Carolina Panthers fans have the highest seasonal betting average in the league – laying down $2,142.63 on wagers. To help put that into perspective, that’s a whopping 740% more than Broncos fans, who came in last place for betting spend. Panthers’ fans like to dish out about $51.63 per game, but one mega-fan revealed they drop about $10k per season!  

Meanwhile, Houston Texans fans are lassoing in 2^nd place with a seasonal average of $2,125. Per game, these fans are riding high with an average of $84.17, while maintaining the top spot in betting frequency. On a scale of 1 (never) to 10 (every game), Texans fans are making wagers on an average of 6.9 times – equivalent to 3-4 games per week. Hut, hut, yeehaw! 

Up North, Cleveland Browns fans are in 3^rd place, shelling out $2,029.38 during the NFL season. On a per-game basis, they typically spend about $41.94 in bets. But Browns’ fans aren’t just here for the highlights – they’re consistently betting! Trailing Houston Texans, they’re 2^nd place in betting frequency, wagering 3 games per week.  

In 4^th place, the Las Vegas Raiders fans bet an average of $1,912.94 over a full season. With nearly 200 sportsbooks in Nevada, it’s no surprise they’re placing bets frequently! The Kansas City Chiefs fans round out the top five, wagering $1,833.28 per season. They also hold 4^th place in betting frequency (about 2-3 games per week).  

Playing (wallet) defense: NFL fan bases betting the least  

Despite sports betting being legalized since 2020, Denver Broncos fans are playing it safe, ranking last in NFL betting. Fans spend just $255 per season – roughly 85.7% less than the league average of $1,787. They typically bet twice per month, and when they do, it’s a modest $27.31 per game. Whether they’re being cautious or not banking on a Broncos win, they’re definitely not throwing cash at the field!  

Over on the East Coast, Tennessee Titans fans aren’t exactly touchdown- ready with their wallets. Ranking 2^nd to last in NFL betting, they spend $329.62 per season. Even though they bet roughly once a week, their average wager sits at $33.54 – more of a short gain than a winning play in betting terms!  

New Orleans Saints fans aren’t far behind, as they’re sitting 3^rd to last. They cash out around $420.83 per season, placing bets about 3.5 times per month. When they do bet, they’re only putting down an average of $26 per wager. Perhaps they’re saving the big plays for Mardi Gras?  

Rounding out the bottom five, Cincinnati Bengals fans rank 4^th to last with a seasonal spend of $480.43, while Seattle Seahawks fans follow close behind (5^th to last) – averaging $489.41 per season. Looks like these fans are playing it safe for now, possibly waiting for the perfect moment to take a bigger swing. 

Super Bowl LVIII: NFL’s top 10 biggest bettors  

The latest Super Bowl LVIII shattered betting records in Nevada sportsbooks, alone – $185.6 million to be exact. This is $6 million more than the previous year’s Super Bowl! With that said, we asked each NFL fan base if they participated in Super Bowl LVIII bets, and if so, how much they wagered.  

Here are the top 10 fan bases with the highest Super Bowl LVIII betting averages:  

#1 Dallas Cowboys: $1,542.53 

#2 Green Bay Packers: $766.65 

#3 Houston Texans: $663.18 

#4 Philadelphia Eagles: $394.00 

#5 Kansas City Chiefs: $354.48  

#6 Atlanta Falcons: $353.00 

#7 Chicago Bears: $265.24 

#8 San Francisco 49ers: $226.39 

#9 New York Jets: $223.00 

#10 Cleveland Browns: $221.00  

According to our survey, the average Super Bowl LVIII bet was $308.98, but Dallas Cowboys fans went all out – wagering 399% higher than the average. Talk about the Wild West in Super Bowl bets!  

Conclusion

In the NFL betting world, some fans are going all-in where their team pride is, while others play it safe. From the Carolina Panthers’ biggest wagers to the Denver Broncos’ reserved players, it is clear which fan bases are the most passionate for a big win. As the season progresses and the sports betting landscape continues to grow, it’ll be interesting to see which fan bases go for the touchdown– and which ones stick to the sidelines.  

Methodology 

In September 2024, we conducted a nationwide survey of 2,000 sports bettors who actively watch the NFL. The average age of respondents was 39.1 years old. The representative sample comprised of 78.5% male, 20.9% female, 0.4% non-binary, and 0.2% transgender. The average annual gross income was $84,107.98.  

Fair use 

Feel free to use the data or visuals on this page for non-commercial purposes. Please be sure to include proper attribution linking back to this page to give credit to the authors.  

For any press questions, please contact rhiannon.odonohoe[at]casino.org 

Following the new deal, this left us wondering: how would other fan bases feel if their team signed up for a similar play? Would they allow a gambling logo on their team’s helmets? How would they react to gambling branding throughout their beloved arena? We hit the ice rink and surveyed 3,000 NHL fans to find out.  

Key Findings:

• Anaheim Ducks fans lead in support, with 50% giving a thumbs up to gambling partnerships 

• Vancouver Canucks fans show the most disapproval, with 44.8% against gambling sponsorships  

• Over half (54.7%) of NHL fans are indifferent on NHL gambling partnerships  

• In-arena branding is the most favored of gambling sponsorship among fans  

Fan bases who stand behind gambling sponsorships

If an NHL team were to strike a deal with a gambling company, these fan bases are ready to back the move. Note: teams that already have gambling partnerships in the 2023-2024 season or upcoming season weren’t asked this question of the survey. 

Ranking #1, Anaheim Ducks fans are all in, with 50% giving the big thumbs up. What’s interesting is that most forms of gambling are illegal in California – including online sports betting and casino gaming. Yet, California-based teams dominate the top 10 rankings, with Los Angeles Kings (#4) and San Jose Sharks (#6) fans also supporting a potential partnership if gambling becomes legalized in the state.  

Florida Panthers fans rank #2, with 37.5% supporting a possible gambling sponsorship. Unlike California, Florida already allows sports betting. Buffalo Sabres fans rank #3 at 34.5%, despite New York also having strict limits on gambling.  

How about the teams that already have gambling sponsorships?

We also surveyed fans of NHL teams that already hold gambling sponsorships in 2023-2024 or for the upcoming season to see how they feel about it.  

The overall consensus? Most fans don’t seem to mind, with 50% or more ‘I don’t care’ rates from each fan base. However, Edmonton Oilers fans lead in disapproval, with 42.9% expressing their dislike for the partnership. On the flip side, Chicago Blackhawks fans show the most support, with 17.8% giving a thumbs up to their current partnership. 

Not in my ice rink! Fan bases opposed to gambling sponsorships

We surveyed fan bases whose teams don’t currently have gambling partnerships, and excluded those that already do. The results show some strong opinions, especially from Canadian fan bases.  

It’s no shocker that the Vancouver Canucks (44.8%), Calgary Flames (38.6%) and Winnipeg Jets (34.6%) rank as the top 3 fan bases opposed to gambling sponsorships. Gambling is still offside in B.C. and Manitoba, and while Alberta just legalized online gambling, the uproar from Edmonton Oilers fans makes it clear that their province rivals, the Calgary Flames, share similar sentiments.  

What’s really interesting is that all Canadian NHL teams (for those surveyed with this question) are in the top five for opposing gambling partnerships. In true Canadian spirit, perhaps hockey is too sacred to be touched. ?

Odds are in NHL’s favor: Fans actually don’t care in the end 

Overall, most NHL fans don’t seem too fazed by the rise of gambling sponsorships. According to our survey, 54.7% don’t care if their team strikes a deal with a gambling company. Since only a quarter are against the idea and 20% are for the partnership, we asked which types of gambling sponsorships they’d find acceptable, if any. Here’s what they said:  

Despite in-arena branding being the most visible form of sponsorship, 63.5% of fans have ok’d it. Social media branding (57.1%) and game-day partnership announcements (50.4%) also got a solid thumbs up from fans. 

Surprisingly, slapping a gambling logo on memorabilia didn’t score as well: only 28.7% are okay with logos on jerseys, 26.2% with logos on helmets, and 20.4% with branding on other team merchandise. It seems fans want to keep their team colors and gear true to their hockey roots. 

Only a mere 19.1% of fans are against any form of gambling sponsorship. Perhaps, hinting that most are open to this new era of sports betting partnerships.  

Conclusion

In the end, NHL fans don’t seem to mind the idea of a gambling partnership for their favorite team. In states like California, where gambling isn’t fully legalized, fans are still showing support for potential future deals. However, to stay on the good side of their fans, it might be wise to steer clear of putting logos on cherished jerseys, helmets, or other merchandise. Keeping sponsorships to arena branding or game-day announcements seems like a safer bet.  

Methodology

In September 2024, we conducted a nationwide survey of 3,000 NHL fans. The average age of respondents was 39.7 years old. The representative sample comprised of 64.1% male, 34.8% female, 0.8% non-binary, and 0.3% transgender. 

Fair use 

Feel free to use the data or visuals on this page for non-commercial purposes. Please be sure to include proper attribution linking back to this page to give credit to the authors. 

For any press questions, please contact rhiannon.odonohoe[at]casino.org 

• NFL Playoffs Structure: The NFL playoffs consist of multiple rounds starting with the wild card round, where teams that did not win their division but have a strong record compete for a chance to advance. The playoffs progress to the divisional rounds, where winners from the wild card round face top-seeded division winners.
• Playoff Seeding System: Playoff seeding determines how teams are ranked and matched up in the postseason. Teams are ranked based on their regular-season records and divisional standings. The seeding impacts which teams have home-field advantage and the matchups in each round of the playoffs.
• Home-Field Advantage: Home-field advantage in the NFL playoffs is a significant factor that can influence game outcomes. Playing at home provides teams with familiar surroundings, supportive fans, and potential climate advantages.
• Single-Elimination Format: In the NFL playoffs, the single-elimination format means that teams must win to advance and continue their postseason journey. Losing a game in the playoffs results in immediate elimination from the tournament.
• Postseason Excitement: The NFL postseason is a thrilling period in American sports, where the top teams compete for the ultimate prize of winning the Super Bowl. As teams advance through the playoffs, the stakes get higher, and the excitement builds towards the championship game.

After a grueling regular season, the men get separated from the boys, and it’s time to get down to the real business. That’s right, we’re talking about the NFL Playoffs.

It’s the goal of every NFL franchise, but only a select few make it to the Playoffs each year, where they fight it out for the right to play in the greatest show in US sports, the Super Bowl.

But how exactly does it all work?

Here we’ll cover everything you need to know about the NFL Playoffs, from the schedule and how it works to reseeding and wild cards.

How Does The NFL Season Work?

The NFL is split into two conferences: the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). Each conference has 16 teams, making a total of 32 teams in the whole NFL.

Each team plays 17 times across an 18-week period, typically starting in early September and ending in late December or early January. After each team has played all their regular season matches, the 14 best teams battle it out to try and win the Super Bowl, the NFL’s overall championship game.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Divisions and Scheduling

The two NFL conferences are also split into divisions of four teams. These divisions are based on geography and historical rivalry from the pre-NFL era.

The AFC is made up of the following divisions:

• North: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers.
• South: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans.
• East: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets.
• West: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers.

The NFC is made up of the following divisions:

• North: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings.
• South: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
• East: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders.
• West: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks.

The NFL scheduling formula means that teams have a slightly different set of fixtures every year. They always play their divisional rivals twice, but the rest of their schedule is changeable.

The formula is as follows:

• Each NFL team has to play the other three teams in its division twice, once at home and once on the road.
• Each team plays one game against the four teams in another predetermined division within its own conference (which is rotated every three years). Two games at home and two on the road.
• Each team plays one game against every team from the remaining two divisions in its conference that finished in a similar position in their divisional standings in the previous season. One game at home, one on the road.
• Each team plays one game against all four teams from a predetermined division (which is rotated every four years) in the other conference. Two games at home and two on the road.
• Each team also plays one game against another team from a predetermined division (which is rotated every four years) in the other conference that finished in a similar position in the final divisional standings in the previous season.

Image credit: Shutterstock

How The NFL Playoffs work

Played since 1932, the NFL Playoffs are a knockout tournament.

So, if you lose, you go home and it’s back to the drawing board again next season. If you win, you’re one step closer to glory.

Seven teams from each conference fight it out in the Playoffs, with one team from the AFC and one from the NFC competing in the Super Bowl.

The Playoffs only feature the best teams (and usually the best players) in each season, so those golden weeks in the dead of winter provide white-hot entertainment for NFL fans across the globe.

The Playoffs can create unique matchups where even the biggest underdog has a chance.

When Do The NFL Regular Season And Playoffs Take Place?

The NFL regular season begins the weekend after the first Monday of September (Labor Day) and ends in early January.

The Playoffs take place across four weekends from January into February every season. The Super Bowl traditionally always took place on the first Sunday in February.

However, 2020 was the final Super Bowl played on the first Sunday in February for the foreseeable future due to the NFL’s new 17-game schedule.

Super Bowl LVI (2021) was played on the second Sunday in February, and Super Bowl LVII (2022) will follow suit.

Qualification And Seeding

14 teams qualify for the NFL Playoffs. This includes the four divisional champions and three wild cards from each conference.

The four teams with the best record in each conference (NFC and AFC) are seeded one through four. The team with the best record is seeded one, the second-best record is seeded two, and so on.

The two teams with the best record in each conference are then given a bye week (they don’t have to play) in the first round of the Playoffs, which is also known as ‘wild card weekend.’

Teams qualify for the Playoffs as ‘wild cards’ if they have one of the three best overall records (number of wins, losses, and ties) of all remaining teams in their conference.

The wild card teams are seeded numbers five, six, and seven based on their records.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Wild Cards Explained

‘Wild card’ Playoff teams were first introduced to the NFL in 1970, when the modern league was founded, following a merger of the National Football League and the American Football League.

Wild card teams are the three teams with the best records in each conference who do not win their division. These teams always play on wild card weekend, the week before the divisional Playoffs.

The four division winners in each conference are seeded one to four based on their record, with the #1 seed getting a bye in the first round. Each wild card team plays one of the divisional winners based on their rankings going into the Playoffs.

Each conference is split as follows:

• Division Winner #1 – BYE
• Division Winner #2 vs Wild Card #7
• Division Winner #3 vs Wild Card #6
• Division Winner #4 vs Wild Card #5

So, the better your regular season record, the more favorable your draw is in the Playoffs.

Reseeding In The NFL Playoffs

Throughout the Playoffs, the lowest-seeded team always plays against the highest-seeded team in each round. The higher-seeded team always plays at home too. So, who you play against and where is always subject to change. This is known as reseeding.?

Reseeding is designed to give a significant advantage to the teams with the best regular-season records. It also makes it difficult, but not impossible, for wild card teams to make it to the Super Bowl. Reseeding often impacts the Playoffs and changes the picture for all the teams involved.

For example, both number one ranked teams in the 2022 Playoffs lost in the divisional round. This meant the number two ranked teams now became number one and had the massive advantage of playing at home in all the rounds before the Super Bowl.

NFL Playoff Bracket

The Playoff ‘bracket’ is the Playoff schedule as it stands at the present time. The bracket is subject to change depending on the regular season and Playoff results.

Eager fans start thinking about the Playoff bracket and what it might mean for their team’s ambitions as the season nears a close.

For more NFL guides, check out our article on octopus betting.

Every player, coach, and fan desperately want to win, and if you put a run together in the playoffs, you could go down in history.

Here are some of the biggest stories from the history of the NFL playoffs, including some of the best plays in football and all-time great wild card teams that will forever be in fans’ hearts.

New York Jets – 2009

If you’ve followed the NFL for any length of time, you’ll know that the New York Jets and the playoffs don’t exactly go together like a hot dog and ketchup.

The Jets have qualified for the playoffs just 14 times in their history, which is a pretty terrible record considering over a third of the other teams didn’t even exist when the Jets were founded in 1960.

But, that all changed in the 2009-10 season when the Jets and head coach Rex Ryan reached the AFC Championship game, only to be denied a Super Bowl spot by the Peyton Manning-led Indianapolis Colts.

Ever heard of him? Me neither.

The Jets reached the playoffs as wild cards after finishing second in the AFC East division.

They beat the third-ranked Cincinnati Bengals and second-seeded San Diego Chargers on the way to the Championship game, but no one even gave them a chance of making the playoffs when they slumped to a 4-6 record after 10 games.

Sportsbooks, commentators, and fans alike were equally shocked by the Jets’ performance.

Despite falling short, the Jets’ playoff antics went down in NFL folk law, and many fans still remember their run fondly.

Image credit: Shutterstock

New York Giants – 2007

Thanks to a poor season in 2006, expectations were low for the Giants in 2007. Head coach Tom Coughlin and starting QB Eli Manning were both under massive pressure.

Eli wasn’t helped by the fact that 2004 draft alumni Ben Roethlisberger and Philip Rivers were leading their respective teams with aplomb, while his older brother was reigning Super Bowl champion and MVP.

The season started badly, too, losing their first two games. However, the team recovered to an overall record of 10-6 and clinched a wildcard spot in the playoffs.

Again, no one gave the Giants a chance to go deep, with Eli Manning having never won a playoff game before.

That quickly changed when the Giants claimed a 24-14 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and were off to the races.

They followed this up with a win over the Dallas Cowboys and an overtime victory against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game to book their place in the Super Bowl.

Surely glory was a step too far, as the Giants faced the Patriots and Tom Brady, who already had three Super Bowl wins to his name.

But the Giants would not be denied, and following one of the best plays in football by Eli Manning and David Tyree, which has since become known as the “helmet catch”’ (with just 1.15 on the clock in the final quarter), they secured victory.

This made the Giants just the fifth team in NFL history to win the Super Bowl as a wild card team and confirmed the greatness of the Manning football dynasty.

Image credit: Ringo Chui/Shutterstock

Baltimore Ravens – 2000

Defense wins championships; just ask Super Bowl XXXV winners, the Baltimore Ravens.

After qualifying as a wild card, the Ravens dominated their opposition throughout the playoffs with outrageous defensive prowess.

Remarkably, the Ravens’ defense gave up just 23 points to their playoff opponents in total across four games.

Their offense struggled throughout the season but did their job as they dominated the New York Giants in the Super Bowl, running out as 34-7 victors.

Regarded as one of if not the greatest NFL defense of all time, the Ravens were led by 13-time Pro Bowler Ray Lewis.

The hall of famer was named Super Bowl XXXV MVP and was inspirational throughout the playoffs.

He recorded 31 tackles, two interceptions, 9 pass deflections, one fumble recovery, and a touchdown during the run. Big game player who made some of the best plays in football.

The Baltimore Ravens rightfully take their place in NFL playoff history. Maybe one for the purists, though.

Image credit: Shutterstock

New England Patriots – 1985

The Patriots are synonymous with success over the last two decades in the NFL, largely due to the Belichick/Brady combination that brought no less than six Super Bowl wins to Foxborough.

Belichick (six) and Brady (seven) top the lists of head coaches, and quarterbacks with the most Super Bowl wins in history. Not too shabby.

But, before this dynamic duo changed the face of modern football, the Pats didn’t have a single Super Bowl win to their name.

This was despite the best efforts of the 1985 team, who, against all odds, made the Super Bowl, only to be outdone by another all-time great defense, the Chicago Bears.

Noticing a theme here?

The Patriots became the first team in NFL history to win all three road games on the way to the Super Bowl, beating the Jets, Raiders, and Dolphins, respectively.

No one in the league gave this a chance, especially because the Patriots were beaten by all of these teams in those stadiums in the regular season.

It wasn’t to be in 1985, but it was still an all-time great playoff run.

And it worked out alright for the Patriots in the end, too. Good things come to those who wait.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Pittsburgh Steelers – 1972

The greatest moment in NFL playoff history, one of the best plays in football, and possibly the most amazing moment in NFL history in general, came between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Divisional playoff game in 1972.

Widely known as the “Immaculate Reception,” a play of sheer madness saw the Steelers score a touchdown while trailing 7-6 with just a few seconds remaining in the game.

It was fourth down, and there were 22 seconds on the clock.

Steelers QB Terry Bradshaw was under huge pressure from the Raiders’ defensive line. He scrambled out of the pocket and dodged a tackle before throwing the ball toward his running back, John Fuqua.

The pass was overthrown, and the Raiders safety Jack Tatum broke it up, and that was game over. Or so it seemed…

The ball actually cannoned off Tatum’s helmet. It ricocheted up into the air and the grateful arms of the on-running Steelers fullback, Franco Harris.

He picked the ball up on about the 40-yard line, evaded the scattered Raiders defenders, and ran the ball home for a touchdown.

Although the Steelers lost the AFC championship game to the Miami Dolphins the following week, this game will always be remembered for this single play alone.

The play has to be seen to be believed and the shock on the faces of the Raiders’ defenders said it all.

They were incredibly unlucky to lose in such a way, but for everyone else, it was a play we’d never forget.

Luckily, the NFL has been blessed with some outstanding quarterbacks, but who is the greatest? In this article, we break down the best NFL quarterbacks based on their skills, stats, and achievements. Ready? Set hut!

20. Kurt Warner (1998 – 2009)

The first name on our list, Kurt Warner, is a true NFL underdog story. After a solid but unspectacular college career, he went undrafted in the 1994 NFL draft before playing in the Indoor Football League (IFL) and NFL Europe.

Warner was signed by the St. Louis Rams as cover for Trent Green who had suffered a torn ACL. In each of Warner’s first three NFL starts, he threw three touchdown passes and went on to have one of the best seasons by a quarterback in NFL history.

He threw for 4,353 yards and 41 touchdown passes with a completion rate of 65.1%. He was named NFL MVP and won the Super Bowl. In total, he played 12 seasons for the Rams, Cardinals, and Giants, throwing 32,344 yards and 208 touchdowns.

Warner was a four-time Pro Bowler, two-time MVP, Super Bowl MVP, Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017. Warner is certainly worth of being named one of the best quarterbacks of all time.

19. Jim Kelly (1986 – 1996)

Jim Kelly was selected as the 14th overall pick by the Buffalo Bills in the 1983 NFL Draft. This turned out to be a great move for both the franchise and the player. Kelly led the Bills to a record four consecutive Super Bowls, though was unable to convert these appearances into wins.

He may not be the best quarterback ever, having never won the Super Bowl, but Kelly was an outstanding performer for the Bills, who employed a no-huddle offense and thrilled fans with their attacking play. He played 11 NFL seasons and threw for a total of 35,467 yards and 237 touchdowns, both of which are Buffalo records. Kelly was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

18. Terry Bradshaw (1970 – 1983)

Terry Bradshaw was the leader of the Pittsburgh Steelers dynasty that dominated the NFL in the mid to late 1970s. During this time they won four Super Bowl championships in six years. Bradshaw was selected as the number one pick in the 1970 draft by the Steelers, but things could have been very different.

At the end of the 1969 season, both the Steelers and the Chicago Bears had identical 1-13 records. So, to decide which team would get the first pick in the draft, they settled it with a coin flip. Pittsburgh won, and the rest is history.

Terry Bradshaw went on to play 14 seasons for the Steelers and threw for 27,989 yards and 212 touchdowns. He was a three-time Pro Bowler, one-time MVP, two-time Super Bowl MVP, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.

17. Warren Moon (1984 – 2000)

Warren Moon had a long and successful football career where he played in both the CFL and NFL. Another player who went undrafted out of college, Moon honed his skill by playing for the Edmonton Eskimos. Here he led the team to five consecutive Grey Cup victories.

The same level of team success did not follow when Moon joined the Houston Oilers in the NFL in 1984, but he still made outstanding individual contributions. He lead the Oilers to seven consecutive playoff appearances between 1987 and 1993.

In his 22-year NFL career, he threw for 49,325 yards and 291 touchdowns. He was a nine-time Pro Bowler, one-time Offensive Player of the Year, and Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.

He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006, becoming the first African-American and the first undrafted quarterback to do so. Moon is also the only player who has been inducted into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.

He is well-deserving of a place on our list of the best quarterbacks of all time.

16. Otto Graham (1946 – 1955)

Otto Graham is a legend in Cleveland. He led the Browns to an unprecedented seven championship wins in just 10 seasons from 1946 to 1955. Despite playing a lot of his career before the Super Bowl era began, Graham’s impact can not be underestimated.

He still holds NFL records for career average yards gained per pass attempt (8.63) and the highest career winning percentage for an NFL starting quarterback (81.0%). This has helped him be remembered as one of the best NFL quarterbacks.

In total, Graham played 6 NFL seasons for the Browns, throwing 13,499 yards and 88 touchdowns. He was selected to play in 5 Pro Bowls and won 3 championships. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1965.

15. Troy Aikman (1989 – 2000)

Troy Aikman was always destined for greatness. A standout in both football and baseball in high school, the New York Mets offered Aikman a contract to join them when he graduated. Aikman turned the offer to play pro baseball down and instead chose to play football for the University of Oklahoma Sooners.

After a stellar college career, Aikman was selected as the first overall pick in the 1989 draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Cowboys fans are still thanking their lucky stars that Aikman didn’t choose baseball.

In 12 seasons for the Cowboys, Aikman threw for 32,942 yards and 165 touchdowns. He was selected to play in 6 Pro Bowls, won the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award, 1 Super Bowl MVP award, and 3 championships. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.

14. Bart Starr (1956 – 1971)

Bart Starr is another legend of 50s and 60s football that makes our list. He played for the Green Bay Packers and was a five-time NFL champion, including Super Bowl I and II, where he also collected MVP awards. Starr was outstanding in big games and clutch moments and held a postseason record of 9-1.

In total, he threw for 24,718 yards and 152 touchdowns, was selected to play in four Pro Bowls, and won 1 MVP award, 2 Super Bowl MVP awards, and 5 championships. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977.

13. Ben Roethlisberger (2004 – 2021)

Ben Roethlisberger delivered outstanding performances individually and at a team level during his 18 seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers. After being selected as the 11th overall pick in the 2004 draft, he shone in his early NFL career.

He won the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2004, and in 2005 became the youngest Super Bowl–winning quarterback in NFL history, aged just 23. Big Ben and the Steelers followed this Super Bowl victory up with another one three years later, claiming the franchises’ second title in four seasons.

In his career, Roethlisberger threw for 64,088 yards and 418 touchdowns and was selected to play in the Pro Bowl six times.

12. Roger Staubach (1969 – 1979)

Roger Staubach is the only Heisman Trophy winner to appear on our list of the greatest NFL quarterbacks ever. He followed up his domination of the college game with an outstanding pro career.

Like many of the great quarterbacks on this list, Staubach spent his entire career with one franchise. This stability helped him become one of the most memorable players of the 1970s.

Staubach played 11 seasons for the Cowboys where he threw for a total of 22,700 yards and 153 touchdowns. He was a two-time Super Bowl champion, one-time Super Bowl MVP, six-time Pro Bowler, and recipient of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.

Staubach is even one of the richest NFL players in history, having sold a real estate business for $613 million.

11. Fran Tarkenton (1961 – 1978)

Fran Tarkenton aged like a fine wine. Although he was an exceptional college player and had remarkable success in his early NFL career, it was his 15th season in the league that cemented him as one of the best quarterbacks of all time.

In 1975, he was named both the NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year. He was just the fourth player in league history to do so at the time. He led the league in both completions and touchdowns and took the Minnesota Vikings to the Super Bowl in back-to-back seasons.

Despite never winning a Super Bowl, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his era. He threw for 47,003 yards and 342 touchdowns.

10. Dan Marino (1983 – 1999)

Dan Marino is arguably the greatest quarterback (and the highest-ranked on our list) to never win a Super Bowl. He reached the Super Bowl just once. Yet another one-team man, Marino was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 1983. He went on to become one of the most iconic and effective players of the 1980s and 90s.

Marino was an outstanding passer, and led the Dolphins to the playoffs in 10 of his 17 seasons. When he retired he held more than 40 NFL single-season and career passing records, and was the first quarterback to throw 400 career touchdowns.

In total, he threw for 61,361 yards and 420 touchdowns, was selected to play in nine Pro Bowls, and won one Offensive Player of the Year award, one MVP award, and the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.

Marino doesn’t need a Super Bowl win to be remembered as one of the best NFL quarterbacks of all time!

9. Steve Young (1985 – 1999)

Steve Young is known as one of the most efficient and effective passers in NFL history. After starting his pro career in the USFL, he eventually joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1985. After a shocking two years with the Bucs, where Young went 3–16 as a starter, he moved to the San Francisco 49ers to act as a backup to superstar quarterback, Joe Montana (more on him later).

Thanks to a long-term injury to Montana in 1990, Young finally got his chance to start for the 49ers. In the subsequent seasons, he was named Offensive Player of the Year and league MVP twice. He led the league in most passing stats for several years, and eventually led the 49ers to victory at Super Bowl XXIX.

In his career, he threw for 33,124 yards and 232 touchdowns. He was selected to play in seven Pro Bowls, won one Super Bowl MVP award and three championships in total. Young was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.

8. Aaron Rodgers (2005 – present)

Aaron Rodgers is one of the most individually decorated quarterbacks in history. He has held more records than most players have made appearances in the NFL. It therefore comes as no surprise that he is widely regarded as one of the best quarterbacks of all time.

Rodgers is the first quarterback in history who has had a career passer rating over 100. He also has the best touchdown-to-interception ratio in NFL history at 4.52. During his 18-year career with the Green Bay Packers, the biggest surprise is that he only won one Super Bowl.

So far in his career, he has thrown for 59,055 yards and 475 touchdowns. He has been selected to play in 10 Pro Bowls, won four MVP awards and one Super Bowl MVP award.

7. Johnny Unitas (1956 – 1973)

Like many of the best quarterbacks in NFL history, Johnny Unitas is proof that you don’t have to be drafted as the first pick or have a glittering college career to go on to greatness in the NFL.

Unitas was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the ninth round of the 1955 draft but never made the team. A year later, he joined the Baltimore Colts where he would enjoy an unbelievable period of success.

In the next 17 seasons with the Colts, he was selected to play in 10 Pro Bowls (a record for a quarterback at the time), won three MVP awards, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award, and four NFL championships. In his career, he threw for 40,239 yards, 290 touchdowns and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

6. Brett Favre (1991 – 2010)

Brett Favre is undoubtedly one of the best quarterbacks of all time and a legend of the modern era. But, he didn’t always have universal approval. His first head coach in the NFL, Jerry Glanville, even said it would take a plane crash for him to put Favre into the game.

Clearly, it was never meant to be for Glanville and Farve at the Atlanta Falcons. That all changed when Farve was traded to the Green Bay Packers in 1992. Across 16 seasons in Green Bay, Farve became the only player in NFL history to win the league MVP award three seasons in a row. He also led the team to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances at XXXI and XXXII, winning the first.

Favre eventually moved on from the Packers, giving way to Aaron Rodgers. In 20 seasons for four teams he threw for a total of 71,838 yards and 508 touchdowns. He was also selected to play in 11 Pro Bowls, won one Offensive Player of the Year award, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.

5. John Elway (1983 – 1998)

John Elway is synonymous with the Denver Broncos as he is the only person in the franchise’s history to be associated with each of their three Super Bowl wins. Two came as a player in 1997 and 1998, and one as the general manager when they won Super Bowl 50.

As a player, Elway was a dual threat. He could easily escape trouble with his running ability while also being an accurate passer. It’s this that helped him become one of the best quarterbacks of all time. In 16 seasons for the Broncos, he threw for 51,475 yards and 300 touchdowns. He played in nine Pro Bowls, won one MVP award, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award, and one Super Bowl MVP award. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.

4. Drew Brees (2001 – 2020)

Despite a successful college career, where he finished in fourth and third positions in Heisman Trophy voting, NFL teams were unsure whether Drew Brees could be effective in the pro ranks. He was perceived as having a small stature and lack of arm strength. Brees was therefore only selected as the 32nd overall pick in the 2001 draft.

He established himself as a starter in his second season with the San Diego Chargers, but would truly find his home when he signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2006. During his time with the Saints, he became a passing powerhouse. He still holds the record for most seasons as passing yards leader in NFL history (seven).

In 20 total seasons in the NFL, he threw for 80,358 yards and 571 touchdowns. He was selected for 13 Pro Bowls, won one Comeback Player of the Year award, two Offensive Player of the Year awards, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award, one Super Bowl MVP award, and Super Bowl XLIV.

3. Joe Montana (1979 – 1994)

As we reach the top three best quarterbacks of all time, it goes without saying that these guys could perform under pressure.

Joe Montana is arguably the best clutch quarterback in history, known for producing his best at crucial moments. This includes a game-winning touchdown pass to Dwight Clark in the 1981 NFC Championship Game vs. Dallas (known as “The Catch”) and a championship-winning 92-yard drive against the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII.

“Joe Cool” held several NFL records when he retired in 1994. He was victorious in four out of four Super Bowl appearances, was named MVP in three, and holds Super Bowl career records for most passes without an interception (122) and the highest passer rating (127.8).

Montana threw for a career total of 40,551 yards and 273 touchdowns. He was selected to play in eight Pro Bowls, won one Offensive Player of the Year award, and two league MVP awards. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.

2. Peyton Manning (1998 – 2015)

While some may have hoped to see two Mannings on this list (we see you Giants fans), there is no doubt that Peyton deserves his place amongst the very best NFL quarterbacks of all time. He entered the league after the Indianapolis Colts selected him with the first pick of the 1998 draft.

In his glittering career, Manning amassed a huge number of individual records, including the most MVP awards (five), most touchdown passes in a season (55), and most First-Team All-Pro selections (seven).

Despite winning two Super Bowls (one with the Colts and one with the Broncos), his outstanding regular season stats did not translate to the playoffs, and his career postseason record is just 14–13. Although there have been questions asked of Manning in this regard, he is a hugely gifted player.

In total, he threw for 71,940 yards and 539 touchdowns. He was selected for 14 Pro Bowls, won one Comeback Player of the Year award, two Offensive Player of the Year awards, and the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021.

1. Tom Brady (2000 – 2022)

It couldn’t have been anyone else, could it? Tom Brady is the best quarterback of all time.

What Tom Brady lacked in talent (he was the 199th overall pick in the 2000 draft) he made up for with sheer hard work, grit, and determination.

He won the most games in NFL regular season history (251), has the most career passing yards (89,214), most touchdown passes (649), most NFL championships of any player (seven), and most Super Bowl MVPs (five). So, no, it couldn’t have been anyone else.

Brady’s efficiency and longevity are testament to his ability as a competitor. But his relationship with Bill Belichick formed the most formidable head coach-quarterback combination in NFL history. With Belichick and Brady at the helm, the Patriots became the most dominant dynasty in the modern NFL. Brady’s accomplishments will probably remain unmatched for as long as the NFL exists.

In his career, Brady threw for 89,214 yards and 649 touchdowns, was selected to play in 15 Pro Bowls, won one Comeback Player of the Year award, two Offensive Player of the Year awards, and three MVP awards.

All hail the GOAT!

Lead Image: Brook Ward/Flickr, CC BY-NC 2.0

With bettors pegged to bet $35 billion on NFL games this year, knowing the best quarterback still playing is key. With that in mind, lets take a look at the top 10 in this article, as well as in the game that matters the most – the Super Bowl.

Who are the top touchdown performers in the big show? Keep reading to find out.

Who Has The Most Touchdowns In NFL History?: Most Touchdowns By a Quarterback

Unsurprisingly, the top 10 touchdown scorers in the history of the NFL are all quarterbacks. Jerry Rice has the most career touchdowns for a non-quarterback with 208, but he’s not even close to beating the no.10 on our list.

Note: All stats in this article are for regular-season games only.

10. Eli Manning (2004-2019) – 373

Sorry to ruin the surprise; this isn’t the only Manning brother on this list of the most touchdowns in NFL history (but more on that later).

Former 2x Super Bowl champ and no.1 draft pick Eli Manning sits at number 10 on the list of total career touchdowns. In his NFL career, he clocked an impressive 373 total touchdowns (366 passing, 7 rushing) and 57,023 yards.

9. Matt Ryan (2008-present) – 394

The NFL MVP from 2016, Matt Ryan has had an outstanding career despite never picking up a Super Bowl ring (don’t mention Super Bowl LI).

Up to the end of the 2022/23 season, he has a total of 394 career touchdowns (381 passing, 13 rushing) earning his place on the list of the most touchdowns in NFL history.

8. Dan Marino (1983-1999) 420

Miami Dolphins legend Dan Marino is another who makes the the most touchdowns in NFL history list without ever claiming football’s ultimate prize.

At the time of his retirement, Marino had a list of NFL records as long as your arm, but they have been slowly whittled away by the remaining QBs on this list.

In total, Marino recorded 429 career touchdowns (420 passing, 9 rushing).

7. Philip Rivers (2004-2020) – 424

In his time with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, Phillip Rivers started an awesome 224 consecutive games (2006-2019).

This longevity and durability, combined with his passing skill, accounted for a total of 424 career touchdowns (421 passing, 3 rushing). These stats are even more surprising, given how much time he’s spent raising his nine children.

6. Ben Roethlisberger (2004-2021) – 438

“Big Ben” spent his entire 15-year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and he enjoyed a lot of success.

Roethlisberger got his hands on two Super Bowl trophies and had great connections with his receivers. He has a career total of 438 touchdowns (418 passing, 20 rushing).

5. Aaron Rodgers (2005-present) – 510

Another one team man, Aaron Rodgers has had a glittering NFL career that includes a Super Bowl ring, a Super Bowl MVP, and 4 NFL MVP trophies.

Rodgers is still active, having recently joined the New York Jets, so he could add to his career total, but at the time of writing, he has 510 total touchdowns (475 passing, 35 rushing).

4. Brett Favre (1991-2010) – 522

Like no.5 on the list, no.4 is occupied by a famous Green Bay Packers QB, Brett Farve.

And like all of the other players on this list, the Super Bowl XXXI champ’s career touchdowns is in a large part thanks to his longevity.

In 20 seasons in the NFL, Farve recorded 522 total touchdowns (508 passing, 14 rushing).

3. Peyton Manning (1998-2015) – 557

The Manning brothers occupy the no.10 and no.3 spots on our list of all-time NFL touchdowns. Not bad for one family.

Like Eli, Peyton Manning was a no.1 draft pick when he entered the NFL and has two Super Bowl rings to his name. He has a career total of 557 touchdowns (539 passing, 18 rushing).

2. Drew Brees (2001-2020) – 596

Only a select few players have spent more time in the NFL than Drew Brees.

“Breesus” as he is affectionately known by New Orleans Saints fans, completed 20 seasons in the NFL and was consistently one of the best offensive players in the league for many years.

The Super Bowl XLIV champion and MVP led the league in passing seven times and in passing touchdowns four times, so it’s no surprise he sits so high on this list.

In his illustrious career, he had a total of 596 touchdowns (571 passing, 25 rushing).

1. Tom Brady (2000-2023) – 677

The number one spot on this list surprises nobody who knows anything about football. If you’re wondering about any NFL record, chances are Tom Brady holds it.

The seven-time Super Bowl champ recently announced his retirement from the NFL for the second time in two years and this time it looks like he means it.

The GOAT is the only man in NFL history to have achieved more than 600 touchdowns.

With (statistically at least) a career total of 677 touchdowns so far (649 passing, 28 rushing), it’s unlikely that this total will ever be matched – especially not by another 6th round pick.

Who Has The Most Touchdowns in NFL History?: Most Touchdowns In Super Bowls

Quarterbacks also dominate the list of most career touchdowns in Super Bowls, but not exclusively.

Rob Gronkowski is the only tight end on the list, and he recorded an impressive five TDs in five Super Bowl appearances thanks to his connection with Tom Brady.

Emmitt Smith, one of the greatest running backs in the history of the league, also secured five touchdowns in just three Super Bowl games for the Dallas Cowboys.

The final non-quarterback on this list is the consensus greatest wide receiver in football history, Jerry Rice. “World” caught an incredible eight touchdown passes in Super Bowls in just four games, coming out as champ in three.

And no prizes for guessing who’s no.1 on this list…

T-8. Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Rob Gronkoswki, Brett Farve (5)

7. Steve Young (6)

6. Kurt Warner (6)

5. Roger Staubach (8)

4. Jerry Rice (8)

3. Terry Bradshaw (9)

2. Joe Montana (11)

1. Tom Brady (21)

For more touchdown-related articles, check out our Octopus betting guide.

Lead image: Dave Adamson/Unsplash

We have collected data from the top-performing stars over the last three Premier League seasons to determine which football players are most ruthless on the pitch. To accompany this, we have also ranked the league’s biggest hot-heads and the most iconic football celebrations over the years.

If you are seeking a thrill off the pitch, our service allows you to browse some of the UK’s best online casino sites.

The coldest Premier League football players

1. Cole Palmer – 8.67/10

Cole Palmer was nicknamed “Cold Palmer” last year due to his ability to perform in big moments for club and country. Despite being young and inexperienced, Palmer cemented himself as Chelsea’s star man after signing for the club last summer.

As last season was Palmer’s first full year as a first-team regular, he has scored fewer goals than many others in this list in the past three seasons, but he scores when it counts the most, evidenced by his 32% match-winning goal statistic. Another factor that ratifies the “Cold Palmer” moniker is his incredible record from the penalty spot. His first goal for Chelsea was a penalty, and since then, he has cemented himself as the club’s go-to penalty taker with a 100% record from twelve yards.

2. Darwin Nú?ez – 8.56/10

Perhaps a surprising inclusion near the top of this list is Liverpool’s Uruguayan striker Darwin Nú?ez, who has a reputation for missing big chances and underperforming. This reputation may well be undeserved, according to the data.

Nú?ez’s shot conversion rate is poor compared to other high-profile strikers (13%), but he converts chances when it matters. This is evidenced by the fact that 40% of all the goals he has scored in the league have been match-winning, and 15% of all his goals have been scored in stoppage time.

3. Erling Haaland – 7.67/10

If you have recently followed the Premier League, you have likely heard of Erling Haaland. Although he has only played in the Premier League since 2022, he is already regarded as one of the greatest goalscorers the league has ever seen.

Of the factors contributing to Haaland’s 7.89 /10 overall score, he has an average shot conversion rate of 31% and an average goal every 85 minutes, both of which are the best scores of our top three entries in their respective categories.

The coldest Premier League footballers for…

Average minutes per goal

Erling Haaland – 85 minutes

After being revealed as having the biggest goal total over the last three Premier League seasons, it may come as no surprise that Erling Haaland features here, too. Haaland puts a goal away every 85 minutes on average, which equates to around one per game.

Average minutes per assist

Kevin De Bruyne – 172 minutes

Kevin De Bruyne has scored many goals in his career, but he is better known for setting up his teammates. The Manchester City attacking midfielder’s selflessness, passing ability, and vision, paired with his talented goal-scoring teammates, have resulted in De Bruyne earning an assist once every 172 minutes.

Match winning goals

Alexis Mac Allister – 45% of all goals scored

Alexis Mac Allister may not be the top goalscorer, but he puts them in the back of the net when it counts, evidenced by his nine match-winning goals, accounting for 45% of his goals across the last three Premier League seasons.

Of his match-winning goals, Liverpool fans will look back fondly on the central midfielder’s rocket of a shot, which saw the Reds take the lead over Sheffield United earlier this year and contributed to a 3-1 win which saw them temporarily retain their position at the top of the table.

Stoppage-time goals

Yoane Wissa – 15% of all goals scored

Stoppage-time goals can often be the difference between points or no points, and Yoane Wissa has a better record than most. The French left-winger has scored 26 goals across the last three Premier League seasons, and more than 15% of these have come during the added injury time at the end of matches.

Shot conversion rate

Alexander Isak – 32%

Since moving to English football’s top division in 2022, Alexander Isak has made a considerable impact at his current club, Newcastle United. He scored 21 goals in the last Premier League season alone. Isak’s shot conversion rate has stayed consistently high in the previous two seasons, averaging 32%.

Penalty conversion rate

Callum Wilson and Cole Palmer – 100%

Newcastle striker Callum Wilson and Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer are two players in our study who have taken over five penalties and scored 100% in the past three seasons. Neither of them has missed from twelve yards.

Palmer’s penalty kicks came in the latest season when he converted an incredible nine from nine spot kicks. Meanwhile, injury-prone forward Wilson has taken seven, spread over each season, and converted all of them.

The biggest Premier League hotheads

The coldest players in the Premier League are those that you can rely on to ice a big moment, delivering big for their team in attack to help them win matches. Defending is equally vital in football as most of the best sides have built success on the back of good defence and winning the ball.

However, when trying to win the ball back, sometimes mistakes happen, resulting in fouls and the possibility of further punishment from the referee. Some players are more prone to a hot head, playing recklessly, clumsily and sometimes aggressively in the attempt to win the ball or change momentum for their team. Some players may even see red metaphorically and physically in the form of a red card being shown to them, resulting in a send-off.

By studying data on players’ fouls, yellow cards and red cards, we have determined who some of the hottest-headed players in the Premier League have been in recent seasons.

1. Mason Holgate – 8.49/10

Defender Mason Holgate is the hottest-headed player to have played in the Premier League in recent years. The Yorkshire-born defender made his debut for Everton in 2016 whilst still a teenager, and he has gone on to make 136 Premier League appearances for both the Toffees and, more recently, Sheffield United.

Holgate is one of just three players to have received three red cards in the past three seasons. This means he averages a send-off every 1,119 minutes of football played. Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp described his most recent send-off as “one of the worst tackles I have seen in years,” and it was widely regarded as a moment of madness from Holgate. On top of this, he has a pursuant for yellow cards, as he gets one nearly every 224 minutes on average.

2. Oliver McBurnie – 7.78/10

Sheffield United were described as being one of the worst Premier League teams in history when they finished bottom last season. They conceded the most goals any team has ever managed, which was not helped by very poor discipline and multiple send-offs for their players.

Striker Oliver McBurnie was one of these hot-headed players who contributed. The striker is known as a handful for opposition defenders, but he is also no stranger to yellow cards. Amazingly, he received one every 183 minutes on average, and almost 40% of all his fouls resulted in a booking.

3. Junior Firpo – 7.68/10

Leeds United left-back Junior Firpo was the first Dominican player to play in the Premier League when he signed from Barcelona in 2021. Unfortunately, during his two-year stint in the League before relegation to the Championship, Firpo was known as one of the league’s hot-headed players.

Firpo gave away a foul every 51 minutes on average, and almost 30% of his fouls resulted in a yellow card being shown. The cherry on top of the cake for Firpo came with a straight red card against Newcastle in a must-win game for his side to avoid relegation, and earlier in the same match he gave away a penalty from which his team conceded.

The most hot-headed Premier League footballers for…

Average minutes per foul

Wataru Endo – 37 minutes

Having joined Liverpool from VfB Stuttgart in 2023, Wataru Endo is already one of the most hot-headed players on the pitch. He has played 1,722 minutes so far and has clocked up 47 fouls—this is an average of just 37 minutes per foul.

Average minutes per yellow card

Junior Firpo – 171 minutes

A Leeds player since 2021, Junior Firpo knows something about high-pressure situations. However, he does tend to push some plays too far, with 18 yellow cards over the two seasons his team were in the Premier League. With 3,081 minutes to his name during that time, this translates into one yellow card every 171 minutes played.

Average minutes per red card

Oliver McBurnie – 642 minutes

It’s no surprise that McBurnie was the second most hot-headed player in the Premier League, given his red card record — he received one every 642 minutes he played, on average. However, all red cards resulted from a second yellow rather than straight reds.

The coldest football celebrations

1. Lionel Messi – 95,800 Google searches

Regarded by many as the greatest football player of all time, Lionel Messi needs no introduction. In 2017, the Argentinian centre-forward celebrated his 500th club goal for Barcelona, which also happened to be a stoppage-time winner in the El Classico fixture. The goal was made more iconic after Messi removed his shirt and showed his name and number to the opposition’s fans.

Despite taking place more than seven years ago, this celebration remains one of the most legendary in football history, with almost 96,000 Google searches in the last two years alone.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo – 30,260 Google searches

Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic ‘Siu’ celebration is next on our list, with more than 30,000 Google searches in the last two years. Translating from Spanish to ‘Yes’, the Siu has become Ronaldo’s trademark post-goal commemoration. Over the years, the popularity of this power stance has soared, with athletes such as Manel Kape and Odell Beckham Jr. having been spotted imitating CR7’s celebration.

3. ángel Di María – 26,650 Google searches

Completing our top three list of the coldest football celebrations, with 26,650 Google searches in the last two years, is ángel Di María’s ‘heart’. The Argentinian attacking midfielder has scored more than 170 goals across his career, including a short stint at Manchester United. After celebrating so many goals over the years, it is no surprise that Di María has developed a trademark move in which he shapes his hands into a heart shape.

Methodology

All data is accurate as of 06/08/2024.

Using Premier League statistics, we sourced the top 20 goalscorers of the past three seasons (2021/22 – 2023/24) and used this to create a seeding list of the league’s top goalscorers.

We used FootyStats and Transfermarkt to find the following data for each player for each of the last three seasons:

• Goals scored
• Total minutes played
• Total assists
• Match-winning goals
• +90 min goals
• Penalties taken
• Penalties scored and missed
• Shot conversion rate

We added the figures for each of the three seasons to provide each player with one three-year total for each factor.

We divided the total minutes played by the total goals scored to calculate each player’s minutes per goal. This calculation was also used to determine the minutes per assist.

We divided the number of match-winning goals by the total number of goals scored to calculate each player’s match-winning goal prevalence. This calculation was also used to determine the prevalence of stoppage time goals.

To calculate each player’s penalty accuracy, we divided the number of converted penalties by the total number of penalties.

We averaged each player’s shot conversion rate over the last three seasons to find the average shot conversion rate.

We used football-related factors (goals scored, minutes per goal, assists, minutes per assist, % of match-winning goals, % of stoppage time goals, penalty accuracy, and average shot conversion rate). We then normalised each factor out of 10 before taking an average of those scores to get our overall ‘cold football star score’.

The same process was repeated, this time using any player to have received multiple red cards over the past three seasons and the 20 players with the most yellow cards in each season between the 2021/22 – 2023/24 seasons. For this ranking, the following factors were used:

• The percentage of tackles that resulted in a foul (for some players, this may be more than 100%, as fouls can be given for incidents not resulting from a tackling action, such as handball).
• Average minutes per foul
• Percentage of fouls which resulted in a yellow card
• Average minutes per yellow card
• Total number of red cards
• Percentage of fouls that resulted in a red card
• Average minutes per red card
• Percentage of red cards that were a straight red card

We then normalised every factor and created a score out of ten for each player to determine their hot-headedness.

Finally, we used a series of listicles and online content to create a third seeding list of famous football player celebrations. We used a range of search terms relating to each football celebration and Google Ads Keyword Planner to find the total number of global Google searches for each celebration between June 2022 and May 2024.

The Premier League is big business. It was reported that clubs will make almost 6.4 billion in revenue this season. It is not just the clubs that rely on this cash-generating behemoth for revenue, as the size of the Premier League helps support local hospitality businesses, clothing giants, broadcasters, online casinos, and bookmakers, to name but a few.

In the 21st century, matchday revenue is a comparatively small chunk of the cash generated by Premier League clubs, but it is still a massive money-making venture, and clubs know that thousands of fans are desperate to see their favourite players perform in person.

As a result, the cost of attending matches and purchasing merchandise and refreshments at games can be quite an expense. But which clubs are the most affordable, and which are the most expensive? By delving deep into the data around the costs of supporting each PL team, we can reveal the answer and which clubs have given the most back to fans who have purchased season tickets in recent years.

The most affordable teams to be a fan of

1. Everton
Football affordability score of 7.64/10

Everton are the most affordable Premier League football club to support overall. The Merseyside club are entering what could be their final season at Goodison Park, their home for 131 years, as a new stadium is nearing completion.

Currently, the average one-match resale ticket price is the lowest in the division at ￡120. It is also one of the cheaper grounds for a beer and a pie, as it ranks in the top five most affordable for each of these categories.

2. Wolves
Football affordability score of 7.45/10

Wolverhampton Wanderers (more commonly known as Wolves) are the second most affordable Premier League team to be a fan of. Since they were last promoted in 2018, they have established themselves as solid performers, helped along by a large swathe of talented players imported from Portugal, with the likes of Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, and Pedro Neto lighting up Molineux.

Although Wolves do not rank as the most affordable in any one category, they perform strongly across every category to achieve a high overall score. The price of a pie is the fourth lowest in the league, at just ￡4.

3. Wolves
Football affordability score of 7.15/10

It is one of the Premier League’s new teams for the new season that ranks third. It has been a long wait for Ipswich fans to return to the big time as they were last in the Premier League in the 2001/02 season and were in the third tier as recently as two years ago.

Under head coach Kieran McKenna, the Tractor Boys have achieved back-to-back promotions, and unsurprisingly, demand to see them is off the charts. Evidence of this comes in the high resale value of tickets. They are so rare that the average price of one match ticket (￡376) is more than the cheapest season ticket (￡372).

The most expensive teams to be a fan of

1. Arsenal
Football affordability score of 1.6/10

At the other end of the affordability spectrum is Arsenal. The Gunners are one of the country’s biggest and most successful teams, but unfortunately, for their fans, they are the most expensive team to support.

The cheapest season ticket at the Emirates Stadium costs over a thousand pounds (￡1,073, to be exact), and the average one-match ticket on resale is ￡249. If you want to drink away your financial worries during the match, you will also be disappointed, as a beer at the stadium costs ￡6.35.

2. Chelsea
Football affordability score of 2.25/10

Chelsea is the second most expensive football club to be a fan of in the Premier League. The West London club has been one of the most successful in the Premier League era, but it has struggled for form in recent seasons following a takeover and a revolving door of underperforming players and managers.

Unfortunately, for fans of The Blues, this underwhelming football experience comes at a high price, as the cheapest season ticket at Stamford Bridge is ￡810. Luckily, pie eating at football is more associated with northern clubs, as buying one at Chelsea costs ￡5.30. In fact, if you ate one pie at every home game, you would spend over ￡100 in a season.

3. Tottenham
Football affordability score of 3.37/10

Tottenham makes it a hat trick of London clubs at the top of the most expensive rankings, perhaps unsurprisingly, given the capital city’s general expensiveness compared to the rest of the country.

Spurs have the most expensive replica kit, it costs ￡148 for the home kit for this season. On top of this, they have the second most expensive season tickets after Arsenal, as the cheapest ones will cost you ￡856.

Teams where you get the biggest return on investment with a season ticket

1. Manchester City
Value for season ticket score of 9.68/10

Manchester City have been the most successful English team during the 2020s by a mile, becoming the first team to win four league titles in a row. During that time, legendary manager Pep Guardiola played a great style of football, while their state-backed ownership allowed them to purchase some of the best players in the world.

The cheapest season ticket at Manchester City is ￡425, and for that, fans have seen an average of 15 wins at home and 54 goals (the highest in the league for both factors) in the last season. This means it costs City season ticket holders just ￡28.72 per win and ￡7.90 per goal scored.

2. Leicester City
Value for season ticket score of 7.58/10

Leicester have just been promoted to the Premier League as champions of the Championship during their one season in the second tier. Less than a decade ago, The Foxes won the Premier League title in extraordinary circumstances as they were 5,000-1 outsiders to achieve such a feat.

Despite not reaching these heights again, Leicester fans have received good value for their season tickets in the past five seasons. Despite dropping down to the Championship, their average league position is still 11th, and they have averaged 35 goals a season, which means it costs season ticket holders ￡11.68 per goal.

3. Ipswich Town
Value for season ticket score of 7.37/10

Another club where season ticket holders have got a lot for their money in recent seasons is the Ipswich faithful. Despite spending much of the past half-decade in the third tier, large crowds have still flocked to Portman Road to watch their team play.

Averaging 41 home goals scored per season means that it costs Ipswich season ticket holders just ￡9.07 per goal scored and just ￡30.49 per win. Despite ranking second in both these categories, Ipswich’s average League position for the past five seasons is 46th (first in League 1), which drops them down the rankings.?

Teams where you get the smallest return on investment with a season ticket

1. Bournemouth
Value for season ticket score of 2.63/10

Bournemouth’s stadium is pitifully small compared to other Premier League teams but it is often full to bursting as the Cherries enjoy some of the most successful times in their history. The South Coast team rose through the divisions in the 2010s as a result of large financial investment, brilliantly spun as a feel-good story and a true footballing fairytale.

Bournemouth’s average league position in the past five years has been 19th, making them a bit of a yo-yo club. A reason for this is perhaps the number of goals conceded at home, 26 on average, made worse when you exclude the two seasons they spent in the Championship.

2. Brighton
Value for season ticket score of 3.37/10

Brighton and Hove Albion are another team that does not reward season ticket holders much for their purchases. Despite having some success in recent seasons, a lot of it has been built on away form, as they have averaged the lowest number of home wins (eight) in the past five years. As a result of this and the cheapest season ticket price of ￡595, Brighton fans need to pay ￡92.97 per goal, the most in the league.

2. Everton
Value for season ticket score of 3.37/10

Despite being the most affordable team to be a fan of overall, Everton ranks joint second for the lowest return on investment for season ticket holders. Everton have scored just 23 goals at home on average over the past five seasons, meaning it costs almost ￡25 a goal for those with the cheapest season tickets at Goodison.

This fact is perhaps unsurprising, as scoring goals were a big problem for Everton last season. Despite creating the 11th most expected goals in the league last year, they actually scored 20 fewer in reality and ranked 19th for goals scored with just 40.

Methodology

• The cheapest adult season ticket prices for each club were sourced from GiveMeSport.
• The average resale ticket price was sourced from SeatPick, the price for all 38 of each club’s matches was recorded, and the mean average price was calculated.
• The price of kits was sourced from each club’s official online store, and we calculated the price of a full adult male kit for the new season.
• The price of a beer and the price of a pie were sourced from Away Games.
• We combined these factors and created an overall affordability score out of 10 for each team.
• For the return on season ticket investment section, we used data from transfermarkt.?
• We recorded each club’s finishing position over the past five seasons and then took an average of these positions.
• We recorded the total number of home wins, home goals scored, and home goals conceded in the past five seasons and took an average.
• The season ticket cost was divided by the average values to find the average price per home win and goal scored.
• We also recorded the number of goals conceded at home, with the lowest value being the best.

Fair use 

Feel free to use the data or visuals on this page for non-commercial purposes. Please be sure to include proper attribution linking back to this page to give credit to the authors.  

For any press questions, please contact riley.clark[at]casino.org?

It’s not a surprise that the two largest American TV markets also have two basketball teams. New York City is the largest TV market, and the Big Apple is home to the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets. Los Angeles is the second largest TV market, and they have the L.A. Lakers and L.A. Clippers.

Let’s take a look at the rest of the top 10 NBA teams by market size

1. New York Knicks / Brooklyn Nets

Image credit: RarraRorro/Shutterstock

• Media Market: New York City-Newark, NJ-Stamford, CT
• TV Market Share: 7.6 million
• Population: 19.2 million

The metro region around New York City is comprised of the “Tri-State Area” that includes suburbs in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. With a population over 19 million, there’s multiple teams for every major sport.

The NBA market has the Knicks and Nets. The MLB has the New York Yankees and New York Mets. The NFL has the New York Giants and New York Jets. The NHL has three teams with the New York Rangers, New York Islanders, and New Jersey Devils.

Even though the Nets have never won an NBA championship and the Knicks have not won a title in over 50 years, the two NBA franchises in Gotham are some of the most valuable NBA teams thanks to their juicy media TV market of nearly 7.6 million and arena locations in Midtown Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn, making them top of the NBA teams by market size rankings.

2. Los Angeles Lakers / Los Angeles Clippers

Image credit: Deo Gracia Cahyardi/Shutterstock

• Media Market: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
• TV Market Share: 5.9 million
• Population: 12.8 million

The L.A. Lakers are the most popular sports team in Southern California. And when Hollywood stars want to catch a pro sports team, they’ll be spotted sitting courtside in celebrity row at a Lakers game. Only the Boston Celtics won more NBA titles than the Lakers, who have been a premier NBA franchise ever since Dr. Jerry Buss bought the team in the late 1970s.

The media market in the Los Angeles area is gigantic with nearly 13 million residents and a TV market share that’s almost six million, which is why the City of Angels can sustain two NBA teams and why they are some of the richest NBA teams in the league.

The Clippers are the second team in L.A., and even though they’re not as popular as the Lakers, they’re still ranked #5 as the Top 5 Richest NBA Teams and worth over $4.65 billion.

The SoCal TV market is so huge that it could’ve supported three NBA teams. In the early 2010s, the Sacramento Kings were up for sale and one prospective buyer explored the possibility of relocating the Kings to Orange County, California where they would play their home games in Anaheim in the shows of Disneyland. When the Kings were eventually sold, the new owner vowed to keep the team in Sacramento.

3. Chicago Bulls

Image credit: Bambang/Shutterstock

• Media Market: Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL
• TV Market Share: 3.65 million
• Population: 9.2 million

Chicago is known as America’s “Second City” and the heart of the Midwest. Michael Jordan led the Bulls to six championships during the 1990s, and their dynasty imprinted Chicago as an elite basketball town in the NBA. Their sprawling population dips into southern Wisconsin and northeastern Indiana. The Bulls have a huge reach in the Midwest thanks to a TV market of 3.65 million viewers and a population of over 9.2 million.

4. Philadelphia 76ers

Image credit: Paul Charles/Shutterstock

• Media Market: Philadelphia, PA-Camden, NJ-Willington, DE
• TV Market Share: 3.17 million
• Population: 6.2 million

The City of Brotherly Love is the fourth-largest TV market and just a smidge ahead of Dallas-Fort Worth with 3.17 million viewers. By itself, Philadelphia only has 1.5 million residents, but a massive suburban sprawl surrounds the city extends into two neighboring states. The “mini-tri-state” area includes most of Delaware, southern New Jersey, and eastern Pennsylvania.

If you live in some parts of “South Jersey,” basketball fans get access to TV stations in both NYC and Philly which means they can watch the 76ers, Knicks, and Nets.

5. Dallas Mavericks

Image credit: GGuy/Shutterstock

• Media Market: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
• TV Market Share: 3.13 million
• Population: 8.1 million

Everything is big in Texas, especially the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex that encompasses over eight million people. The Dallas Mavericks have the benefit of playing in the fifth-largest TV market and fourth-largest metro area in terms of population.

Football is a religion in Texas, so basketball is not the primary sport in the Lone Star state. The Mavs have stiff competition during football season particularly on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Friday evenings are designated for high school football statewide (that’s when the term “Friday Night Lights” was coined), and there’s no shortage of college football teams to fill up the TV schedule on Saturday. Of course, all eyes are on the Dallas Cowboys on Sundays. However, as soon as football season ends, the Mavs become the biggest game in town.

Pro hoops fans in the Big D had a lot to cheer about this past season. The Mavs won the Western Conference title and advanced to the 2024 NBA Finals, before their magical run ended when they lost to the Celtics in the championship.

6. Houston Rockets

Image credit: Malik Hussnain/Shutterstock

• Media Market: Houston-The Woodlands, TX
• TV Market Share: 2.77 million
• Population: 7.5 million

Like Dallas, basketball fans in Houston must compete with the insane popularity of football in Texas. The Rockets have struggled in recent years, but the franchise is highly valued thanks to their robust TV market and population of over 7.5 million and steadily growing.

Houston saw a small boost in population when displaced residents from New Orleans relocated to Houston after Hurricane Katrina. Right now, Houston’s TV market reaches nearly 2.8 million homes.

7. Atlanta Hawks

Image credit: RarraRorro/Shutterstock

• Media Market: Atlanta-Roswell-Sandy Springs, GA
• TV Market Share: 2.73 million
• Population: 6.3 million

The Atlanta Hawks are thankful that Atlanta is the largest TV market in the South, because they find themselves in steep competition with baseball and college football. The beloved and popular Atlanta Braves will always being their primary sports team in Atlanta, but the state of Georgia is also in the heart of college football country.

As a result, SEC games are the highest-rated sport on TV. Georgia recently won two college football championships, but the Hawks are lucky they have a sprawling population of over six million to support them.

8. Toronto Raptors

Image credit: JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock

• Media Market: Toronto-Hamilton-Niagara Falls, Canada
• TV Market Share: N/A
• Population: 6.2 million

When looking at metro population figures in the U.S. and Canada, Toronto is the third largest overall behind New York and L.A. with 3.2 million people. The greater Toronto area, which extends to the border at Niagara Falls, reaches over 6.2 million.

The Toronto Raptors are the only non-American NBA team. Vancouver used to have a franchise, but the Grizzlies relocated to Memphis in 2001. Even though ice hockey is the most-popular team sport in Canada, basketball fans love the Raptors.

Canadian markets are not tracked by Nielsen ratings, but we estimate that Toronto’s TV market is no lower than #8 on our list and could be as high as #7 when compared to their American counterparts.

9. Boston Celtics

Image credit:Shutterstock

• Media Market: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA
• TV Market Share: 2.6 million
• Population: 4.9 million

The Boston Celtics are the current NBA champion, and the franchise now holds the record with 18 titles. Boston is a frenetic sports town, and the greater New England area loves their Boston sports teams including the Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins, New England Patriots and the Celtics.

The Celtics’ regional reach encompasses all of New England which includes the states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, and Connecticut.

The actual Boston metroplex is only 4.9 million, and their local TV market is only 2.6 million strong. However, New England has over 15 million people. That’s a lot of wicked-loyal fans.

10. Golden State Warriors

Image credit: TMP/Shutterstock

• Media Market: San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA
• TV Market Share: 2.58 million
• Population: 4.5 million

The Bay Area in Northern California is really a sprawling megalopolis linked by three diverse cities anchored by San Francisco with Oakland to the east and San Jose to the south. Silicon Valley is a part of the southern-most part of the Bay Area, so this media market has one of the highest concentrations of wealth and nerd power on the planet.

The Bay Area has roughly 4.5 million residents, but many of them caught basketball fever over the last decade and support the Golden State Warriors. Steph Curry, one of the best point guards of all time, led the Warriors to four championships since 2015, which helped boost the team’s and valuation as a franchise.

The Warriors used to play their games in Oakland but recently relocated to a new arena in downtown San Francisco. Despite the upswing in interest brought about by the Golden State Warriors’ success, they, for the moment still bring up the tail of our NBA teams by market size rankings.

Small Markets and Expansion

The New Orleans Pelicans play in the smallest American TV market in the NBA and they’re ranked #53 overall. Memphis, home of the Grizzlies, is the second-smallest TV market in the NBA and ranked #48.

The Tampa-St. Petersburg metro area is the largest metroplex in America that does not have an NBA team. They are ranked #12 overall, but there’s no indication there will land a future franchise with two teams already in Florida with the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic.

The Seattle-Tacoma metroplex is the second largest TV market without an NBA team and ranked #13. Seattle, located in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, had the SuperSonics before the team was sold in 2006. They relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008 and rebranded as the Thunder.

One of the biggest open secrets in the NBA is that Seattle will be one of the cities that lands a new franchise team when the league eventually votes to expand from 30 to 32 teams. Las Vegas is the other city, but their TV market is only ranked #40.

The other largest American TV markets that do not have an NBA team include Raleigh-Durham at #22, St. Louis at #24, and Nashville at #26. Nashville has been on the shortlist of potential expansion teams, but they’ll have to wait another decade or longer before a new NBA team arrives in Music City, USA.

Montreal is the second-largest city in Canada and its population would be sixth overall if you combine the U.S. and Canada. Montreal could be considered for an NBA team if the league eventually grows to 36 teams by the late 2030s. So while these are the current NBA Teams by market size, this list looks set to shift in the near future.

Title Image Credit: Fukran/Shutterstock

• The vig comes from the Russian word vyigrysh and refers to the commission charged by a sports book on all bets.
• The vig is also known as the juice, cut, edge, or rake. In casinos, it also known as the house edge.
• The term ‘vig’ has also entered popular culture as the periodic payment owed to a loan shark.
• Knowing what the vig is for each sportsbook and how to calculate the vig is important to understanding how much money you stand to make on any bet.

Vig – short for vigorish – refers to the house edge that is built into every sports bet. It’s essentially a small commission that ensures the sportsbook makes money no matter the outcome of the bet. Understanding how gambling vig works is essential for making sports bets because it impacts the long-term success of your wagers.

Origin and Meaning of Vig in Gambling

Vigorish, vig, juice, cut, edge, rake; no matter what you call it, they all mean the same thing. The vig gambling term is thought to be derived from the Russian word “vyigrysh”, which means “gain” or “winnings”. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, its earliest known appearance in print was in the 1960s.

The shortened “vig” can also refer to the interest owed to a loan shark. Picture this: I borrow money from Big Tony and forget to pay back the vig. The next thing I know, he’s threatening to break my knees. Unsurprisingly, this usage was popularized by the Italian-American Mafia.

How to Calculate the Vig

Every sportsbook bet already has the vig embedded in the odds. If you’re a casual bettor, online gambling for a bit of fun, there’s no need for you to calculate the vig, especially if you’re choosing your sportsbook based on how much you like the site instead of the quality of the odds.

However, if you’re a seasoned sports wagerer who is betting for long-term profit, calculating the gambling vig can help you make informed betting choices and (hopefully) increase your overall profit. The vig can vary between sportsbooks, so it’s good practice to compare sites and opt for the lowest edge.

Below is a formula that you can use to calculate the vig yourself.

• (Favorite odds / (Favorite odds + 100) x 100) + (100 / (Underdog odds + 100) x 100) – 100

The Vig in Online Gambling

The vig looks different at an online sportsbook compared to a casino. At a casino, it’s hidden away within the game’s RTP. You’ll need to open up and scroll through the paytable to find the RTP amount. As discussed above, the sportsbook vig is a little more obvious, as it’s embedded in the odds of every bet.

There’s not much difference between the vig at online sportsbooks/casinos and brick-and-mortar sportsbooks/casinos. Just like their digital counterparts, retail sportsbooks will build the vig into the odds. Similarly, every brick-and-mortar slot machine arrives at the casino with a built-in RTP percentage, while games like American Roulette and Caribbean Stud also have a predetermined RTP.

Image credit: Kitreel/Shutterstock

Types of Vig in Gambling

Spread Betting Vig

A spread bet is the difference in the predicted points between two teams. The favorite is represented by a minus number, and has to score more than the spread for your bet to win. Meanwhile, the underdog has a plus and must lose within this number of points or win. Spreads on games like baseball often have a decimal (0.5) to avoid pushes, as many baseball games end with less than two runs between the teams.

Spread bets differ from over/unders as they focus on the difference in points between the two teams rather than predicting if the total number of points scored will be above or below the specified threshold. The spread bet vig is built into the odds, which typically range from -120 to +100. It’s important to remember that the odds and the spread are two separate entities.

Moneyline Vig

A moneyline is a bet on the result of the game. Since there is only one possible outcome – a win or a loss – they are one of the most straightforward sports bets available. Like all other bet types, the moneyline vig is built into the odds.

Though moneyline bets are perhaps the most simple, research has proven that they can also be the most efficient and prosperous. Since you’re wagering on a pretty black-or-white outcome, odds for moneyline bets – which already have the vig included – can be crazy, with some underdogs reaching into the thousands.

Sportsbook Vig

Every sportsbook bet incorporates a vig. The vig, to both the sportsbook and its bettors, is the most important part of the operation. It can determine whether or not you can sustain a long-term profit, and it ensures that the sportsbook doesn’t lose money when bettors win big.

Casino Vig

It’s very unlikely that you’ll come across the term “vig” at an online casino. Instead, casinos use the phrase “house edge” to describe the advantage that the house has over the bettor. Unlike a sportsbook vig, which is determined by the sportsbook itself, the house edge is already built into the game by the software developer.

Every game has a house edge, whether you’re playing slots, blackjack, or roulette. Most casino players are familiar with the Return to Player (RTP) percentage, which is the theoretical amount the casino will return to players over thousands of slot spins or game rounds. The RTP reflects the player’s perspective on how much they may win back, and the house edge is the remaining percentage. For example, if I select a game with a 95% RTP, then the house edge is 5%.

Image credit: New Africa/Shutterstock

Impact of Vig on Gambling

Not all sportsbooks will apply the same vig to the same bet; you’ll often find a noticeable difference between sites. That’s why it’s important to understand exactly how big of an impact vig can have on your bet. Don’t take it for granted that you’ll earn the same amount from every sportsbook!

The vig is a consequential factor to consider if you’re betting with a strategy. Let’s take a look at how different vigs can impact a $100 wager.

• +100 odds = $100 potential profit
• -105 odds = $95.24 potential profit
• -110 odds = $90.91 potential profit
• -115 odds = $86.98 potential profit
• -120 odds = $83.33 potential profit
• -125 odds = $80 potential profit

Strategies to Mitigate the Vig

Unfortunately, you can’t escape the vig. Just like you pay for goods in a shop, you’ve got to pay the sportsbook for the pleasure of using its platform. Ultimately, players must accept that it’s an inherent and unavoidable part of sports betting.

That said, there are some strategies you can implement that might help you lower the financial impact of the vig.

• Compare lines across sportsbooks. For example, let’s say I see two sportsbooks offering the same bet, but one has +115 odds, and the other has +120. I’ll get $5 more for betting with the second sportsbook if my $100 bet pays out. Though it’s only five bucks, these little differences can have a big impact over time.
• Look for reduced vig. Sportsbooks often run reduced vig promotions during popular games to draw bettors away from their competitors. Seeking out these reduced vig offers can lessen the sportsbook’s cut of your wager.
• Improve your win rate. This one sounds like a no-brainer, and obviously, it’s impossible to guarantee a win every time. But by improving your win rate – even on smaller bets with only a few cents or dollars of profit – you will end up at the stage where you’re beating the vig.
• Claim a bonus. Beyond reduced vig, most sportsbooks, like online casinos, offer a range of promotions like bonus bets, odds boosts, bet insurance, and more. Claiming a bonus will allow you to try bigger bets and score bigger wins. They’ll also give beginners the opportunity to try wagering and understand the vig before spending real cash.

Unlocking the Vig: How It Shapes the Dynamics of Gambling

All in all, vig is a very significant part of the gambling landscape. Looming over your shoulder like Monday morning on a Sunday night, the vig is an unwanted but inescapable part of your sportsbook experience. You can’t run, you can’t hide – the vig will always be there.

Therefore, it’s essential to implement a few tactics to keep its impact to a minimum. Comparing lines across different sportsbooks, searching for reduced vig offers, and keeping your eye out for sportsbook promotions will help mitigate the vig in the long run. Hopefully, this page has cleared up the big question of what does vig mean in gambling.

Title Image credit: Wpaddington/Shutterstock

While next year, the WWE is set to return to Las Vegas for the first time in over 30 years, something our own Vital Vegas’ Scott Roeben was the first person to predict, recent news has gotten international WWE fans excited about a potential first-time London WrestleMania in the near future, with WWE’s Triple H meeting with mayor of London Sadiq Khan to discuss the possibility.

But the entertainment giant isn’t the only game in town. Rival wrestling company All Elite Wrestling (AEW) will make its own return to Wembley Stadium later this month for ALL IN, the company’s second major UK event, following a sell-out in 2023.

Ahead of the event, Casino.org sat down with former WWE and TNA Tag Team Champion Mark Andrews, the first Welshman to ever hold WWE gold, to get the lowdown on wrestling in the UK, WWE’s international expansion, NXT UK being the best thing for British wrestling, and whether the WWE is playing catch-up with Tony Khan’s AEW.

You can listen to the full interview hosted by Sean Thorne above or check out some of the highlights below.

On WrestleMania London being a Direct Reaction to ALL IN and WWE ‘missing the boat’ in the UK

Do you think AEW have paved the way here for the WWE to look at London as a place to hold big events and look into stadium shows?

“100% I mean, let’s look at the history books, right? I think it’s kind of pretty proven from the last well, 10 years, the WWE definitely, sometimes misses the boat, and then last minute, reacts a little bit, you know what I mean?

“That’s not me kind of trying to insult the company, because they’re, they’re the biggest company in the wrestling world, right? And I think sometimes that they probably have so many plates spinning, they miss things.

“In my opinion, I’m surprised how long it’s taken up to get to this because, AEW, they sold out Wembley last year at ALL IN. And it’s only now, after the second ALL IN is happening in Wembley that the rumours are coming around about potentially having WrestleMania in London.

“Fans have been wanting it for years, especially in London. So yeah, it feels crazy to me that it’s kind of taken this long, if I’m honest, but I definitely think it’s a direct reaction to how well AEW is doing in the UK.

On NXT UK being a reaction to World of Sport

“From my experience with NXT UK, before it was even called NXT UK, when it was WWE, UK, that first tournament came around in the space of two months. They got that together, literally, from like, the October to the January, and that was only really a reaction to the World Of Sport being announced on ITV.”

On helping WWE work with the Welsh Government for Clash At The Castle before being released?

Now, WWE has already dabbled in stadium shows, with Clash At The Castle with Cardiff, and you were involved a little bit with schmoozing Welsh ambassadors during the build-up to that show. Am I right thinking that?

“Potentially a very small amount, or not, I have no idea, really! But there was a Cardiff house show. I can’t remember if it was RAW or Smackdown when I was, working at the company. And I remember I was invited backstage to speak to some of the Welsh Government, before they had, you know, fully confirmed Clash At The Castle.

“What I did lend a hand with was being able to actually give real life experience from Wales, so I could kind of name drop where all of these wrestlers had come from. You know, how Tegan Nox was from Brynmawr and how there were a group of wrestlers from Ebw Vale, and we started training in Cathays Community Centre. Those real life facts that involve Wales, which I don’t think anyone else in the WWE, especially not in main roster, would be able to give that kind of,  quick rundown of the history of wrestling in Wales.  So I hope it helped anyway. I really do hope that’s what helped get it through the through the door”

On originally being slated for a Clash at the Castle match before NXT UK stars being released weeks before the event

It got the event through the door, and then they just sacked all the Welsh talent just before the show. Anyway….

“That wasn’t great, you know, that was a shame. It’s funny, like, but like, two days before Clash At The Castle was my wedding day, and we officially got married that morning in the city centre, and I could see the stadium from where we got married.

“I’d heard rumblings from backstage that my name was penciled in for a dark match. I had loads of big plans with BBC leading up to the event, not only my podcast, but on top of that, there were talks about doing stuff on TV, and then two weeks before, or whatever it was, 40 of the British talent and all Welsh talents got released, which was so crazy.

“But it goes back to my point a minute ago about I think sometimes there’s so many moving parts and spinning plates that they kind of just missed the boat. Like, did they realize they’d sacked all Welsh talent, like, when it happened, or did after it happened, did they go, Oh, actually, we just got rid of all of our Welsh talent and we’re about to do the biggest show that’s ever happened in Wales in the UK  you know?”

On NXT UK being the best thing for the British Independent Wrestling Scene

A common thing that people say is that NXT UK came along and decimated the indie scene. Is that something you agree with?

“No, not at all. It like, I know that’s what fans like to believe. It’s really easy to believe. Okay, these UK indie shows are selling out up and down the country. The scenes on fire. But me, personally, I know for a lot of the top wrestlers in the UK around that time that there wasn’t enough money to be made for many of the top tier talent to make a full time living from wrestling.

“So unless a massive company did come along, whether it was WWE, whether it was a New Japan or an AEW or even a non-wrestling company like a Netflix or, you know, some big TV corporation. Because I know fans like to believe that, like, it could have just existed as it was and gone on forever, but like, there’s only so long you can kind of put that damage on your body with no promise of, like, real earnings. And I’m not trying to say that it’s about the money, because it’s not that. But like, when you’re an indie wrestler and you get hurt, there’s not this magical insurance that pays out loads of money. Do you know what I mean?

“It’s a really hard job to be consistently good at and get consistently paid. So I just think that. I feel like the fans have this kind of romanticized idea that the scene could have continued as it was without WWE getting involved. I think the best thing for the scene was WWE getting involved.

On the UK scene being just as strong now

“I think the scene now is actually just as strong as it was, like you just got to give those new talent at chance,  and it comes in waves, it does. There’s going to be times when every venue is being sold out, and then times where it’s actually quite hard to sell out, but the stars are still there.

“Just give it a year or two look at guys like, Michael Oku who right now is a top, top talent in the UK, a top talent in the world. Unfortunately, not all the shows in the UK are selling out, but it doesn’t mean he’s any less of a star. So and another example, just to end on, let’s look at ALL IN weekend coming up soon. How many shows are being sold out that weekend? How many shows are happening in the UK? How many eyes are going to be on British wrestlers that weekend? And I think that kind of proves my point, that I don’t think the scenes changed as much as people much as people think it has.”

On a TNA British Bootcamp revival – who Mark would pick

We’re seeing NXT having a working relationship with TNA. Obviously, you’ve got, you’ve got a rich history with TNA, as one of the first winners of the British Boot Camp, if they brought back British Boot Camp now, who are some of the people you think could thrive from a show like that on the British scene?

“Ahh. It’s funny. The first thing I was gonna say was Leon Slater, but he’s already signed there. He’s already there. You know, there’s a guy in Wales called Leon cage. He was 17 years old. And for 17 years old, this kid is, is pretty much got it all, you know, don’t get me wrong, he’s not the finished product yet. But in a British Boot Camp like scenario, you kind of don’t want the finished product.”

“Then there’s guys who are just overdue their big shot for so long, like Robbie X. I think Robbie X is someone who’s just, you know, he has been on top of his game for so long now, and it’s just insane how big a company hasn’t picked him up yet. So someone like him, I’d want to see do something like British boot camp and win it and go win the X Division Championship. On top of that, I some other names who I think would just absolutely smash it, like KANJI, Emersyn, Jayne Rayne Leverkusen, three of the best wrestlers in the UK. All, all again, kind of overdue, a big opportunity as well. So there’s five names for you, right?”

“With the British scene as it is at the moment, as we see with ALL IN weekend, there’s shows happening all weekend. Lot of them sold out. I think seeing a British boot camp return, I think that would be, that would be exciting and interesting. “

On UK wrestler Pete Dunne’s WWE run as Butch & being one of the best wrestlers in the world alongside Omega and Ospreay

Another, another one of the key parts of NXTUK, obviously, Pete Dunne, the long reigning UK champ, then having where he had his spell as Butch and now back as the Bruiserweight. With a lot of fans, look at that is kind of a misstep in his career. What were your thoughts on the on the spell of Butch?

“It’s so hard, right? I mean, at the time, I remember chatting with him, and, I felt as unsure as he did. I think it’s fair to say, because everyone, at first, hates a name change, right? Everyone, everyone says, Oh, it’s a terrible name. If you look at Gunther, for example, that’s been a huge success, but at the time, everyone hated it.

“I think it was a risk that Pete had to take because it got him on main roster, you know, and Wrestlemania, right So I think it’s a risk that he, 100% had to take. However, I definitely think the company didn’t do what they could have done with him. I mean, even, hey, I don’t think the Butch character is bad by any shout, and I think Pete smashed it. However,  as a wrestler, you can do so much more with him. So unless you’re going to commit to that gimmick and really give it the opportunities it deserves, it doesn’t matter. He’s called Pete Dunne or Butch, whichever way around you got to give him the spot that he deserves.

“Because, to be honest, he should be in the argument for best wrestler in the world. And the only reason he isn’t is because he’s not put booked in those positions. You know, people throw out your Ospreays and your Kenny Omegas Randy Orton and your Roman Reigns and your Cody Rhodes, Pete Dunne, in my opinion, should be in that category, like he is 100% one of the best wrestlers in the world. He’s just not booked as it.

“So I am glad to see that now he’s kind of past that gimmick, and hopefully get the opportunities he deserves, because he’s a wrestler’s wrestler, and everyone backstage knows it how good he is. So hopefully he has a chance now to show the fans as well.”

On Joe Hendry’s success and being annoyed by “I Believe in Joe Hendry”

Another wrestler from the British scene who’s making a lot of bars at the moment is Joe Hendry. What do you think is one of the keys of Joe Hendry’s current success?

“I feel like it takes 10 years of hard work to become an overnight success. And that’s the perfect saying to Joe Hendry, because it’s not like this guy has only just released his entrance music and only just got on over. He’s been ploughing away at this for years and years and years, doing a very similar shtick, but getting better and better at it as he goes along.

“With Joe, it’s just been a matter of time. He’s a very, very funny man. He’s very clued up with wrestling, and I think he knows what his place is in wrestling as well. I don’t think he’s there necessarily to steal the show in the 16 minute epic Ironman match, or even to necessarily be the main event, but he’s there to entertain everyone, and he does a hell of a job doing it. And he’s so good with his branding and his consistency and a like, at times I’ve been annoyed waking up in the morning with his song stuck in my head, “Like, why is it there?”, persuading myself it’s not even a good song. It’s not even a good song! And then, you know, I just start singing it. I’m like, Ah, that is pretty catchy, you know. So I think he’s absolutely smashed it, to be honest.

“I think Joe someone who he has something which 99% of the rest of wrestling doesn’t have, you know, and a lot of a lot of people should aspire to be more like him in a lot of ways, or at least how he handles his character and his business in pro wrestling. He’s a very smart man.”

You can keep up-to-date with the latest WWE news and odds with Casino.org here.

Featured image credit: The official WWE website

The Essentials

• A philanthropist of picks and parlays, Dan Gamble AI, also known as DanGamble, is like the Robin Hood of the sports betting industry. Not only does he take from the rich (sportsbooks) and give to the poor (bettors), but he does so anonymously.
• As an AI engineer, he uses predictive models based on past data to pick potential winners in the future.
• Though he goes by the name of Dan, the engineer in question posts all of his predictions from an unnamed account. Rather than a real name, ‘Dan’ is actually a reference to the ChatGPT DAN prompt, “Do Any Thing”. Without a face or name attached to the account, Dan Gambles AI remains a total enigma.

How is he Using AI for Sports Betting?

Dan Gamble AI has designed a unique algorithm with which he can predict the outcome of various sports events and consequently build a data-backed bet sheet.

First, he decides which sport to focus on. Depending on the time of year, this will be the NFL, NBA, MLB, etc. He also determines what type of bet he is looking to predict, such as prop bets, parlays, and Over/Unders.

Dan then feeds this information into his AI algorithm. After receiving the necessary prompt, AI rapidly analyzes years of historical data to give detailed forecasts on the outcome of a specific event. In a way, it is similar to historical horse racing (HHR) games, which use historical racing data to determine wagering outcomes.

Once he has collected the data and used it to make his predictions, Dan places his bets on bet365. Whether this is down to personal preference or a strategic partnership is not entirely clear, but he regularly encourages his followers to sign up and claim a bonus using the links in his Instagram bio.

bet365 isn’t the only sportsbook he’s advertised. Back in February, DanGamble posted an Instagram slideshow highlighting the different sign-up bonuses available at BetMGM, Caesars, and BetRivers. During the NBA playoffs in April, the Dan Gamble AI Twitter account encouraged users to tail his parlay on DraftKings and claim the sportsbook’s welcome bonus.

Image Credit: Davizro Photography/Shutterstock

Is he Able to Pick Winners?

Most of Dan’s AI Sports Picks focus on prop bets and Overs/Unders. However, he also has a history of successfully picking winning teams and individual player bets. If you ever need visual evidence that his picks are winners, check out the Dans AI Sports Picks Twitter and Instagram accounts. All bets that pay out are posted with his signature celebration: “BAAANG.”

Dan’s AI algorithm has a track record of predicting winning prop bets, though it’s obviously not foolproof. While Dan does the work and posts his predictions online, it’s up to his followers whether or not they choose to tail the bets.

During Dan’s impressive MLB run of winners in July, one follower chose to put his faith in one of Dan’s 3 leg parlays. The parlay predicted a home run for Jeimer Candelario, a home run for Shohei Ohtani, and 2+ bases for Christian Walker.

The first two hit, and the cash out was over $6,400. Dan reposted the bet sheet, asking what his other followers would do in this case. Although the original bettor asked for his advice, Dan refrained from offering any. 

Ultimately, the follower decided to see the parlay through, and it paid off. His original $350 wager cashed out at an eye-watering $16,036. So yes, it’s fair to say that Dan’s AI sports picks can produce winners!

How Consistently is Dan’s AI Model Correct?

Though he has only been active online since June 2023, Dan’s AI predictions have already proven highly successful. According to his Instagram bio, Dan’s AI Sports Picks had a 73% hit rate on the NFL last season. That’s almost three out of four predictions coming true.

He also had quite a mind-blowing run during the first half of the 2024 MLB season, particularly with his “Pick of the Day” predictions. Six out of seven of his mid-July “Pick of the Day” players were winners, 11/13 of his June selections cashed out, and 8/9 of his May predictions rang true.

While the algorithm does have an impressive success rate, there is never a guarantee that these predictions will be correct. AI can forecast outcomes based on data and trends but doesn’t factor in variables like human error or injury.

On January 17th, 2024, Dans Gamble AI took to Twitter (X) to express his disappointment over numerous failed NFL predictions.

“No denying it was a tough weekend, but we’ve cashed in plenty during the NFL season. Three weekends left of Football, let’s make sure they’re good ones. For now, it’s time to bounce back on a 10-game NBA slate…”

Do You Have to be an AI Engineer to do What he is Doing?

Successfully predicting the outcome of a sports event may seem like an awfully complicated process. However, Dan Gamble AI often posts about the prompts and instructions he uses, and they’re not quite as complex as you’d imagine.

Some of Dan’s AI sports picks strategies include:

• Analyzing historical data to calculate player minute projections
• Using various data points to rank player props and produce an AI Edge score out of 10
• Predicting stat lines on points, rebounds, and assists for key players
• Calculating which players rate highly on alternate lines and which will go Over/Under

Of course, you need to know what you’re looking for when using AI for prediction betting. While you don’t necessarily need to be an AI engineer, you need to thoroughly understand how sports betting works, including sports odds, bet types, game rules, and markets. You also need to know how to leverage AI for sports betting predictions.

AI technology used to be available only to IT engineers and mathematical geniuses, but it’s gradually becoming more accessible to the general public. Sites like ChatGPT can help the everyday Joe back his bets with statistical data and trend forecasts (if you know how to use them).

Is AI going to be picking our winners for us in the future?

Dan Gamble AI isn’t the first person to use artificial intelligence for sports betting predictions, and he certainly won’t be the last. Jimmy Sports Picks, Joey’s Sports Bets, John Hyslop, Quentin Locks, and Dr. Profit are just a few of the other gambling figureheads encouraging people to put their trust in AI.

As AI advances and becomes more mainstream, it’s likely that more bettors will begin to use AI for their own sports betting predictions. Until then, you can tail one of the AI engineers and see if their calculations ring true. After all, Dan’s AI Sports Picks announced that 2024 will be his “most profitable NFL season yet”.

It was rather an inglorious start, with lawsuits, exploding manhole covers and some people using the term Stripageddon to describe the nine-month makeover needed to build the track down the middle of Las Vegas Boulevard for more than a mile.

These disruptions and controversies have lead to general apathy, if not downright hostility from locals toward the upcoming 2024 F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix

Las Vegas F1: Brief History

More than 40 years ago, Caesars Palace, attempting to play on its luxury brand image, sought to bring F1 racing to a track behind its casino. Races were held in 1981 and 1982 but were poorly attended.

And worse, it did not draw the interest of the high-end gambling public Caesars had hoped to pique. The Caesar Palace Grand Prix went to CART racing for two years and then was disbanded altogether.

Hopes were higher for the Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix scheduled for 18 November 2023 and expected to see racecars hurtling down the world-famous Las Vegas Strip at more than 200mph.

This would also be the twenty-first and next to final race of the F1 2023 World Championship Series and was intended to draw fans from all over the world to Las Vegas.

Image credit: Cristiano Barni/Shutterstock

Dual In The Desert

The F1 Las Vegas would be a night race in the desert winding through walls of neon casinos and was expected to present quite the spectacle. F1 spared no expense in making preparations, including buying a parking lot for pit and paddock functions outright with partner Liberty Media for $240 million and eventually spending more than $500 million on the completed Las Vegas Grand Prix Plaza near the Strip.

The layout’s design was handed over to Carsten Tilke and Tilke GMBH. It snakes through some of Las Vegas’s iconic features, including circling the new Sphere entertainment complex and a flat straight shot down Las Vegas Blvd., which saw Charles Leclerc hit a race speed record of 350.5 kph, or about 218mph during the event.

With 17 turns and a lap distance of about 6.2 kilometers or about 3.8 miles, the track was called “massively challenging” by F1 racer Lewis Hamilton. George Russell was quoted as saying, “It’s good for racing, but maybe not the most exciting to drive”. Still, Oscar Piastri turned in a Las Vegas one-lap record of 1.35.4. With a total of 50 laps, however, drivers had a long Saturday night ahead of them.

Bright Lights And Big Money

As one might expect, many brands were eager to combine the excitement of Las Vegas and F1 racing with what they hoped would be well-heeled attendees from all over the world—even more so than the other F1 races in the US held in Miami and Austin.

The race sponsor, Heineken, was joined by American Express, Nieman Marcus, T-Mobile, Puma, and even Sports Illustrated, among many others. All held extravagant parties and hosted displays in the almost 300,000 square feet of hospitality space added just for the event.

The musical lineup for the Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix Opening ceremony on Wednesday, 15 November, included John Legend, Tiesto, Keith Urban, Journey, acts by Cirque Soliel, and many others, followed up with the official lighting show, which featured drones, fireworks, and lasers.

Among the many decadent event choices were a $5,000 per person dinner and whiskey tasting at Jean Georges in the Aria, a $1,000 and up ticket to see Kylie Minogue at the Amber lounge in the Venetian, or an extravagant invite-only after party on the 66th floor of Resorts World with DJ Pee.Wee.

Speaking of invite-only, Sotheby’s held a private auction at Wynn’s Awakening theater on the Friday before the race. They auctioned off several dozen cars, including a 2021 McLaren Elva and a 2008 Bugatti Veyron. But the star of the show was the very first 2013 Mercedes AMG Petronas driven by Lewis Hamilton in 14 F1 racing events in 2013. The winning bid was $18,815,000.

The F1 Vegas Car-tastrophe

Because it was a night race, the F1 Las Vegas schedule was a bit different as well. The three practice sessions were all scheduled for after dark since the race would start at 10 p.m.

The first was scheduled for Thursday from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., and then a second one from 12:00 to 1:00 a.m. Then, on Friday, a final practice session was to be held from 8:30 to 9:30, with qualifying rounds from 12:00 to 1:00 a.m.

Only about eight minutes into the first practice session, those plans literally came to a screeching halt. Carlos Sainz, in his Ferrari, somehow hit a dislodged manhole cover, which tore apart huge parts of his car’s underbelly, leaving him stranded on the track.

Esteban Ocon also suffered damage to his car, forcing him to install a whole new chassis before the second practice began. In an abundance of caution, F1 stopped the practice and began discussions on how to fix the issue.

Unhappy Fans and Disappointed Drivers

But this was not a huge hit with fans, many of whom had spent tens of thousands of dollars on F1 Las Vegas tickets. The second practice, scheduled for midnight, was pushed back first to 12:30 a.m., then to 2:30 a.m. when the second practice finally got underway after more than 30 manhole covers were filled with sand or cemented more firmly into place.

With a tight deadline of 4 a.m. to hand the track back over to the city each morning and claiming to fear for fan safety, the Las Vegas Grand Prix CEO, Renee Wilm, and F1 President Stefano Domenicali made the tough decision to clear the track of spectators around 1:30 a.m.

Almost all had been cleared out by the beginning of the delayed second practice run, which has resulted in several lawsuits from those who purchased F1 Las Vegas Tickets to witness the Thursday Practice sessions.

Carlos Sainz, who, after replacing engine components as well as much of the body and chassis of his Ferrari, had his second-place qualifying spot dropped ten spots for a “penalty “for replacing said parts and ended up in sixth place overall, added insult to injury for many fans who felt race organizers were to blame for the necessary repairs in the first place.

Ultimately, Max Verstappen won the race at 1:29:08, followed closely by Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez. But as it turned out, it wasn’t just the fans, Carlos Sainz and the Ferrari team that left the Las Vegas F1 race disappointed.

Image credit: Cristiano Barni/Shutterstock

F1 Las Vegas: The Debacle in The Desert?

Media coverage of the event included words like embarrassing, nuisance, huge headache, and debacle in the desert. Even after the fans’ lawsuit was filed, lawsuits from casinos and local businesses are still incoming, claiming millions in lost revenues due to construction and traffic rerouting.

Many locals say they lost tip money and scheduled work hours due to construction and the arcane system of both pedestrian and vehicle bridges, which funneled traffic over and around the raceway as it was being built over the course of nine months and completely dried up business for some casinos and local businesses. These traffic headaches also tripled some worker’s commute times.

Clark County commissioners and Liberty Media, the event’s co-sponsors, have acknowledged the many issues around the Las Vegas 2023 inaugural race. However, they point to a $1.5 billion impact from the weekend event, including about $884 million in direct consumer spending by attendees, at a rate about 3.5 times more than the average Las Vegas visitor. Las Vegas F1 also created and maintained about 2,200 jobs over that nine-month build-out period.

Despite these seemingly huge benefit, the F1 Las Vegas lawsuits continue to roll in, with a new group of businesses set to sue Clarke County and the race promoter, Liberty Media. The basis of the new lawsuit is the same as the previous one brough by Ellis Island Casino, lost earnings due to the ongoing construction and the privatization of a colossal 3.8 miles of public roads in the Strip corridor for the track.

Las Vegas Convention Authority Under F1 Fire

In mid-summer 2024, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that the Las Vegas Convention Authority had given out more than $4 million in taxpayer money in the form of tickets to the 2023 F1 race. Some of these tickets had a face value of $15,000, and some recipients received as many as five.

While the bulk of these tickets went to customers of the Convention Authority, many others went to staff, influencers, sports stars, celebrities, and politicians. Four of those politicians were Clark County commissioners, who are now facing a complaint from the Nevada Ethics Commission.

This reporting and subsequent investigations have only deepened many Las Vegans’ concerns and complaints about the race.

Putting the Sparkle Back Into The F1

Despite controversies, lawsuits, ethics investigations and general malaise from those who live in the Las Vegas Valley, the F1 Race Las Vegas saga will probably continue through 2026 and likely through at least 2033 as F1 has a $500 million real estate investment it would like to see some return on.

However, they are already seeing some ticket package pricing like the Heineken GA+ slashed by more than 80%. And many Strip casinos have reportedly shaved room rates by more than 50%, and that is still many months out from the actual race.

In typical Las Vegas Grand Prix fashion, there is some confusion about whether or not the county commissioners even signed a contract to begin with. But attempting to turn back now would be a costly and litigious mess.

When Is  F1 Las Vegas 2024?

People wondering when is the F1 Las Vegas race is being held this year will be relieved to hear that tickets are on sale now for the race events from November 21^st to November 23rd, with F1 promising cheaper tickets to try and draw in the crowds.

The F1 Las Vegas schedule of future races is for the weekend before the Thanksgiving Holiday for all upcoming years, should you wish to make plans.

It will once again attempt to showcase the luxury and opulence of Las Vegas with the excitement and energy of F1 against one of the most visually stunning backdrops in the entire world. Hopefully this time with all the lessons learned from the first year, it will be more spectacle and less sputter.

Title Image credit: Cristiano Barni/Shutterstock

Who Has The Most Gold Medals? The Essentials

• The USA is the country widely predicted to earn the most gold medals at the Olympics at the 2024 Summer Olympics. They are also the country with the most gold medals at a whopping 1061!
• The current host of the Summer Olympics is France, who are expected to leverage the home field advantage to come third, adding to their excising tally of 223 Olympic gold medals.
• The UK is also a good bet to win at least one gold medal. They’ve taken home 284 since the beginning of the modern games and are the only country to have won at least one gold in every games since they restarted in 1896.
• In this guide, we’ll look at which country has the most Olympic gold medals by country and if they look set to earn more.

After a grand (and somewhat rainy) opening ceremony, the Paris 2024 Olympics are officially underway. There are more than 200 countries competing in this year’s celebration, each athlete representing the absolute pinnacle of sporting success in their country.

However, of the thousands of world-class athletes competing, only the very best can win an Olympic gold medal and claim their rightful place on the coveted podium.

The Olympic Games instill a sense of national pride like no other event can. So, we’re here to answer the one question on everybody’s mind: which country will win the highest number of Olympic medals at the Olympics?

Most Olympic Gold Medals by County

USA: Number of Gold Olympic Medals: 1061

In a forecast that’s surprising to nobody, the USA is predicted to bring home the highest number of Olympic medals for the fourth consecutive year. The US continuously performs well across the table, including in athletics, swimming, gymnastics, diving, basketball, tennis, wrestling, and shooting. This is largely due to the enormous pool of athletes in its 50 states.

Michael Phelps is the athlete with the most Olympic gold medals. The US swimmer holds the world record for winning Olympic gold medals with huge tally of 23.

Team USA’s star-studded lineup features not one but two (at least) strong contenders in many of its sports. Simone Biles and Sunisa Lee (gymnastics), LeBron James and Steph Curry (basketball), Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles (100m), Katie Ledecky and Caleb Dressel (swimming), and Caitlin Simmers and Carissa Moore (surfing) are some of the top US athletes to watch in the 2024 Olympics.

The USA is also a firm favorite among bettors, with sportsbooks offering specials like Noah Lyles to win gold and set a new Olympic record. 

China: Number of Olympic Gold Medals: 263

In second place behind the US, China is forecast to win the most gold medals at the Olympics this year. China is the leading country for the number of table tennis, badminton, and trampoline gymnastics medals.

However, the highest number of total medals per sport comes from diving (81 total, 47 golds), artistic gymnastics (69 total, 29 golds), and shooting (67 total, 26 golds).

China’s female athletes are forecast to dominate in their sports, with Wu Yanni (100m hurdles), Sun Yingsha (table tennis), Qun Hongchan (diving), Huang Yuting (shooting), and Zheng Qinwen (tennis) all highly anticipated to go for the gold. Shi Zhiyong (weightlifting) and Shi Yuqi (badminton) are also expected to shine on the Olympic stage.

Not only are China’s individual athletes looking to secure a place on the podium, but its team events are anticipated to score well, too. The men’s and women’s synchronized diving teams – Lian Junjie & Yang Hao and Chen Yiwen & Chang Yani, respectively – and the shooting duo Huang Yuting & Sheng Lihao are forecast to take the gold.

France: Number of Olympic Gold Medals: 264

Proud host of this year’s Olympic games, France is predicted to perform well on home turf. So well, in fact, that many sportsbooks are predicting a third-place win for the highest number of gold medals and sixth place for the overall number of medals.

After scoring 2x gold medals in Tokyo 2020, Clarisse Agbégnénou is a serious contender for the judo Olympic gold. Also favored by the sportsbooks are Sara Balzer (fencing), Mélanie De Jesus Dos Santos (artistic gymnastics), Antoine Dupont (rugby sevens), Teddy Riner (judo), and Léon Marchand (swimming).

Sportsbooks are also betting on the French teams to do well, with the women’s handball team the clear favorite across betting platforms. Both the men’s and women’s handball teams won gold in Tokyo, so it’s hardly a surprise that France is currently the leading Olympic country in the sport.

Image Credit: Flashpict/Shutterstock

Australia: Number of Olympic Gold Medals: 164

Australia has competed in every modern summer Olympics since Athens in 1896 and brought home at least one medal every time, so it’s hardly surprising that they’re forecast to score well across the table. The Aussie team has athletes competing in almost every Olympic event, barring only handball, fencing, and volleyball. 

Swimming is Australia’s most recurrently successful sport. This year, its 45-strong team of Dolphins looks set to win again, featuring top athletes like Ariarne Titmus, Kaylee McKeown, Emma McKeon, and Elijah Winnington. Jessica Fox is also predicted to place in the canoe slalom event, while Grace Brown competes for the top spot in road cycling.

Great Britain: Number of Olympic Gold Medals: 284

Though smaller in size than top competitors like the US and Australia, Great Britain is a serious contender for the most gold medals by country at Paris 2024. GB has competed in every modern Olympics since its inception and – as of the 2020 games – is currently third in the all-time Summer Olympics medal table, both by the number of golds and the overall tally of medals won. Great Britain is also the only country to have won at least one gold every year.

Tom Daley (diving), Andy Murray (tennis), Helen Glover (rowing), Max Whitlock (gymnastics), and Adam Peaty (swimming) are part of GB’s ‘golden generation’: Olympic legends who have come out of (or are extremely close to) retirement for one final swipe at the gold medal.

Other top contenders include GB’s youngest-ever Olympian Sky Brown (skateboarding), first-ever female weightlifting medalist Emily Campbell, and Sports Personality of the Year favorite Keely Hodgkinson (800m).

Japan: Number of Olympic Gold Medals: 169

The ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic meant that Japan’s turn to host the 2020 Olympics, which were postponed until 2021, wasn’t quite the large-scale operation it had envisaged. Nonetheless, the nation celebrated its most successful Olympics so far and arrived in Paris ready to fight for a spot at the table once more (and doing so in front of a much larger crowd).

Akari Fujinami hasn’t lost a wrestling match since she was in junior high, while Misaki Emura is hoping to win Japan’s first gold medal in fencing after coming first in the International Fencing Federation World Rankings. Competing in BMX freestyle, Rim Nakamura is aiming to become Japan’s first podium winner in an Olympic cycling event, while Shigeyuki Nakarai, better known as Shigekix, hopes to become the first male breaking champion in the history of the festival. 

Other top competitors include Daiki Hashimoto (gymnastics), Hina Hayata (table tennis), Haruka Kitaguchi (athletics), Tatsuru Saito (judo), Keisei Tominaga (basketball), and siblings Hijumi and Uta Abe (judo).

Netherlands: Number of Olympic Gold Medals: 95

Paris 2024 sees the Netherlands’ largest number of competing athletes in the country’s Olympic history. With a grand total of 276 athletes – 47 of whom are competing in track and field events – the Netherlands is hoping to build on the 36 medals won in Tokyo, eight of which were won in a single day.

Boasting numerous European champions in events like rowing, cycling, hockey, and athletics, the Netherlands is predicted to win over a dozen gold medals in Paris. Track and field athletes Femke Bol and Sifan Hassan, alongside cyclists Mathieu van der Poel and Harrie Lavreysen and shot putters Jessica Schilder and Jorinde van Klinken, are among the Netherlands’ top contenders for a gold medal.

Canada: Number of Olympic Gold Medals: 71

Paris 2024 is only Canada’s 29th appearance in the Olympic games, but it has performed consistently and successfully enough to earn a spot in the list of the 10 top-performing countries. Canada brings 315 athletes to the Olympic games, hoping to take a place on the podium in 31 events.

Summer McIntosh, who made her Olympic swimming debut at the age of 14, is returning to the Olympic games following a year of world record-breaking swims. Canada’s Olympians with the most gold medals, Andre De Grasse and Penny Oleksiak, are hoping to build on the six and seven medals they won across their first two Olympics, respectively. 

Eleanor Harvey (fencing), Aaron Brown (track and field), Josh Liendo (swimming), Bianca Andreescu (tennis), Katie Vincent (sprint canoe), Brian Yang (badminton), Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson (beach volleyball), and Fay De Fazio Ebert (skateboarding) are also favored to score well.

Image Credit: Inspiring Team/Shutterstock

Germany: Number of Olympic Gold Medals: 201

Germany consistently ranks within the top 10 performing Olympic countries. In fact, it has remained within this list for the last 21 consecutive summer Olympics, though it has yet to clinch the very top spot.

Basketball player Dennis Schr?der is expected to lead the team to victory, having played in the NBA since 2013 (most recently with the New York Nets). Long jumper Malaika Mihambo, despite a recent COVID-19 infection, is returning to Paris to defend her Tokyo gold, while rising star and German champion Lukas M?rtens hopes to secure the gold in his Olympic debut.

Angelique Kerber and Alexander Zverev (tennis), Timo Boll (table tennis), and Isabell Werth (dressage) are all looking to add to their Olympic medal collection, and the men’s basketball, women’s football, and men’s handball teams are predicted to score well.

Republic of Korea Number of Olympic Gold Medals: 96

Paris 2024 will be the Republic of Korea’s 19th Summer Olympics appearance after winning six gold, four silver, and ten bronze medals in the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics. The Republic has long been the undisputed champion of Olympic archery and repeatedly scores well in combat sports events like taekwondo, judo, and wrestling.

The women’s archery team of Jeon Hun-young, Lim Si-hyeon, and Nam Su-hyeon is predicted to bring home the Republic of Korea’s 10th consecutive gold. On the other hand, individual shooting athletes Ban Hyo-jin, Oh Ye-jin, and Kim Ye-ji are expected to finish at the top of the leaderboard. Oh Sang-uk (fencing) and Kim Woo-min (swimming) are also forecast to perform well in their events.

Title Image Credit: Shutterstock

Olympics Games Betting: The Essential Betting Guide

• Whether betting on the Olympics is legal in depends on which country you are in. However, most counties have legalized sport betting which includes the Olympics.
• There are actually four Olympic games. The summer Olympics, the Winter Olympics, the Paralympics and the Special Olympics.
• The Paralympics and the Special Olympics are often confused with each other. The difference is that the Paralympics is primarily for athletes with physical disabilities, while the Special Olympics is for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
• This guide will cover the basics of Olympics betting and answer questions such as ‘can you bet on the special Olympics?’

Often considered the pinnacle of many athletic events, the Olympics sees athletes from more than 180 countries come together to compete across a variety of sporting events.

As the Olympics are only held every four years and switch host nations every time, each competition has its own personality. This provides exciting opportunities for viewers to enjoy lesser-seen sports and fan favorites.

You can make things even more exciting by Olympic sports betting. Olympic games betting is legal in many countries globally, although there are some critical restrictions you need to consider before you start betting.

Read our complete guide to learn more about how you can bet on the Olympics 2024, including whether wagering on events is legal and some tips for placing successful wagers.

History of Betting on the Olympics

The Olympics are one of the oldest sports events in history, dating back to Ancient Greece around 776 BC. There is evidence that even during the Ancient Olympic Games, betting on athletes to win events was common.

While the Ancient Olympic Games finished around 393 AD, the modern Olympic Games returned in 1896. Most countries globally didn’t accept sports betting legally until later in the 20th century, with the UK legalizing sports betting, including Olympics betting with the Betting and Gaming Act 1960.

Legalizing Sports Betting on the Olympics

Meanwhile, places like the US have regulated sports betting since 1949. However, legal sports betting was limited to Nevada for most of this history. Anyone who visited the Silver State could bet on the Olympic games.

The US Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) in 2018, allowing other US states to legalize sports betting within their borders. Dozens of US states now allow sports betting, and you can bet on the Olympics 2024 at online sportsbooks or through retail sportsbooks.

Some countries worldwide do not allow betting on the Olympics or any other sports for cultural and religious reasons. For example, sports betting is prohibited in Saudi Arabia under Sharia law.

Olympic Sports Betting: Choosing a Winner

Standard Olympic sports betting involves athletes or teams competing against each other in competitions or events that are usually won through scoring points of some kind (goals, touchdowns, etc.). Most sportsbooks allow you to predict the final event and key events that will happen during the event, such as how many home runs a player will hit in a baseball game.

In Olympic events, many events are determined by the judges’ scores, like boxing matches that don’t feature a knockout. Another example is synchronized diving, which involves several rounds of scoring to determine which nations get a medal.

Of course, backing the nations that have consistently won the most gold medals is always a good idea.

Most sportsbooks won’t offer markets on individual moments during events for the Olympics but will allow you to wager on medal winners. The main exceptions to these rules are soccer and basketball, which will feature many of the same markets you’d expect when placing different types of sports bet.

Image credit: Heathers/Shutterstock

Can You Bet Money on The Olympics?

You can bet on the Olympics in many countries globally, with sportsbooks operating in Canada, the UK, and the rest of Europe allowing a wide range of wagers on these events.

You must use a sportsbook licensed in your jurisdiction to browse and wager on Olympic betting markets. For example, if you play in the UK, you must use a site licensed by the UK Gambling Commission.

Legality of Olympics Betting in the US

You can also bet on the Olympics in the US, although the availability of this betting will vary from state to state. For example, some US states will completely prohibit Olympic betting. Meanwhile, some states will allow betting on events like soccer and basketball but restrict wagers on judged events like gymnastics, surfing, equestrian, and BMX.

Many Olympic sports are amateur sports, which may raise ethical issues with some players. However, if your licensed sportsbook offers markets on an Olympic sport, it is doing so safely and legally.

Some Olympic events like skateboarding and gymnastics feature young athletes under 18. For example, an 11-year-old competed at the 2024 Olympics in skateboarding. Most sportsbooks will prohibit wagering on events featuring younger athletes to protect them from the pressure created by sports betting.

Betting on Different Types of Olympics

Of course, there are two Olympic competitions for fans to enjoy: the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics. While these events both showcase the top athletes, they host different sports and betting opportunities. Below, we’ll cover a few of the differences between betting on the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics.

Can You Bet on The Summer Olympics?

Summer Olympics sports betting is so appealing to bettors because there is a broad mix of sports to enjoy, including fan favorites like basketball and soccer, alongside niche sports like martial arts, equestrian events, and gymnastics.

As athletes compete at the highest level, the fields for these events are often relatively even, meaning some generous odds are available.

As the Summer Olympics are often held in the gap between the seasons of many major sports, the competition gets plenty of competition from sportsbooks. You’ll find special offers like chances to earn bonus bets, odds boosts, and other promotions available before and during the tournament. 

Can you bet on the Winter Olympics

The first Winter Olympics was hosted in Chamonix, France, in 1924. The competition was held in the winter months of January and February in the same year as the Summer Olympics until 1994 when it moved to two years after every Olympics.

For example, the 1994 Winter Olympics was held between the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

While the Summer Olympics has a mixture of sports players might recognize from outside of Olympics betting, most Winter Olympics sports are niche. Therefore, there are many exciting new events for sportsbook customers to wager on, including curling, biathlon, and snowboarding.

Can you bet on the Special Olympics?

Betting on the Special Olympics made its first appearance in 2003, when BetOnline announced it would be offering a sportsbook for the event. So the answer to ‘can you bet on the special Olympics?’ is now a resounding yes!

Can you bet on the Paralympics?

As with the standard Olympics, whether you can bet on the Paralympics will depend on the legality of sportsbook betting where you live. But if its legal to bet only Olympics in your area, then it’s also legal to bet on the Paralympics.

Image credit: Kovrop/Shutterstock

Betting Strategies for the Olympics

Like all sports betting, wagering on the Olympics is can come down to luck as much as skill. However, there are some Olympics betting strategies you can consider to increase your chances of winning.

One key factor is research. There are dozens of sports at the Olympics, many of which you can usually bet on, like basketball, cycling, tennis, and soccer, so many fans may be excited to back markets on niche sports.

However, betting on a sport you know nothing about may result in losing wagers. So, hold off on those canoeing slalom bets! That being said, niche sports are a best places to find PK bets.

The Home Field Advantage

While it may seem simple, backing the hosts is a strong strategy for Olympic betting. Past games have shown that hosts often perform better on home soil than nations would usually rank.

For example, Australia came fourth in the 2000 Olympic games in Sydney, a finish it has only matched once since. Meanwhile, South Korea hosted in 1988 and finished fourth, a position it has failed to match since.

The best example was Spain, which hosted the games in 1992 and finished the tournament in sixth. The nation has not ranked in the top ten in any games since then.

Betting on Different Olympic Sports

One of the things people most enjoy about Olympics sports betting is the wide range of sports taking the spotlight over a few weeks.

Whether you’re interested in soccer or taekwondo, there is something for everybody. Some popular sports for Olympic games betting include soccer, gymnastics, athletics, and basketball.

As the hosts, Paris was also allowed to add new sports, such as  surfing, sport climbing, skateboarding, and break dancing. Unfortunately, it seems America’s most hated sport, Ultimate Frisbee, seems to have been dropped (ironically) from the 2028 games in Los Angeles.

Team vs Individual Bets

With so many different events, bettors need to consider various factors. For example, if you’re betting on a sport like basketball or soccer, you’re betting on a team’s performance rather than a single athlete. Many betting sites will also let you wager on players to hit individual stats in games with these events, such as a soccer player scoring a goal.

Even with sports that feature individual athletes, like gymnastics or fencing, you can still wager on the whole performance of a nation. For example, you can bet on a particular athlete to score the highest total in the men’s pommel horse, but a nation to score the most points total.

Additionally, if you’re betting on a sport that might feature young athletes, such as skateboarding or gymnastics, you may not find betting lines available for these events to protect these athletes.

Will You be Able to Bet on The Olympics in 2024?

The Olympics brings together around 200 countries together to compete in a wide range of athletic events. For many sports, the Olympics is the highest level of competition.

You place wagers on the Olympics in multiple countries worldwide, although the events and bet types that may be available will vary. It’s tempting to try betting on all the sports you don’t see very often at sportsbooks, but we recommend doing your research to place the most intelligent bets you can. 

While betting on the Olympic Games is exciting, it’s important to always gamble responsibly. Many sportsbooks offer account tools like deposit, time, and spending limits to help control your gambling habits. If you need support, you’ll find on-site resources on how to play responsibly and links to third-party problem gambling support.

The Olympic Games hold a special place in many sports fans’ hearts, capable of creating exciting and heartfelt moments with memories lasting a lifetime. The medley of sports covered across the competition allows all sports fans to enjoy something. That enjoyment can be boosted even more by placing sports bets on the world’s biggest sports event.

Title Image credit: Delpixle/Shutterstock

Skip to:

• What Are The Positions In Soccer?
• Player Formations
• Soccer Position Numbers
• Soccer Position Abbreviations

What Are The 11 Positions In Soccer?

Players are grouped into four categories in a soccer roster (or squad). They are:

• Goalkeepers
• Defenders
• Midfielders
• Forwards

Within these categories, there are different specialist positions with a variety of roles, responsibilities, and names. While soccer positions are constantly evolving, and may vary from team to team, they are traditionally grouped as:

• Goalkeepers
• Full-backs or wingbacks (defenders)
• Center backs (defenders)
• Central midfielders (midfielders)
• Wingers or wide forwards (midfielders/forwards)
• Strikers (forwards)

We will look at each of these positions and their different variations below.

Goalkeeper

What they do:

Goalkeepers are primarily responsible for preventing the opposition from scoring goals. They do this by stopping or ‘saving’ shots from opposition players, reading the game and clearing any balls that are played in behind their defenders, or catching or punching crosses.

If a keeper can stop the opposition from scoring for the whole game, this is known as a ‘clean sheet’, and in most major tournaments and leagues, there are awards for goalkeepers that achieve the most. In the Premier League, it’s known as the ‘Golden Glove’.

As well as their goal-stopping capabilities, goalies are also increasingly required to have high-level passing skills. Most present-day coaches try to play possession-based football, where the whole team passes around the opposition from one end of the pitch to another, and this all starts with the goalkeeper.

Key Skills:

Shot stopping, catching, punching, organization, communication, agility, reflexes, anticipation, passing and kicking.

Famous players in this position:

Ederson, Allison, Thibaut Courtois, Manuel Neuer, Oliver Kahn, Iker Casillas, Peter Schmeichel, Gianluigi Buffon, Gordon Banks, and Lev Yashin. 

Full-back And Wingback

What they do:

Full-backs play on either side of a defense. They work together with other defenders to stop opposition attacking players from creating chances and scoring goals.

Known as either a right-back or left-back, they often face one-on-one situations against opposition wingers or forwards, but must offer an outlet when their team has the ball, and provide offensive support for their forwards.

This traditionally unglamorous position has developed a lot over the past few decades, and modern full-backs are now often viewed as a key creative component of their team. Former full-backs like Dani Alves, Phillip Lahm, and Roberto Carlos helped revolutionize the position and showcased how effective full-backs could be in maintaining possession, building attacks, and carving opportunities out for offensive players.

Wingbacks do a similar job to full-backs but have more of an emphasis on an attacking play, supporting their forwards and attacking players to try and create chances for their team. Historically, wingbacks played a lot further up the field than full-backs, but many of the best current full-backs in the world, like Trent Alexander Arnold and Kyle Walker, are often expected to do both jobs and cover the entire flank, or even move into midfield spaces.

Key Skills:

Tackling, positioning, tactical awareness, interceptions, passing, crossing, speed, stamina, dribbling, communication and versatility.

Famous players in this position:

Trent Alexander Arnold, Kyler Walker, Achraf Hakimi, Dani Carvajal, Dani Alves, Phillip Lahm, Roberto Carlos, Javier Zanetti, Ashley Cole, Cafu, Nilton Santos.

Center-back

What they do:

Center-backs, also known as central defenders or center-halves, play at the heart of a defense, and their primary objective is to stop the opposition from scoring and creating goal threats.

Usually playing as a pair or a three, center-backs help to organize their team’s defensive structure, ‘mark’ opposition attacking players, build their own team’s attacks, and win both offensive and defensive aerial duels. Often center-halves are the biggest, strongest players on the pitch, and use this physicality to disrupt and dominate the opposition in both boxes.

Center-backs can have different roles within their team, depending on the team’s tactical requirements and the player’s skills. For example, John Stones (Manchester City) is known as a technical ‘ball-playing’ defender who is comfortable on the ball and starts attacks with clever passes.

On the other hand, Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus) was known for aggression, tenacity, and ‘no-nonsense’ defending which were skills that were more traditionally associated with center-backs.

Key Skills:

Tackling, positioning, tactical awareness, blocking, interceptions, passing, strength, communication, leadership, heading, jumping, and anticipation.

Famous players in this position:

Virgil van Dijk, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Piqué, Carles Puyol, Vincent Kompany, John Terry, Fabio Cannavaro, Paolo Maldini, Ronald Koeman, Franz Beckenbauer, and Bobby Moore.

Center Midfield

What they do:

Central midfield is one of the most diverse and sophisticated positions in soccer. Center midfielders usually play one, if not a combination of the following roles:

Holding or defensive midfielder

Defensive midfielders protect their center backs and break up opposition attacks with interceptions and tackles. They are also responsible for offering an initial outlet to build attacks and need excellent passing skills.

Box-to-box

Outstanding all-rounders, box-to-box players have to do everything on the pitch, helping their teams both offensively and defensively. Using a combination of physicality, hard work, and technical skill, box-to-box players are equally likely to be seen making a key tackle in their own half as shooting on goal or providing a key pass for a striker.

Number 8

Similar to a box-to-box midfielder, number 8s have outstanding all-round ability but are more focused on controlling the possession and tempo of a game and building their team’s attacks.

Playmaker or attacking midfielder

Also known as attacking midfielders, or “number 10s”, playmakers try to create chances and score goals for themselves or their teammates. They often play between midfield and attacking players. They require outstanding touch, vision, passing, and shooting skills.

Central midfielders need to have diverse skills and may be required to play different roles even in the same game. Real Madrid star, Jude Bellingham previously wore the number 22 which signified the fact he could be a number four (holding midfielder), eight (box-to-box midfielder), and ten (attacking midfielder) at the same time. It highlights the importance of versatility in this position.

Key Skills:

Passing, awareness, vision, dribbling, control, tackling, interceptions, pressing, shooting, stamina, tactical awareness, communication, leadership, versatility, technique and playmaking.

Famous players in this position:

Jude Bellingham, ?lkay Gündo?an, Kevin De Bruyne, Pedri, Luka Modri?, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf, Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard, Zinedine Zidane, Bobby Charlton and Lothar Matthaus.

Wingers Or Wide Forwards

What they do:

Wingers (also known as wide forwards) are attacking players that play on the flanks. They try to create and score goals for their team. Traditionally, wingers operated in the wide positions of a midfield four, however, many modern coaches play with a 4-3-3 formation and use two wide forwards and one central striker.

Wingers are often the quickest and most skillful dribblers in the team and usually have lots of individual battles with the opposition full-back throughout a match.

Wingers either look to run past opposition defenders on the outside, and cross balls into the box for their teammates to attack, or they cut inside and look to shoot or play passes around the opposition in central areas. Both require excellent close control, attacking vision, and pace.

Key Skills:

Speed, acceleration, dribbling, control, passing, crossing, shooting, tactical awareness, technique and playmaking.

Famous players in this position:

Lionel Messi, Vinicius Junior, Mohamed Salah, Gareth Bale, Neymar, Rivaldo, Arjen Robben, Ryan Giggs, Stanley Matthews, George Best, and Garrincha.

Striker Or Center-forward

What they do:

Also known as the ‘number nine’ position, the striker soccer position is primarily responsible for scoring goals for their team. Usually, they operate in central areas (which is why they are also known as center-forwards) and act as the goalscoring focal point of the team.

Strikers are matched up against central defenders, so have to have outstanding physical attributes. They either need to be able to hold off defenders and protect the ball so their team can build attacks, or to have the speed to run behind them. The best strikers in football history could often do both.

Prolific strikers can be the difference maker for their team. After all, goals win games. The best strikers can dig their team out of a sticky situation with a majestic piece of play or outstanding finish. This is why the striker position in soccer often costs more money than players in any other position.

Key Skills:

Shooting, technique, control, positioning, tactical awareness, composure, passing, pressing, strength, speed, heading, jumping, and anticipation.

Famous players in this position:

Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Luis Suárez, Robert Lewandowski, Samuel Eto’o, David Villa, Alan Shearer, Gerd Müller, Pelé, Ronaldo, and Alfredo Di Stéfano.

Soccer Player Formations

It’s also important to understand formations. Formations, tactics, and player responsibilities are constantly developing, and it is the coach’s job to get the most out of their team. There are no restrictions on where players can go on the field, or what they can do (within the rules). That’s up to them and the coach.

Soccer coaches or managers set their teams up in formations that dictate where the player will most often be on the pitch, and what their responsibilities are within the team. The most common formations in the modern era are:

• 4-4-2
• 4-5-1
• 4-3-3
• 4-3-2-1
• 4-1-3-2
• 5-4-1
• 4-1-2-1-2 diamond
• 3-5-2

Each formation has its pros and cons, and a coach might want their players to be very rigid and disciplined within it, or give them more freedom and expression on the pitch. It’s the player’s job to understand what the coach wants, and then execute it in the game.

Soccer Position Numbers

All soccer players wear numbers on the back of their jerseys, and they often correspond to the position that the player plays on the pitch. Historically, players wore the correct number for their position, and ‘squad players’ were assigned a number above 11.

Nowadays, though, it’s not unusual to see a modern superstar wearing a non-traditional soccer number. Liverpool’s Trent Alexander Arnold wears the number 66, while Man City’s Phil Foden wears 47. Legendary Brazil striker Ronaldo Nazário also wore number 99 in his time at AC Milan because his favored number 9 was already taken.

But, most commonly, positional numbers in soccer:

1. Goalkeeper
2. Right-back
3. Left-back
4. Center-back
5. Center-back
6. Central defensive/holding midfielder
7. Right winger/forward
8. Central/box-to-box midfielder
9. Striker
10. Playmaker/attacking midfielder
11. Left winger/forward

Soccer Position Abbreviations

All soccer field positions can be abbreviated down to two or three letters, instead of using the full name. If you’ve ever built your own soccer team online or played a soccer management simulation game, you’ve probably discovered this before.

The full list of abbreviations are:

• Goalkeeper – GK

• Center-back – CB

• Right full-back – RB

• Left full-back – LB

• Right wing-back – RWB

• Left wing-back – LWB

• Central defensive/holding midfield – CDM

• Center midfield – CM

• Attacking midfielders – AM

• Right winger/forward – RW

• Left winger/forward – LW

• Center forward – CF

• Striker – ST

Soccer Positions FAQ

Soccer positions are their roles can be complicated, especially if you’re not familiar with the game. To make sure you’ve got all the info you need, we’ve answered some of the most commonly asked questions about soccer positions:

Q: What are the 11 positions in soccer?

The 11 positions in soccer are Goalkeeper, right-back, left-back, center-back, central defensive/holding midfielder, right winger/forward, central/box-to-box midfielder, striker, playmaker/attacking midfielder and left winger/forward

Q: What is the hardest position in soccer?

Since its a team game, all positions contribute to the success of the team in soccer. However, the goalkeeper is usually regarded as one of the hardest positions in soccer because of their unique role.

Q: How many players on a soccer team?

While only 11 players can be on the field, most soccer teams have a roster of 18 to 23 players on average. This allows them to cover the five substitutions they are allowed and adapt to any injuries.

Q: How many soccer players are allowed on the field?

Only 11 players are allowed on the field per team. A goal keeper and 10 outfielders. However, teams can find themselves playing with fewer players if any get red-carded and sent off.

Learning The Beautiful Game

In this article, we’ve covered everything you need to know about all positions in soccer and their related soccer numbers. Remember though, soccer number positions are just theoretical. Just because a player usually plays a specific position, or wears a particular number, doesn’t mean they can’t go into a certain area of the pitch, attack and defend, or even play multiple positions in one match.

As the game develops and coaches are looking for more innovative ways to beat opposition teams, traditional positions are becoming a thing of the past.

Players are increasingly required to take on more responsibility on the pitch, so don’t be surprised to see star strikers working as hard defensively as they do in the attacking third, or for a full-back to be their team’s main creative outlet. Positions are just a guide. Coaches, players, and teams are all unique.

For more on soccer, check out our articles on soccer relegation, the best soccer teams of all time, and the richest soccer teams.

A pick’em is a rare occurrence when oddsmakers do not see any difference between two teams. The odds are so close that sportsbooks are unable to determine which team is better, or who will be the betting favorite or the underdog. In these games, oddsmakers will set the point spread at zero, or a pick’em.

What Is PK In Betting?

The PK wager, or pick’em in betting, is a straightforward two-way choice: Team A or Team B. In this instance there is no point spread involved. You simply pick the team you think will win, and that’s it.

If you make a PK bet in soccer or football and the game results in a draw or tie, then the wager is considered a push and you get your money back.

Do not confuse a pick’em bet with a moneyline bet. If you make a moneyline wager on a soccer match, there could be three possible outcomes: Team A wins, Team B wins, or a draw.

How PK Betting Works

A PK bet is simplified because you have only two choices. Once you made a decision on a team you like, then it’s time to bet and you pick’em!

At American sportsbooks and apps, a pick’em bet will often be marked with “PK” in the straight bets, or the point spread section. Sometimes will be marked like a point spread designation of -0 or +0.

At Asian and some European sportsbooks, a PK bet in soccer will be designated as Draw No Bet (DNB).

If you win, you earn back your stake plus winnings. If you lose, then you lose your entire wager. If the outcome is a tie or draw, then you get your money back.

Examples Of PK Betting

Many North American sports leagues utilize a pick’em wager in events that use a point spread in games. Variations of this are a run line in baseball, or a puck line in ice hockey.

In North American football (including the NFL, college football, or the CFL), point spread bets are the most popular form of wagering. Two teams will be designated with a point spread, which is a margin of points to level the playing field. If the point spread is a zero, it will be designated a pick’em or PK.

The Super Bowl is one of the biggest sporting events every year. It’s also the largest betting day of the year in the USA. Ten years ago, Super Bowl XLIX was so evenly matched between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks that oddsmakers could not determine which team was better. It’s rare that a game lands on a pick’em. It’s even rarer when that’s the point spread in the Super Bowl. To understand the significance of a pick’em line, you just need to take a look at NFL historical betting data. A pick’em occurs approximately 1.1% of the time.

The Super Bowl is played on a different neutral site every year, so neither team gets the benefit of a home-field advantage. If the Patriots or Seahawks played on their home turf, there would’ve been a clear favorite. However, the home-field advantage was neutralized in the Super Bowl between two equally matched teams. As a result, sportsbooks in Las Vegas and all around the world set the point spread in Super Bowl XLIX as a pick’em, or PK.

A pick’em might seem rare in football, but they happen more frequently compared to basketball.

A pick’em doesn’t always mean that two teams are evenly matched, but depending on a specific situation, there is no clearcut favorite.

Injuries are a major factor in determining if a specific game is listed as a pick’em. The New York Knicks could open as a -2 favorite against the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Playoffs. If a starter is later listed on the injury report, then oddsmakers could move the point spread to a pick’em.

Home/away splits are another factor. On paper, one team is slightly better than the other if they played on a neutral site. For example in the NFL regular season, the Seattle Seahawks have a noticeable home-field advantage in front of their boisterous fans and in a stadium that’s so loud that opposing teams struggle to communicate with each other. The San Franciso 49ers are the better team and should be a two-point betting favorite at a neutral site. However, the 49ers must go on the road and play the Seahawks in a hostile environment, so the point spread will be moved to a pick’em.

Understanding PK Odds And Payouts

The odds for a straight pick’em bet might be slightly lower than a moneyline wager, but the simplicity is why it’s popular.

With a moneyline wager in soccer, there are three potential outcomes including a draw. That’s a 33.3% chance that any of those outcomes will win. With a pick’em bet and only two potential outcomes, there’ a 50% chance that your wager wins.

Bettors will opt for a PK bet when there are two evenly matched teams. This often happens in major championship events li the FIFA World Cup Final, UEFA European Championship, or the MLS Cup Game.

The standard price for a pick’em bet in a college football or NFL is -110 odds, or you must lay $110 to win $100. Keep this in mind because sometimes it’s better to bet a pick’em, and there are some instances where a moneyline bet is a better option.

Keep an eye out for situations when the point spread is a pick’em but there’s a discrepancy in the moneyline. In Week 1 of the upcoming 2024 NFL season, the New York Giants host the Minnesota Vikings. A few sportsbooks listed the line as a pick’em. However, the moneyline prices are different for each team with the Giants at -115 and the Vikings at -105.

If you want to bet the Giants, a pick’em bet is the better option. If you make a moneyline wager on the Giants, you will have to lay $115 to win back $100. Pick’em bets are -110 odds, so you’ll only have to lay $110 to win $100.

If you think the Vikings will win, then a moneyline wager is a better bet than a pick’em. If you bet the Vikings on the moneyline, you only have to lay $105 to win $100, versus a pick’em bet where you must lay $110 to win $100.

Pros And Cons Of PK Betting

Some cautious bettors prefer pick’em bets, or draw no bet in soccer. It’s often viewed as the safest bet to make because you only have a 33.3% chance of losing, with a 33.3% chance of winning and a 33.3% chance of getting your money back if the game results in a push.

One of the negatives about betting a pick’em is that it’s hard to predict the outcome.

When an oddsmaker handicaps a game, a multitude of factors are considered and explored. Even during an era of analytics and advancements in AI technology, it’s still amazing when a game is listed as a pick’em.

If oddsmakers and sportsbook experts are unable to make a decision after analyzing even the most granular data, then there’s probably multiple reasons why it’s a pick’em. If a game is that difficult to pick and too close to call, it’s probably wise to avoid it.

Lead image credit: SeventyFour/Shutterstock

But, cashing winning tickets isn’t always straightforward, and even the best bettors have to accept some losses to go with their wins. So, in this article, we’re going to look at the hardest sports to bet on, so you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into before making a bet.

8. NBA

The NBA tops our list as the easiest sport to bet on, for several reasons. Firstly, it is easy to get information on the NBA. It is one of the most watched sporting leagues in the world and has a huge number of games every season, so the amount of information available is incredible.

Also, because every NBA team plays a minimum of 82 games, there is a lot of data to inform selections, even after the first month of play. Unlike the NFL, where teams play a lot fewer games, the NBA provides a raft of statistics and patterns that are ready to be observed.

Another major reason that NBA basketball is easier to bet on than other sports is that it often has dynasties that dominate the league for several years. Since 2000, three clear dynasties were likely to win the NBA championship or at least make the conference finals every year. The LA Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, and Golden State Warriors all enjoyed sustained periods of success that made bettor’s jobs easier.

Finally, a basketball court is always the same, and games can’t be interrupted by gale-force winds or blizzards. This makes it easier to predict what a particular player will shoot from the free throw line, and means there are fewer variables when predicting a playoff series’s outcome.

7. College Football

The ‘dynasty’ argument is also strong in college football and is why this sport ranks at number 2 on our list. While college football playoff wins don’t quite translate in the same way as NBA Championship wins do, the same teams are often dominant every season.

Since the introduction of the playoffs in 2014, Alabama has had the most appearances, wins, and championships. Clemson and Georgia have also had dominant teams, including the 2022 Georgia Bulldogs who maintained a perfect record for the whole season and clinched back-to-back National Championships.

In theory, this makes college football one of the easier sports to bet on. The historical, established schools are rarely upset by divisional minnows. So, while there’s never a sure thing in sports betting, it would be a big shock if Georgia didn’t complete the three-peat this season.

6. MMA

MMA is by far the newest sport on our list. Most of the other sports covered in this article have been established and played internationally for decades or even centuries. The UFC is just 30 years old, and the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts were only developed in the 2000s.

This means the depth of talent and competitiveness is arguably thinner than in some other sports. In women’s MMA, there have been a raft of dominant champions in the past 10 years.

Ronda Rousey, Valentina Shevchenko, Cris Cyborg, and Amanda Nunes have all enjoyed spells as champions where many pundits called them unbeatable, and most challengers were written off before even entering the cage. Men’s MMA has also seen dominant champions, which many bettors have cashed in on, including Jon ‘Bones’ Jones and Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Another element of MMA that helps bettors is that fighters often have a particular style that will inform how they will approach a fight. For example, current UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya competed in over 80 professional kickboxing or boxing bouts before starting his career in MMA.

Adesanya has never won via submission in his MMA career because his skill set favors striking. His opponents are also less likely to engage with him in striking because he is a specialist, so many opt to wrestle. This can help bettors predict the outcomes of fights, but also how many takedowns will be attempted, for example.

Proceed with caution, though, as the puncher’s (and kicker’s) chance is a real thing in MMA. Just ask Ronda Rousey, who was dethroned after a 10-fight winning streak by a brutal head kick from Holly Holm.

5. College Basketball

This is where things start to get a little more tricky. College Basketball is by no means an easy sport to bet on, but there are elements of the sport that can help you as a bettor. Like the NBA, college basketball has a certain level of predictability purely because outside influence is minimal. Every game is contested on the same court, and no one team can be hit by weather or condition changes like they can in many other sports.

There are also college programs that consistently have dominant records, and make final fours and elite eights. But, before you log in to your favorite sportsbook and back North Carolina, UCLA, Duke, or Kansas to make the final four this season, remember that the playoffs are called ‘March Madness’ for a reason.

Even the smallest schools with no historical precedent can beat the established names in college basketball, and it’s been happening more than ever in the past few seasons. No.16 seeds have beaten no.1 seeds twice in the past five seasons, something that didn’t happen once in the preceding three decades.

The NCAA transfer portal, which was introduced in 2018, undoubtedly shook things up, and bettors are still learning to cope with the instability caused by the tool.

4. NFL

The NFL undoubtedly has dominant teams and is currently being dominated by the latest dynasty – the Patrick Mahomes-led Kansas City Chiefs. So, if you want to make a wager that the Chiefs will win the Super Bowl in 2024, it wouldn’t be a bad bet. However, there are just too many variables in the NFL to call it an easy league to bet on.

Football is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world, and injuries to star players are much more common than in the NBA or Premier League. The NFL has taken measures to protect quarterbacks in recent years, but accidents can happen when a bunch of 3-400 pound linemen are wrestling just a yard or two away, with several of them trying to decapitate you.

The previously mentioned Patrick Mahomes is clear evidence of this. In the Chiefs’ 2023 divisional-round playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Mahomes suffered a serious ankle injury. Chiefs fans and NFL bettors alike had their heads in their hands as they waited for news, and luckily for them, he recovered just in time for the Super Bowl, where the Chiefs claimed victory.

The NFL season also runs from autumn through winter, so weather conditions can get pretty adverse and contribute to upsets. The weather is the same for both teams, but the unpredictable nature of the sport is amplified by particularly cold or wet conditions that make life tough as a bettor.

3. Baseball

Number six on our list is baseball, which is one of the more difficult sports to bet on. Each team in the MLB plays 162 games, which is both good and bad news for bettors. It’s good because the more data you have to draw from, in theory, the more successful you can be.

However, there is probably a sweet spot for most bettors, (like the 82-game NBA seasons), and studying statistics for literally thousands of games can become tedious very quickly. Hence, it’s challenging to use all the available information correctly when betting.

Baseball teams also blow hot and cold. Within a season, teams take regular road trips or three or four games at a time, and even for the best teams, this can be tricky. In 2022, the LA Dodgers recorded one of the best regular seasons in MLB history, going 111-51, with a win percentage of .685.

This meant that despite delivering one of the most impressive records in the history of baseball, the Dodgers still lost over 30% of their games, and for most clubs, their records are around .500. This makes baseball a great sport to watch, but not amazing to bet on.

2. Soccer

Soccer is a difficult sport to bet on because of the amount of variables. The game lasts for 90 minutes, plus stoppage time, and can even go to extra time (another 30 minutes), then to a penalty shootout. Penalties are often considered a coin flip, and there were five of them in the 2022 World Cup, which is not ideal if you’re predicting who will win the tie.

Weather, crowd hostility, injuries, discipline, and the fact that players or coaches can’t stop the game voluntarily means that anything can happen on a soccer pitch, and it often does. Soccer is also known as one of the most passionate sports, especially at a professional level. On an almost weekly basis, there are outrageous, headline-grabbing acts from players, managers, and fans that can contribute to unpredictability.

The difficulty of betting on soccer also depends on the type of wager you want to make and the league you’re betting on. For example, the Premier League is widely regarded as one of the most competitive leagues in Europe based on depth (a smaller team is more likely to beat a bigger team), and therefore more unpredictable but Manchester City has five of the last six league titles.

It was easy to predict that City would win the league but much harder to forecast that they would win just six times in 11 games between October and February before going on a 16-game unbeaten run to claim the title.

1. Golf

Golf is a notoriously tough sport to play, and it’s also the hardest to bet on. The mental and physical demands of golf put even the world’s best through the wringer, especially in the majors.

Golf tournaments are played outdoors, usually over four days, so the amount of variables golfers will encounter is huge. In many major championships, the weather plays a significant role. Rain, and particularly wind, can derail an outstanding round or turn a good score into a bad one. Golf pros also have to deal with various terrains, and need lady luck on their side when the ball leaves the fairway.

Golf is also one of the most competitive sports in the world. At the highest level, the depth of talent is immense which means that even players ranked outside the top 100 in the world have a realistic chance of claiming the biggest prizes.

Between 1991 and 2011, eight golfers who were ranked outside the world’s top 100 won major titles, including Ben Curtis, who won the 2003 Open Championship whilst ranked at number 396 in the world! This proved that relative unknowns could win the biggest prizes in golf, even in the Tiger Woods era.

Knowledge Is Power

It’s important to note that no matter how experienced you are as a bettor, the most important thing is research and knowledge. The more information you can get to inform your selection, the more chance you have of success.

There is a reason why Premier League star, Ivan Toney, was punished so severely for betting on his own team. Toney had inside information which gave him an advantage in predicting the outcome of matches. However, even without ‘insider knowledge’ the same theory applies. The more knowledge you have, the better your chance of knowing what will happen in a sporting event.

So, although some sports are easier to bet on than others, you should always bet on sports you understand and ideally that you love and follow closely.

While each fan base has their own opinion on who the most ‘ice cold’ or aggressive NHL fans are, we blocked out the noise and went straight to the stats. Through a nationwide survey and weighted index score, we analyzed sportsmanship behaviors of 3,000 US and Canadian NHL fans. We measured everything from the frequency of booing, cheering for the opposing team’s injuries, general lack of empathy, and more!  

Key Findings: 

• Chicago Blackhawks have the #1 most ‘ice cold’ fans, scoring 96.9/100  
• Out of the Canadian NHL teams, the Montreal Canadiens fans are the most ‘ice cold’  
• Ottawa Senators fans are the ‘warmest’ or kindest in the league, with a low aggression score of 5.5/100 
• The Central Division boast the most aggressive fans out of the 4 NHL divisions 
• The West Conference has more aggressive fans compared to the Eastern Conference  

What the puck!? These are the most ‘ice cold’ NHL fan bases

To determine the most ‘ice cold’ fan bases, we surveyed 3,000 NHL fans on the following criteria into a weighted aggression index: frequency of booing, cheering for the opposing team’s injuries, engaging in poor behaviors, trash-talking on the opposing team’s social media platforms, unapologetic towards past poor behaviors, lack of empathy for the opposing team’s losses, and self-reflection rating on their own fan base’s sportsmanship quality.  

Chicago Blackhawks? More like Chicag-oh-no, it’s the Blackhawks fans. They’re ranked the #1 most ‘ice cold’ in the entire league, with a frosty score of 96.9/100. To drop the puck, 22.2% confessed to dropping the gloves with the opposing fan base – the highest percentage in the NHL! Another 62.7% reveal they show no empathy for the other team’s loss, plus an additional 46% feel no regrets about their past unsportsmanlike behavior. You’re definitely skating on thin ice when it comes to Blackhawks fans.  

Tumbling down the rink with their chilling behaviors are the Colorado Avalanche fans, ranking #2 overall with a score of 94. Among the 45.5% who actively engage in mischievous actions, over half (57.6%) feel no remorse for their not-so-kind attitudes. Additionally, another 45.5% admit to not emphasizing with the opposing team’s losses. About 1 in 4 (27%) fans admit to cheering when the rival player gets injured, while 72.5% enjoy booing the other team and their fans. The Colorado Avalanche truly put the ‘ice cold’ in avalanche! 

The New York Rangers fan base skates into #3 place on the ‘ice cold’ rankings, with a total score of 82.8. They earned themselves the title of the most aggressive fan base in the Eastern Conference and the Metropolitan Division. About 11% of Rangers fans admit to getting into physical altercations with the rival teams’ fans, while 44% regularly misbehave at games. Show good sportsmanship? Fuhgeddaboutdit! 

The Carolina Hurricanes rank #4 out of 32, with 78.6 points. Hurricanes fans are the second most aggressive fan base in the Eastern Conference and the Metropolitan Division. The Boston Bruins finish at #5 with an overall score of 73.7, making them the #1 most aggressive fan base within the Atlantic Division.  

The heart of hockey: NHL’s kindest fan bases

Embodying the true Canadian spirit, Ontario‘s own Ottawa Senators fans can proudly claim the title of the NHL’s kindest fan base. Scoring only 5.5 points on the aggression scale, you’re more likely to share a friendly pint than a punch with these guys. About 81.2% avoid any penalty-box behavior and a whopping 93.7% don’t indulge in trash-talking on social media – the highest percentage in the league! When asked to rate their own fan base’s sportsmanship levels, they scored an impressive 3.8 out of 5. Not bad, eh???

One New York team that hasn’t fugeddabout their manners at the rink are the New York Islanders, the #2 kindest fans overall (8.3/100). Unlike their rowdy neighbors, only 20% partake in any funny business – a 56% drop from the Rangers. Impressively, 80% admit to regretting past bad behaviors towards other fans, and thankfully, no one’s dropped the gloves yet.  

The Washington Capitals’ fan base slides in as the #3 kindest, clocking in 10.6 points on the scoreboard. With 80.6% staying cool and classy on social media and 87% steering clear of any misconduct, their rank doesn’t come out of left field.  

Down in the entertainment capital, the Vegas Golden Knights’ fan base shines as the #4 kindest, with 15 points. Knights’ fans can also claim the title as the #1 kindest among the West Conference and the Pacific Division. As for the #5 kindest, the honor goes to the Detroit Red Wings, flying high with a low aggression score of 18.2 points.  

The most cold-blooded NHL Conferences and Divisions

“West Coast is the best coast” in ‘ice cold’ attitudes, that’s for sure! The West Conference has more aggressive hockey fans than the East Coast.  

Out of the 4 divisions, the Central Division boasts the most ‘ice cold’ fans overall (30.8%). The Metropolitan Division follows closely behind (26.7%), with the Atlantic Division in #3 place (21.4%). The Pacific Division has the kindest fans, out of all 4 divisions, with only 20.7% aggressive fans.  

Decoding NHL fan culture: Behaviors, attitudes, and loyalty 

On a scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent), the average NHL fan rates their fan base’s sportsmanship levels at 3.6, just a notch about decent. This, of course, might vary depending on their team’s performance. 

You’re more likely to be hearing a chorus of ‘woo’ than ‘boo’ at the rink, as the average fan registers a 2.7 average booing frequency on a scale of 1 (never) to 5 (always). Keeping the positive vibes going, only 19.2% actually go out of their way to trash-talk their rivalries on social media. 

On the flip side, while most hockey fans cringe at the sight of the other team’s athletes getting injured, 13.6% revel in it. Adding to the wound, 83.6% admit they don’t feel any remorse for their past poor interactions with other fans. However, to keep the hockey spirit positive, 42% do empathize with other teams’ losses. 

In comes the fouls in the rink, out comes the foul language in the seats! Trash-talking seems to be the #1 go-to unsportsmanlike behavior for 86.8%, when things don’t go their way. Taunting comes in as the next, where 59.3% of fans try to provoke others for a reaction. Only a mere 3.6% get sloppy by tossing food or drinks in frustration or drop the gloves for a physical altercation (2.7%).  

Interestingly enough, 48% of fans reveal they’ll stand by their team if they engage in poor misconduct or scandals. Only 37.5% feel indifferent to the situation, while 14.5% would cut their loyalty ties. Like team, like fans?  

Conclusion 

All things considered, despite the variety of attitudes seen across the NHL league, it’s evident that fans’ reactions stem from their intense passion and love for both the sport and their team. May be best team win the Stanley Cup!  

Methodology 

In May 2024, we conducted a nationwide study of 3,000 US and Canadian NHL fans, asking about their sportsmanship behaviors.  

From there, we created a weighted index to analyze and weight a multitude of aggression-like factors to determine the ‘ice cold’ and kindest NHL fan bases:  

1. Participated in physical fights – 25% 

2. Cheers for injuries – 15% 

3. Engages in poor behaviors (trash-talking, taunting, etc.) – 15%   

4. Doesn’t regret poor behaviors – 15%  

5. Lacks empathy for the opposing team’s loss – 15%  

6. High booing frequency – 5%  

7. Trash-talks on the opposing team’s social media accounts – 5%  

8. Self-rated sportsmanship ranking – 5%  

The average age of respondents was 40.5 years old. The representative sample comprised of 65.7% male, 33.5% female, 0.5% transgender, and 0.3% other. 

Fair use 

Feel free to use the data or visuals on this page for non-commercial purposes. Please be sure to include proper attribution linking back to this page to give credit to the authors. 

For any press questions, please contact rhiannon.odonohoe[at]casino.org 

Let’s compare and contrast the WNBA and NBA.

1. NBA vs WNBA Salary

The wage gap between men and women in professional basketball is staggering.

The salary cap in the NBA was $135 million per team for the 2023-24 season, and the average salary was over $10 million. The veteran minimum was $1.86 million in the 2023-24 season, and the rookie minimum was $1.1 million.

In contrast, the WNBA salary cap was set at $1.46 million for the 2023 season, and the average salary is $116,580. The WNBA minimum salary was $64,154, which includes both rookies and veterans with less than three years of service. Veterans entering their third season will earn a minimum salary of $76,535.

Steph Curry from the Golden State Warriors is the NBA’s highest-paid player at $51.9 million per season. At least 10 players are paid more than $45 million per season including LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Jackie Young from the Las Vegas Aces is the highest-paid player in the WNBA with a salary of $252,450. Only four women have an annual salary over $241,000, and 21 players earn at least $200,000.

Caitlin Clark, the all-time leading scorer in NCAA history, will only earn $76,535 during her rookie season, even though the Indiana Fever selected her as #1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.

Over in the NBA, Victor Wembanyama was the #1 pick in the NBA Draft, and he earned $12.16 million during his rookie season.

2. WNBA 3-Point Line vs NBA 3-Point Line

In the NBA, the 3-point line is only 22 feet from the basket in the corners and 23.75 feet at the top of the key. The WNBA 3-point line is closer. The corners are 21.75 feet from the basket and 22 feet at the top of the key.

3. WNBA Ball vs NBA Ball

The NBA uses a size 7 ball, while the WNBA uses a size 6 ball.

A regulation basketball in the WNBA is 28.5 inches in diameter and weighs 20 ounces. The balls in the WNBA are white and orange.

The NBA uses a basketball that is 29.5 inches and weighs 22 ounces. It is one inch bigger and two ounces heavier than the WNBA ball. Additionally, balls are either brown or dark orange, but uniformly one color.

4. NBA vs WNBA Revenue

The WNBA generated $200 million in the 2023 season, whereas the NBA generated $10.58 billion.

Revenue in the NBA and WBNA is generated through television rights, merchandising, sponsorships, and ticket sales. The WNBA is bolstered by a $15 million annual endowment by the NBA, which mostly gets allocated to operating and travel costs.

In the NBA, the owners and players equally split the broadcasting rights which is worth around $2.7 billion a year during the tail end of their current TV deal.

The WNBA earned approximately $60 million this season for its TV and broadcasting deal, which includes live streaming. But, WNBA players only earn 10% of the league’s total revenue vs NBA players’ 50%.

The size of the leagues is important. The NBA has 30 teams, while the WNBA has only 12 teams. Though the WNBA will expand to 14 teams by 2026 with the addition of teams in San Francisco and Toronto (which will mark the first time a franchise from Canada joins the WNBA).

The schedule is also a mitigating factor in determining revenue, because the WNBA plays only 40 games per year, while the NBA’s schedule is 82 games.

Plus, there’s a disparity in ticket price. The average ticket price in the NBA was approximately $94 this past season, while the average ticket price in the WNBA was $47.

However, prices are expected to jump during Caitlin Clark’s rookie season. The Indiana Fever sold out all of their home games this season, and Clark’s popularity means she’s a huge draw on the road, too. So much so that opposing teams are also expected to sell out their home games when the Fever comes to town.

The average ticket price for away games is $108 this season for the Fever, which is a huge jump from $43 per road game last season.

5. WNBA Court vs NBA Court

The WNBA and NBA play on the same sized court. The court is 50 feet wide and 94 feet long, or 15.24 meters by 28.65 meters.

6. WNBA Viewership vs NBA Viewership

The 2023 WNBA Finals between the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty was the highest-rated championship series in over 16 years. It attracted 728,00 viewers per game, which was an uptick of over 36% from the previous postseason. The 2023 WNBA regular season posted their best numbers in over 21 years, which was an uptick of 5% from the previous season.

The 2023 WNBA Draft was the most watched draft in over 20 years, but the 2024 WNBA Draft obliterated those ratings. It attracted 2.4 million viewers, which is a ratings increase of 307%.

With the addition of incoming rookies Caitlin Clark and Cameron Brink, the WNBA expects to smash last year’s ratings and attendance records.

The NBA attracted 1.2 million viewers per game during the 2023-34 regular season. The quadruple-header on Christmas attracted as many as five million viewers.

The 2023 NBA Finals between the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat attracted 11.64 million viewers, which set the best mark in five years.

7. WNBA Attendance vs NBA Attendance

The WNBA expanded their season to 40 games in 2023. As a result, the league posted their highest attendance in 13 years with 1,587,488 tickets sold. The average attendance was 6,615 in 2023, which was up by 16%. The defending-champion Aces led the WNBA in attendance with 9,551 fans per game.

The NBA set a record for attendance in the 2023-24 season with 22,538,518 total tickets sold. The previous season had set a new mark at 22.2 million. The NBA posted an average attendance of 18,324 in 2023-24.

The Chicago Bulls led the NBA in attendance this past season with 845,620 total tickets sold or an average attendance of 20,527 fans per game. Along with the Bulls, at least six other teams attracted 800,000 fans in 2023-24 including the Dallas Mavericks (929K), Philadelphia 76ers (821K), Miami Heat (809K), New York Knicks (808K), Denver Nuggets (807K), and the Toronto Raptors (800K).

This disparity isn’t too surprising when you look at recorded public interest. In 2023, 50% of those surveyed had an interest in the NBA, vs around 30% for the WNBA.

8. WNBA Hoop Height vs NBA Hoop Height

The WNBA and NBA use the same hoop that is ten feet off the ground. Rims are 18 inches in diameter, and the backboards are the same.

9. Best WNBA Player vs Worst NBA player

A’ja Wilson, the former #1 pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft, led the Las Vegas Aces to back-to-back championships. She won the 2023 WNBA Finals MVP with a dominating performance by averaging 23.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. She also won two WNBA MVP awards in 2020 and 2022.

Wilson is listed as a 6-foot-4 power forward and arguably the best player in the WNBA the last few seasons. Wilson posted career-highs in 22.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and 1.4 stealers per game last season but narrowly missed out on winning a third MVP.

So, who is the worst player in the NBA? That’s a great question and it depends on the metrics. Is it a player with the lowest scoring average who appeared in a lot of games? Or is it the last guy at the end of the bench on the worst team in the league?

Dalen Terry, a forward with the Chicago Bulls, could be considered the worst regular rotation player in the NBA last season. Terry finished his second season with the Bulls and appeared in 59 games with two starts. He averaged 3.1 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game while shooting 43.9% from the floor and 58.1% from the free-throw line.

Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons were the worst team in the NBA last season with a 14-68 record. Buddy Boeheim was buried deep on their bench and only saw action in blowouts.

If the last name sounds familiar, it’s because Buddy is the son of Hall of Fame college coach Jim Boeheim. He played for his father at Syracuse where he was a star shooting guard.

During the last two seasons, Boeheim bounced back and forth between the Pistons and their NBA G-League team called the Motor City Cruise. He appeared in 10 games this season, mostly during garbage time, and he averaged 3.4 points in 8.4 minutes of action per game.

Could Wilson beat Boeheim in a one-on-one game? It’s close and would certainly be a great battle.

10. Best WNBA Team vs Worst NBA Team

The Las Vegas Aces have been the best team in the WNBA over the last two seasons. They won two WNBA championships in a row and they’re the betting favorite to win three-straight titles.

The Aces were tied for the best record in the WNBA at 26-10 in 2022. They went 34-6 last season, which was the best record in the league and set a WNBA record for most wins in a single season.

For the last two seasons, the Detroit Pistons were the worst team in the NBA. They went 17-65 in 2022-23 and finished with an even worst record in 2023-24 at 14-68.

The Pistons were so awful this season that they tied an NBA record with the worst losing streak in history. They dropped 28 games in a row at the start of the season before they finally snapped their skid the day before New Year’s Eve.

As bad as the Pistons have been the last two seasons, they have the potential to defeat the Aces in a game. The Pistons have too much size and some of their guards are taller than the WNBA Aces’ tallest players on their frontline.

11. NBA Dunks vs WNBA Dunks

Dunks are rare in the WNBA. Only eight women in the history of the league ever dunked during a game. Lisa Leslie made the first dunk in WNBA history in 2002. Candace Parker recently retired, so Brittney Griner and Jonquel Jones are the only two active players who have dunked in a game.

While not every NBA player has recorded a dunk, some of the shortest players in history were known for their leaping ability. Spud Webb from the Atlanta Hawks was only 5-foot-7, but he once won the 1986 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

Muggsy Bogues, the shortest player in NBA history at 5-foot-3, never dunked in a game in the pros or college. He had a 44-inch vertical leap and dunked multiple times during high school games, according to local lore in Baltimore.

12. NBA Parade vs WNBA Parade

Championship parades in the WNBA tend to be low-key affairs compared to their NBA counterparts. That does not mean that the WNBA has not had their share of rowdy victory parades.

When the Las Vegas Aces won their first WNBA championship, Sin City went all out to celebrate their first-ever major sports championship. Their second parade was even more raucous than their first. The defending two-time champs rode down the Las Vegas Strip in style.

When LeBron James led the Cleveland Cavs to a championship in 2016, the victory marked the city’s first major sports championship. A record number of fans showed up with over 1.3 million people in attendance to celebrate the Cavs’ NBA championship.

13. NBA Rules vs WNBA Rules

• The WNBA plays four 10-minute quarters for 40 total minutes of game time. The NBA also plays four quarters, but each period is 12 minutes for 48 minutes of game time.
• The dimensions of the court are the same including the free-throw line, but the 3-point line is closer for the WNBA. The basketball ball is smaller in the WNBA, but the hoop and rim are the same as in the NBA.
• The WNBA has a 30-second shot clock, while the NBA utilizes a 24-second shot clock.
• The WNBA limits their roster to 12 women. The NBA allows teams to carry 15 players on their roster plus an additional two players on 10-day contracts from their G-League developmental team.
• To enter the WNBA Draft, women must be graduating college seniors or at least 22-years old in the year that the draft takes place. The NBA has an age requirement of 19-years-old and must have one year removed from their graduating high school class. That gap year can be spent in college or overseas.

14. WNBA vs NBA Free Throw Percentage

For the last decade, the WNBA averaged better than 79% from the free-throw line. The WNBA set a career-high with an 80.8% success rate at the charity stripe in 2021. In 2023, the league finished at exactly 80%.

In the NBA, the league is experiencing their best decade at the free-throw line. The NBA averages 77.8% from the charity stripe over the last few seasons. The league finished with a 78.4% success rate this past season, which set a record for highest percentage in history.

We’ve compiled a list of the top 15 highest-paid players in the WNBA, along with their achievements, as well as the overall richest WNBA players (spoiler alert: it’s Sue Bird).

1. Jackie Young – $252,450

Young won an NCAA women’s championship with Notre Dame before she joined the Las Vegas Aces as the #1 pick in the 2019 WNBA Draft. She made the WNBA All-Rookie Team in 2019, and earned the WNBA Most Improved Player in 2022 while shooting 43% from 3-point range.

Young signed a two-year contract extension with the Aces worth $504,900, which makes her the current highest-paid WNBA player.

2. Jewell Loyd – $245,508

The Seattle Storm selected Loyd with the #1 pick in the 2015 WNBA Draft, and she has stuck with them ever since.

Loyd won the 2015 WNBA Rookie of the Year, and led the WNBA in scoring in 2023 by averaging a career-high 24.7 points. Loyd also won two WNBA championships with the Storm in 2018 and 2020.

She signed a two-year contract extension worth $491,016, which makes her the second-highest paid player in the WNBA in 2024.

3. Kahleah Copper – $245,059

After a sensational career at Rutgers University as a wing player, the Washington Mystics selected Copper with the seventh-overall pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft.

After one season with the Mystics, the Chicago Sky acquired Copper in a trade. Then, after four seasons as a bench player, Copper earned a starting role in 2020 and made the most of her promotion by making her first WNBA All-Star Team. Copper led the Sky to the franchise’s first WNBA championship in 2021 and won the WNBA Finals MVP.

Copper has since been traded to the Phoenix Mercury, signing a two-year contract worth $490,118. She’s the third-highest paid player in the WNBA, which is impressive considering she was not a Top 5 draft pick coming out of college.

4. Arike Ogunbowale – $241,984

Ogunbowale, a three-time WNBA All-Star point guard with the Dallas Wings, led the WNBA in scoring in 2020 by averaging 22.8 points per game. She has since inked a three-year contract extension worth $725,952.

During her storied career at Notre Dame, Ogunbowale led the Fighting Irish to a 2018 NCAA women’s championship. She was named the Most Outstanding Player at the 2018 Women’s March Madness and hit the game-winning shot in the championship game.

Ogunbowale also played several seasons overseas in Turkey and Russia.

5. Diana Taurasi – $234,936

The Phoenix Mercury selected shooting guard Diana Taurasi with the #1 pick back in the 2004 WNBA Draft, and she’s stayed with them ever since. Taurasi’s magical run with the Mercury includes three WNBA championships, and was named to 10 WNBA All-Star teams.

No one has scored more points than Taurasi. She leads the WNBA with 10,108 career points in 529 games. In 2006, Taurasi set the league record by averaging 25.3 points per game that season.

Taurasi is in the final season of a two-year contract extension with the Mercury worth $469,872, but has made no indication that she will retire any time soon.

6. Natasha Howard – $224,675

Natasha Howard was a star forward with Florida State before the Indiana Fever selected her with the fifth pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft. Howard played for five different teams during her first ten years in the league, and she’s currently on the Dallas Wings.

She has won three championships, including one with the Minnesota Lynx in 2017, and two with the Seattle Storm in 2018 and 2020.

The versatile Howard is best known for her defense and ability to guard almost every position. In fact, she won the 2019 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year.

In 2021, Howard signed a four-year contract worth $898,700. She’s in the final season of her contract and will become a free agent after this season.

7. Erica Wheeler – $222,154

Erica Wheeler was an undrafted point guard from Rutgers, but never gave up on her dream to play in the WNBA. Despite limited action with the New York Liberty and getting cut by the Atlanta Dream, she joined the Indiana Fever in 2017 and earned a starting role.

In 2019, she was named to the All-Star team and became the first undrafted player in WNBA history to win the MVP of the All-Star game.

After one-year stints with the Dream and Los Angeles Sparks, Wheeler returned to the Fever in 2023. She is in the final season of a two-year contract worth $444,308.

8. Brionna Jones – $212,000

Brionna Jones played collegiate ball in Maryland before the Connecticut Sun selected the center as the eighth overall pick in the 2017 WNBA Draft.

After languishing on the bench for three seasons, Jones got her chance to start in 2020. In 2021, she was named the WNBA Most Improved Player. As the consummate team player, Jones didn’t skip a beat when the coaching staff asked her to come off the bench in the 2022 season.

For her excellence as the top reserve in the league, Jones was named the WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year.

Jones signed a one-year extension with the Sun worth $212,000, which makes her the highest-paid center in the WNBA.

9. Skylar Diggins-Smith – $211,343

The Tulsa Shock selected point guard Skylar Diggins-Smith as the third-overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft. She won the 2014 Most Improved Player shortly after and made her first of six All-Star teams.

After three seasons in Tulsa, the franchise relocated to Dallas. She spent six more seasons in Dallas, before sitting out the 2019 season after giving birth to her first child.

She then spent three seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, and has now signed a two-year contract with the Seatle Storm worth $422,685.

10. Alyssa Thomas – $209,000

As a star forward with the Maryland Terrapins in college, Alyssa Thomas finished her career as the school’s all-time leader in points, rebounds, and triple-doubles. The New York Liberty selected Thomas with the fourth-overall pick in 2014, but she was traded to the Connecticut Sun on draft day.

Despite serious injuries to both shoulders, Thomas averaged a career-best 15.5 points and 9.9 rebounds per game for the Sun in the 2023 season. As a defensive star, Thomas led the league in steals in 2020 and rebounds in 2023. She has earned four trips to the WNBA All-Star game, too.

Thomas signed a four-year contract extension with the Suns in 2021 worth $836,000.

11. Marina Mabrey – $206,667

The Los Angeles Sparks selected Marina Mabrey with a second-round pick in the 2019 WNBA Draft.

After finally earning a starting role with the Dallas Wings in 2022, Mabrey inked a three-year deal with the Chicago Sky worth $620,000.

In her first season with Chicago Sky, Mabry averaged a career-high 15.0 points per game.

Mabrey has also logged a lot of international air miles while playing overseas in Italy, Australia, Israel, and Latvia.

12. Kayla McBride – $206,500

The San Antonio Stars selected shooting guard Kayla McBride with the third-overall pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft out of Notre Dame. She spent four seasons with the Stars before the team relocated to Las Vegas and was rebranded as the Aces.

After three years with the Aces, she joined the Minnesota Lynx. In 2024, McBride signed a two-year contract extension with the Lynx worth $413,000.

McBride also made three WNBA All-Star teams., is a three-time Europe League champion, and played overseas in Hungary, Russia, and Turkey

13. Kelsey Mitchell – $206,000

Indiana Fever selected Kelsey Mitchell with the #2 pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft after a sensational career at Ohio State, where she was an All-American point guard and a three-time Big Ten Player of the Year.

In 2022, Mitchell inked a three-year contract extension with the Fever worth $618,000.

Mitchell earned her first trip to the All-Star team in the 2023 season, and has played overseas in Egypt and Israel as well.

14. Sabrina Ionescu – $205,030

After a dominating college career with the Oregon Ducks, the New York Liberty selected Sabrina Ionescu as the #1 pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft.

Ionescu was named to two All-Star teams, and won the WNBA Three-Point Shootout at the 2023 WNBA All-Star Game.

In 2023, Ionescu signed a two-year extension with the Liberty worth $410,060.

Ionescu is the only NCAA player with at least 2,000 points, 1,000 assists and 1,000 rebounds in her career. She logged 26 triple-doubles at Oregon and is the NCAA career triple-doubles leader.

15. Breanna Stewart – $205,000

Power forward Breanna Stewart, the former #1 pick from the 2016 WNBA Draft, is a five-time All Star and two-time champion with the Seattle Storm. She also won the WNBA Finals MVP twice and earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2016.

Stewart joined the New York Liberty in free agency in 2023, and decided to stay in the Big Apple for at least one more season. She signed a one-year extension with the Liberty, which was worth $205,000.

Stewart has earned $943,450 during her career as a WNBA player in less than a decade.

Who Are The Richest WNBA Players?

The players with the highest WNBA salaries are not necessarily the richest ovreall.

The wealthiest players in the WNBA were able to become rich through a combination of their league salary, overseas compensation from international pro teams, endorsements, and personal investments or side businesses.

Sue Bird has retired, but is the richest WNBA player in history with a net worth of over $10 million.

Although even she doesn’t come close to the richest NBA players!

1. Sue Bird – $10 Million

After spending two decades in the WNBA as a 13-time All Star, Sue Bird earned between $1.8 million and $2.4 million as a professional basketball player. The exact amount is unknown because of her unreported earnings while playing in Russia for almost a decade for Dynamo Moscow, Spartak Moscow Region, and UMMC Ekaterinburg.

Bird’s estimated net worth stems from her endorsement deals with big-time companies such as Nike, State Farm, American Express, Corona, CarMax, and Symetra.

Bird even acquired a piece of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) franchise in New York City known as NJ/NY Gotham FC.

2. Candace Parker – $8.1 Million

Parker retired after a stellar in which she won three WNBA championships and was named to seven All-Star teams.

During her 15 seasons in the WNBA, Parker banked over $1 million, though she was rumored to have earned more than that playing overseas in China, Russia, and Turkey.

During her rookie season in the WNBA, she signed endorsement deals with Adidas and Gatorade. She was also a pitchwoman for Google, Invesco, Modern Fertility, Nissan, Subway, CarMax, and 2K Sports. Parker became the first woman to be featured on the cover of the NBA 2K video game.

Since 2018, Parker has been an analyst and TV commentator for the NBA and college basketball. As an avid soccer fan, Parker also joined the ownership group for NWSL’s Angel City FC in Los Angeles. As a result, Parker is among the richest WNBA players, worth over $8.1 million according to Forbes.

3. Brittney Griner – $5 Million

Center Brittney Griner from the Phoenix Mercury is currently ranked third on our list of the richest WNBA players. She also makes it to number four on our list of the tallest WNBA players.

Griner has earned over $1 million in WNBA career earnings as a pro, and close to $1 million per year playing in Russia for UMMC Ekaterinburg. This was before her profile took a hit after she was arrested by Russian authorities at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow for possessing cannabis vaporizers. She was eventually released from jail via a prisoner swap that made international headlines.

Griner returned to the WNBA in 2023, where she earned $165,100. Her 2024 contract is for $150,000.

In 2013, Griner made headlines as the first openly gay player to endorse Nike when she signed an endorsement deal worth over $1 million. During her career she also endorsed Beats by Dre and Boost Mobile.

4. Diana Taurasi – $3.5 Million

As you’ve seen, Taurasi is currently the player with the fifth highest salary in the WNBA.

Despite being the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer, Taurasi has “only” earned $1.1 million during her career. It’s been rumored that she banked over $1 million playing in Russia however, but the details of her international contract have been hush-hush.

If her health holds up, Taurasi will try to play several more seasons, but her overall net worth is expected to rise in retirement as a popular pitchwoman for national brands like Nike, Coca-Cola, and State Farm Insurance. She earned approximately $1.35 million to endorse BodyArmor.

5. Breanna Stewart – $3 Million

Stewart earned over $943,450 in salary as a WNBA player. She inked her first shoe deal with Nike in 2016. Then, in 2021, she signed with Puma. In 2022, Puma released the first female signature sneaker called the Stewie 1 Quiet Fire.

FAQs About WNBA Player Salaries

How much do WNBA players make?

In 2023, the average WNBA salary was $147,745. In 2023, the NBA’s average salary was $10 million with a league minimum of $1.12 million per season.

It’s important to note that the NBA plays more than twice as many games as the WNBA, and that players salaries are based upon the league’s broadcast and TV rights deal, that is worth billions.

Many WNBA players often supplement their income by playing overseas. This is a huge injury risk and complete culture shock, but many pros have no choice but to play for international clubs in the offseason to earn a living. Women with lucrative endorsement deals have the luxury of resting in the offseason.

Read our article for more differences between the WNBA and NBA.

What is the starting salary in the WNBA?

Rookies in all professional leagues tend to make low wages, but the starting salary in the WNBA is embarrassing low, especially for some of the top collegiate stars entering the league.

The top four picks from the 2024 WNBA Draft (Caitlin Clark, Cameron Brink, Kamila Cardoso, and Rickea Jackson) will earn $76,535 this season. The lowest-drafted rookies will earn $64,154.

Caitlin Clark is the all-time women’s leading scorer in NCAA history, and selected by Indiana Fever as the #1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Despite her accolades, Clark inked a four-year contract with the Fever worth only $338,056.

In many ways, Clarke took a pay cut to fulfil her lifelong goal of playing in the WNBA. But due to her high profile, she will continue to make the bulk of her income in advertisements.

Who is the highest paid WNBA player?

The WNBA player with the highest annual salary is currently Jackie Young, earning $252,450.

What is Kelsey Plum’s salary?

Kelsey Plum’s salary is currently $200,000 playing for the Las Vegas Aces. The team has won consecutive WNBA championships, and boasts the highest-paid player in the league with Jackie Young.

What is A’ja Wilson’s salary?

Center A’ja Wilson from the Las Vegas Aces won the WNBA Finals MVP in 2023, but will only earn $200,000 in the 2024 season, after signing a two-year extension worth $400,000.

And yes, she was named after a Steely Dan song titled “Aja.” Her parents were big fans of the band and loved the name.

Who Is The Shortest NBA Player Right Now?

The shortest current NBA player is Jacob Gilyard. The Brooklyn Nets guard is 5’8” tall.

Considering that you have some of the tallest players of all time in the league right now, like 7’4” Victor Wembanyama, it’s impressive that Gilyard has been able to carve out a career for himself despite being just 5’8” tall.

Gilyard went undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft after playing four years of college basketball for the University of Richmond Spiders. He signed for the Memphis Grizzlies in September 2022, but was quickly moved to their G-League team, the Memphis Hustle.

The Grizzlies re-signed him to a two-way contract in April 2023. He became a regular player for the Griz, leading them in three-point shooting percentage after 20 games. That wasn’t enough to convince Memphis to keep him around, though. The Grizzlies waived Gilyard in February 2024.

The Brooklyn Nets signed Gilyard to a two-way contract in March 2024. In his short time with the Nets so far, he has made four appearances and averaged 11 minutes per game. However, he didn’t score a single point in those minutes.

Gilyard did dish out 1.5 assists per game, though, so it wasn’t all bad for the shortest player in the NBA.

Who Are The Shortest Current NBA Players?

There are just two players in the NBA right now who are shorter than six feet tall. As mentioned, Jacob Gilyard is the shortest current NBA player standing at 5’8″, followed by Isaiah Thomas who is 5’9″.

After Thomas and Gilyard, there is a 8-way tie for the next shortest active players. See the full list of the top 10 shortest NBA players below:

1. Jacob Gilyard: 5’8“ (Brooklyn Nets)
2. Isaiah Thomas: 5’9“ (Phoenix Suns)
3. Jose Alvarado: 6’0” (New Orleans Pelicans)
4. Mike Conley: 6’0” (Minnesota Timberwolves)
5. Aaron Holiday: 6’0” (Houston Rockets)
6. Kyle Lowry: 6’0” (Philadelphia 76ers)
7. Jordan McLaughlin: 6’0” (Minnesota Timberwolves)
8. Davion Mitchell: 6’0” (Sacramento Kings)
9. Chris Paul: 6’0” (Golden State Warriors)
10. Fred VanVleet: 6’0” (Houston Rockets)

Who Was The Shortest NBA Player Ever?

Muggsy Bogues holds the title of being the shortest NBA player of all time.

The 5’3” point guard played nearly 900 games in his 14-year NBA career. Unlike Gilyard, the current shortest NBA player, Bogues was a highly-rated college prospect. He tore up the NCAA with Wake Forest and was drafted 12th overall by the Washington Bullets in the 1987 NBA Draft.

Bogues was so good in college that Wake Forest retired his No. 14 jersey. He wasn’t as impressive in his first NBA season, though.

Bogues started his time with the Bullets strong, alongside 7’7” teammate Manute Bol, but tailed off as the season went on. Washington left Bogues unprotected in the 1988 NBA expansion draft. He was then drafted by the Charlotte Hornets.

After joining the Hornets, Bogues became a genuine star. During his nine seasons with Charlotte, he was one of the league’s best assistmen, averaging more than seven assists a game in all but one season.

Bogues was also surprisingly solid defensively despite his height. He was consistently one of the league’s leaders in steals and would occasionally even block a shot. Bogues blocked 39 shots in his career, including a legendary swat on 7-foot-tall Patrick Ewing in 1993.

Top 10 Shortest Players In NBA History

Bogues tops the list of shortest players in NBA history, and is probably the most famous short NBA player, but he’s far from the only shorter man to have had a solid career in the NBA.

Here are the 10 other shortest NBA players in history:

1. Muggsy Bogues: 5’3” (1987-2001)
2. Earl Boykins: 5’5” (1999-2012)
3. Spud Webb: 5’6” (1985-1998)
4. Mel Hirsch: 5’6” (1946-1947)
5. Greg Grant: 5’7” (1989-1996)
6. Kieth Jennings: 5’7” (1992-1995)
7. Red Klotz: 5’7” (1947-1948)
8. Wat Misaka: 5’7” (1947-1948)
9. Markquis Nowell: 5’7” (2023-2024)
10. Monte Towe: 5’7” (1976-1977)

Insights About The Shortest NBA Players

We’re not ones to make blanket statements, but after looking at the list of the shortest NBA players in history, we’ve noticed some trends. Here are some of the things we’ve spotted related to the odds of making it in the NBA.

1. Short players average less points per game

Of the 25 shortest players in NBA history, just three have averaged more than 10 points per game in their NBA careers.

Calvin Murphy and Isaiah Thomas are the only players 5’9” or shorter to average 20+ points per game in a season. Murphy did it five times. Thomas has averaged more than 20 a night three times, including the 2016-17 season, where he scored 28.9 points per game.

The reason why short players in the NBA struggle to score is pretty obvious. It’s harder for them to shoot over players. This is even more clear when you look at their shooting percentages.

Bogues, Boykins, Thomas, Murphy, and Spud Webb, the five most famous short NBA players, played in the NBA for a combined 65 seasons. Between them, there are just two seasons where they shot more than 50% from the field.

2. But short men can dunk

When you think of the greatest dunkers in NBA history, not many short players come to mind. Maybe they should, though. Despite their size, plenty of the shortest NBA players in history have been surprisingly good dunkers.

Spud Webb stunned the competition at the 1986 Dunk Contest, beating out seven other players who were all 6’5” or taller, including the legendary Dominique Wilkins. 5’9” Nate Robinson is the only player in NBA history to win three dunk contests.

Allen Iverson, Isaiah Thomas, Ty Lawson, Will Bynum, Chris Paul, and JJ Barea have all been known to throw it down occasionally. Even Muggsy Bogues claimed he could dunk.

FAQs About Short NBA Players

What is considered short in the NBA?

In today’s NBA, anyone under 6’2” tall is considered short. For comparison, the average height for US males is 5’9”. If an average man played in the NBA today, he would be just one inch taller than the shortest current NBA player (and four inches shorter than the average WNBA player).

Who is the best NBA player under 6 feet?

Former Houston Rockets legend Calvin Murphy is the best NBA player under 6 feet tall in history. The Hall of Famer scored over 17,000 points while being just 5’9”. The current NBA players under 6 feet tall are not the greatest players of all time. Neither Jacob Gilyard nor Isaiah Thomas played more than 6 games in 2024.

Do NBA players get shorter?

Not really. The average NBA player height was 6’4” in the 1952-53 season, and is now 6’6.5″, so there has been an increase in height. That said, the NBAs’ tallest decade was actually in the 80s (average height of 6’7.2″) and has gone up and down since.

But with players like 7′4″ Victor Wembanyama and 7′1″ Chet Holmgren leading the next generation, it’s unlikely that the average is going to continue to go down.

How many 5’11” players are in the NBA?

There are currently no players in the NBA who are 5’11” tall. However, there are seven players listed at 6 feet tall. It’s possible that some of these players are rounding up their height to avoid being labeled as ‘small’ by scouts, general managers, and coaches. Chris Paul famously appears to be much shorter than his 6’0” listed height.

How many 6 foot players are in the NBA?

There are eight 6 foot players in the NBA: Jose Alvarado, Mike Conley, Aaron Holiday, Kyle Lowry, Jordan McLaughlin, Davion Mitchell, Chris Paul, and Fred VanVleet.

Can Muggsy dunk?

If you ask Muggsy Bogues whether he could dunk, the answer is 100% yes. The shortest player in NBA history has repeatedly said he can dunk and that he did it in high school and college. However, there’s no footage of Bogues ever dunking. He never dunked in the NBA.

However, round robin bets are considered suboptimal wagers with high variance. It’s paramount you know what you’re doing and always exhibit proper bankroll management.

This article covers:

• What is a round robin bet?
• How does a round robin bet work?
• How to win a round robin bet
• How to make a round robin bet
• Round robin betting strategy
• Are round robins good bets?

What Is A Round Robin Bet?

First, it’s important to understand what a parlay bet is. A parlay bet is a bet that combines two or more individual wagers into one. To win any money, each of the individual wagers must win.

A round robin bet is a combination of multiple parlays. A bettor essentially turns a parlay into a series of smaller parlays in a round robin, so you bet each possible combination individually.

What’s the benefit here? Well, how many times did only one team wreck your parlay? A round robin gives you a chance to win a smaller parlay with the other teams you originally picked.

When you place a wager on a three-team parlay, then your parlay is toast if Team A is a loser.

If you place a round robin bet using the same teams from your three-team parlay, then the leg with Team B and Team C will be a winner, even though Team A lost.

How Does A Round Robin Bet Work?

Round Robin Bet Example 1:

Let’s say you like three teams and want to put them in a parlay. Your parlay would look like this: TEAM A + TEAM B + TEAM C. You are betting that all three teams will win.

A three-team round robin bet creates three different two-team parlays (also known as a “2 Pick”) from the three teams you chose. Your 2 Pick round robin would look like this:

1. TEAM A + TEAM B
2. TEAM A + TEAM C
3. TEAM B + TEAM C

So, a $10 round robin wager for a three-team parlay will cost you $40. That price includes $10 for the initial parlay, plus an additional $10 per combination for the 2 Pick ($10 x 3 combinations = $30).

If Team A is a loser, but Team B and Team C both win, then you can still cash the third parlay with Team B + Team C.

Round Robin Bet Example 2:

Let’s take a look at what a four-team parlay looks like in a round robin format: TEAM A + TEAM B + TEAM C + TEAM D.

For your four-team round robin, you have the option of betting a “2 Pick” (a bet on every possible combination of two teams from the group of teams you have selected) or “3 Pick” (a bet on every possible combination of three teams).

If you select Pick 2, then you will make six two-way parlays. A 4-team round robin parlay with a Pick 2 will look like this:

1. TEAM A + TEAM B
2. TEAM A + TEAM C
3. TEAM A + TEAM D
4. TEAM B + TEAM C
5. TEAM B + TEAM D
6. TEAM C + TEAM D

If you select a Pick 3, then you will make four three-way parlays. A 4-team round robin parlay with a Pick 3 will look like this:

1. TEAM A + TEAM B + TEAM C
2. TEAM A + TEAM B + TEAM D
3. TEAM A + TEAM C + TEAM D
4. TEAM B + TEAM C + TEAM D

A round robin bettor also has the option to wager on all combinations. In the above example, this would equal 11 total bets. The 11 bets would be comprised of the initial four-team parlay plus the six Pick 2 parlays and four Pick 3 parlays.

For a $10 round robin, the total investment is $110 (11 bets at $10 each). If one of your four teams loses, you would still win four out of 10 round robin bets.

As the number of teams in your parlays and round robins increase, both the potential reward and the risk go up. A seven-team parlay will give you the option for a round robin with various combinations from a Pick 2, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, or Pick 6.

Just a reminder, it takes a stout bankroll to afford a proper seven-team parlay round robin.

How Do You Win A Round Robin Bet?

A perfect round robin is when all the teams in your initial parlay win. When that happens, all of your round robin bets will cash.

If one of your teams from your three-team parlay losses, then your overall parlay will lose, but you can still win one of your three round robin bets. If Team A loses, then the round robin parlay with Team B and Team C will cash.

If one team from your four-team parlay loses, you will still win three out of six of your round robin Pick 2 bets. If you made a round robin Pick 3, then you will win one out of your four bets. If you bet all possible combinations, then you will cash four out of 10 round robin bets.

How To Make A Round Robin Bet

In most sportsbook apps, a round robin feature will appear if you generate a parlay with three or more teams.

At the bottom of the screen, or at the bottom your betting slip, you will see a round robin dropdown option.

Depending how many teams are in your initial parlay, you will have the chance to generate round robin bets in a preferred combination.

• A three-team parlay will give you an option for a 2 Pick round robin.
• A four-team parlay will give you an option for a 2 Pick or 3 Pick round robin.
• A five-team parlay will give you an option for a 2 Pick, 3 Pick, or 4 Pick round robin.

The more teams you have in your parlay, the more combinations you have to choose from.

Round Robin Betting Strategy

Parlays are risky by nature, and not considered smart bets over the long term. The same goes for round robin wagers.

That said, you can use a round robin bet to minimize your total losses. You will win something in return if all but one of your teams from your parlay loses.

If you like a lot of underdogs on a particular day, then consider a round robin as part of your overall strategy to bet combinations of underdogs in a money line parlay.

Make sure your round robin bets pay out at least +130 odds, which is considered the break-even point. If you’re betting several favorites, then the payouts will be lower than +130 odds, so avoid that potential round robin.

The most effective round robin is to pinpoint four underdogs in a 3 Pick round robin, so long as the odds are +130 or longer.

Obviously, if your parlay offers significantly long odds or contains a lot of teams, then your payout will be higher.

In the full coverage strategy, a bettor will generate a round robin with all possible combinations.

In a limited coverage strategy, a bettor will generate a round robin with a specific number of combinations. For a four-team parlay, this could entail just betting a 3 Pick combo and not a 2 Pick.

Round Robins are not limited to a specific sport. You can wager on multiple sports like a four-team parlay and subsequent round robin that includes teams from the NBA, NHL, and MLB.

Are Round Robins Good Bets?

Parlays are not the sharpest wagers because that’s how casinos and sportsbooks mint money (by offering odds that are less than what the actual math dictates).

Unsavvy bettors love parlays because the perceived high payout is very tempting, and you can win a lot on a small investment. Professional bettors view parlays as sucker bets because many amateur bettors do not know what they’re doing.

Round robin wagers are suboptimal bets over the long run, because you’re betting a series of parlays. They can be expensive to make, especially if you wager on all possible combinations. Their profit margin is much lower compared to a single bet or traditional parlay.

Moderation is the key to long-term happiness and survival in the gambling world, especially with sports betting. If you want to fire away at a round robin, make sure you know how to gamble responsibly. And good luck!

Lead image credit: san4ezz/Shutterstock

In this article, we’ll look at the 10 tallest WNBA players ever, the tallest current WNBA players, and the average height of women in the WNBA.

Top 10 Tallest WNBA Players Ever

1. Margo Dydek – 7’2″ (218cm) – Poland

The biggest WNBA player ever, and the only player in league history to stand over seven feet tall, was Margo Dydek, who was the first overall pick in the 1998 NBA draft. She was selected by the Utah Starzz and had a long career in the WNBA with three different teams where she was a two-time All-Star and eight-time blocks leader.

Dydek also had a stellar European and International career, helping Poland to win the EuroBasket Women in 1999. Tragically, Margo Dydek died at the age of just 37 after suffering a cardiac arrest at home.

2. Han Xu – 6’11 (211cm) – China

Han Xu is the second tallest WNBA player, and often gets compared to her compatriot, NBA legend, Yao Ming. Like Ming, Xu is known for her extraordinary height and uses this weapon to her advantage on the court.

Xu was drafted by the New York Liberty in 2019 and has had a decent career so far, averaging 5.8 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. Internationally, she helped China win the silver medal in the 2022 World Cup, and gold at the 2023 Asia Cup.

3. Bernadett Hatar – 6’10” (208cm) – Hungary

Another European, Bernadett Hatar comes in at number three on our list and is the current Centre for The Connecticut Sun. Unlike Dydek, Hatar is relatively inexperienced in the WNBA and has just 13 career appearances in the league. Across her WNBA career, Bernadett Hatar has averaged 3.5 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.

4. Brittney Griner – 6’9″ (205cm) – USA

Brittney Griner is the tallest American to ever play in the WNBA and a true great of the modern era. A nine-time WNBA All-Star and 2014 WNBA champion with the Phoenix Mercury, Griner is one of the most recognizable female basketball players in the US.

Unfortunately for Griner, this isn’t solely for sporting reasons. The Houston native was at the center of an international diplomatic crisis in 2022 when she was arrested and held for several months on drug smuggling charges in Russia.

Luckily this was resolved and Griner returned to the WNBA in 2023, when she averaged 17.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.

Brittney is also one of the richest WNBA players.

5. (tie) Haixia Zheng – 6’8″ (203cm) – China

Haixia Zheng is one of the tallest players to ever play in the WNBA, and her stature made her an intimidating proposition on the court. In addition to her impressive height, Zheng weighed 250lb during her time in the WNBA, which made life even more difficult for her opponents.

She is an Olympic bronze and silver medalist with the Chinese national team. In 1997, she became the first Asian and International player to win a WNBA award, when she received the Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award.

5. (tie) Maria Stepanova – 6’8″ (203cm) – Russia

Maria Stepanova was selected by the Phoenix Mercury, with the 8th overall pick of the 1998 WNBA draft. She stayed in the NBA for three years, before moving to Korea to play for the KB Stars.

Stepanova won two Olympic bronze medals while representing Russia, and was awarded the FIBA Europe Women’s Player of the Year a record three times between 2005 and 2008.

5. (tie) Liz Cambage – 6’8″ (203cm) – Australia

Liz Cambage played six seasons with three teams in the WNBA between 2011 and 2022, and was a four-time All-Star. During the 2019 playoffs, she averaged an impressive 23.6 points per game for the Las Vegas Aces, but the team fell to the Washington Mystics in the semifinals.

As well as the WNBA, Cambage has played for teams in Australia, China, and Israel. She’s also won medals at the Olympics, FIBA World Cup, and Commonwealth Games whilst representing Australia.

5. (tie) Lindsay Taylor – 6’8″ (203cm) – USA

Another well-traveled giant-of-the-game, Lindsay Taylor played two seasons in the WNBA (and missed another due to injury) and represented clubs in Turkey, Korea, China, France, Poland, and Angola across a 20-year career.

Taylor also enjoyed a stellar college career. In 2014 she was elected to the UC Santa Barbara Hall of Fame, thanks to holding records as their all-time leading point scorer, blocker, and most accurate shooter.

5. (tie) Razija Mujanovi? – 6’8″ (203cm) – Bosnia

Razija Mujanovi? is the joint fifth tallest WNBA player ever, and the last on our list who stands at 6’8″ tall. Despite having a career that spanned 27 years, she played just one season in the WNBA, where she averaged 9.1 points and 5.1 rebounds for the Detroit Shock.

Mujanovi? was primarily known as a force in the European game, where she won four EuroLeague titles, and twelve national championships with various clubs. She was elected to the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2017 and won a silver medal at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, representing Yugoslavia.

10. Katie Feenstra-Mattera – 6’7.5″ (202 cm) – USA

Katie Mattera played in the WNBA for five seasons following an outstanding college career at Liberty University that saw her nominated for the Naismith Award. She made the 2005 WNBA All-Rookie Team, but her professional career never reached the same heights as college.

After retiring as a player, she returned to Liberty as an assistant coach. She has also held the head coach position at Cornerstone University.

Who Is The Tallest WNBA Player Right Now?

Han Xu, who stands at 6’11” tall, is the tallest current WNBA player. She is 3.5 inches taller than the average NBA player’s height, and the second-tallest player in WNBA history. Xu plays as a center for the New York Liberty and is 24 years old.

The Other Tallest Current WNBA Players

As of the 2024 season, there are 10 WNBA players that are 6’6” or above. They are:

1. Han Xu: 6’11” (New York Liberty)
2. Bernadett Hatar: 6’10” (Connecticut Sun)
3. Brittney Griner: 6’9” (Phoenix Mercury)
4. Kamilla Cardoso: 6’7” (Chicago Sky)
5. Kalani Brown: 6’7” (Dallas Wings)
6. Teaira McCowan: 6’7” (Dallas Wings)
7. Elizabeth Kitley: 6’6” (Las Vegas Aces)
8. Azura Stevens: 6’6” (Los Angeles Sparks)
9. Jonquel Jones: 6’6” (New York Liberty)
10. Mercedes Russell: 6’6” (Seattle Storm)

How Tall Are WNBA Players On Average?

According to 2023 data, the average height of a WNBA player was 6’1″ but the average varies greatly depending on position. WNBA centers have an average height of 6’4″, forwards 6’2″ and guards 6’.

In contrast, the average height of an NBA player is a whopping 6’6.5″ inches.

Dallas Wings guard Crystal Dangerfield is the shortest player in the WNBA, standing at just 5’5″, which is the same height as Earl Boykins, the second shortest player in NBA history.

Does Height Really Matter?

Height is undoubtedly an advantage on the basketball court, but you have to know how to use it. As detailed above, the tallest players in WNBA history aren’t necessarily the best. Two of the best players ever, Cynthia Cooper-Dyke and Diana Taurasi, are 5’10” and 6’ respectively, which shows no matter your height, you can still get it done on the court.

Enjoyed this? Check out our WNBA vs NBA article.

Lead image credit: Lorie Shaull/Flickr, CC BY 2.0 

It’s always tough comparing eras, with rules and regulations changing throughout time. But there are a select few fighters who simply can’t be overlooked.

Here’s my take on the best boxers of all time. Let the debate commence.

10. Benny Leonard

Considered by many as the leading lightweight in history, Benny Leonard was a true in-ring genius, and certainly one of the best boxers ever.

The cerebral “Ghetto Wizard” reigned for eight years through his technical prowess and scientific approach, while overcoming esteemed foes such as Johnny Dundee, Johnny Kilbane, Lew Tendler and Freddie Welsh.

Legendary trainer and cornerman Ray Arcel named Leonard as the best fighter he ever saw pound-for-pound.

9. Bob Fitzsimmons

Boxing’s inaugural three-division world champion.

Bob Fitzsimmons was one of the most fearsome punchers ever to step in the ring.

The Cornwall-born “Freckled Wonder” stopped Ireland’s “Nonpareil” Jack Dempsey to become middleweight champion, knocked out James J. Corbett for the heavyweight crown, then bested another Irishman George Gardiner to win light-heavyweight honors.

8. Willie Pep

The ultimate master of ‘The Sweet Science’.

Willie Pep was boxing’s leading defensive wizard and also responsible for one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history.

“The Will O’ the Wisp” was a two-time featherweight champion and majestically waltzed through 1956 rounds over 241 fights in his prestigious career.

7. Ezzard Charles

One of the most technically complete fighters to ever grace the ring, Ezzard Charles won more bouts than any other heavyweight boxer in the sport’s history, cementing his place as one of the best boxers of all time.

“The Cincinnati Cobra” was arguably the most astute light-heavyweight ever to compete and rallied to successes over fellow Hall of Famers Archie Moore, Joe Louis, Jimmy Bivins, Joey Maxim and Jersey Joe Walcott in his career.

6. Muhammad Ali

The word legend gets thrown around a lot today.

But it perhaps applies most fittingly when describing the one and only Muhammad Ali.

Born Cassius Clay, the American would go on to have arguably the most significant and iconic career and life of any boxer ever.

An Olympic Gold medalist. One of the best heavyweight boxers of all time. A cultural icon. A role model.

Ali was worthy of being called “The Greatest”.

5. Roberto Duran

At the peak of his powers, and even past them, “Manos de Piedra” was as great as it gets in the squared-circle.

Roberto Duran reigned in four divisions from lightweight to middleweight in a career amazingly spanning five decades.

The Panama puncher was supremely gifted in all areas of the fight game and, with over 100 career victories – including against Ken Buchanan, Sugar Ray Leonard and Esteban de Jesus to name a few – he is without a doubt one of the greatest fighters ever.

4. Henry Armstrong

The great Henry Armstrong is the first and only fighter in history to hold three world titles in three separate divisions simultaneously.

Plus he did it at a time when there was only one ruler at each weight class.

Through featherweight, welterweight then lightweight, “Hammerin’ Hank” beat all-comers including Barney Ross, Lou Ambers and Chalky Wright.

A relentless pressure-fighter who defended his 147lbs crown 18 times and cemented his legacy as a true all-time boxing hero.

3. Sam Langford

“The Boston Terror” is unquestionably the greatest fighter to never win a world title.

But that didn’t matter.

Sam Langford’s greatness doesn’t need silverware as proof. His resume and credentials speak for themselves.

The Canadian was a genuine force of nature from lightweight all the way to heavyweight, beating the likes of Joe Gans, Jack Johnson and Joe Jeanette in a career which lasted over two decades.

2. Sugar Ray Robinson

Sugar Ray Robinson was undoubtedly the greatest prize-fighter ever caught on film. And as the inspiration for a young Cassius Clay, Robinson was as close to the perfect boxer as it gets.

He is the best welterweight of all time and the sport’s first five-time division champion for his middleweight.

With 200 professional bouts, 172 wins and 109 knockouts in a career spanning a quarter of a century, Robinson was a truly monumental fighter.

1. Harry Greb

The absence of any fight footage doesn’t in any way hinder the simply remarkable career of “The Pittsburgh Windmill”. He is undoubtedly the greatest fighter of all time.

Harry Greb’s record and resume read like a fictional novel.

It defies logic and is virtually unbelievable.

A middleweight champion with around 300 official career ring outings, he also beat top names at light-heavyweight and heavyweight. Most notably he handed Gene Tunney his only ever defeat.

Overall he conquered an amazing 18 world champions, faced 16 Hall of Famers a total of 48 times and, in 1919 alone, he reportedly went 45-0 while beating five fellow HOF inductees.

“The Human Windmill” also achieved a lot of his later career success with just one eye as he became blind from an injury.

He tragically died at just 32 following complications during routine respiratory surgery.

There have been plenty of great fighters since Greb, and there will be many more in the future, but no one will ever realistically be able to match or surpass his accomplishments.

Other all-time greats: Barney Ross, Archie Moore, Joe Gans, Sugar Ray Leonard, Joe Louis, Mickey Walker, Tony Canzoneri, Jimmy McLarnin.

Lead image credit: Wikipedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

10. Jordan Spieth – $120 Million

Jordan Spieth is the youngest name on this list.

He burst onto the scene in 2014, when he was runner-up at the Masters in his first appearance at the tournament. He won it the year after, before then winning the U.S. Open. In 2017 he won the Open Championship.

The only Major he hasn’t won is the PGA Championship.

Despite his young age, Spieth is already the 7^th highest earner in golf history, winning over $62 million in prizes.

Endorsements have contributed heavily to Spieth’s wealth. He’s worked with some of the world’s biggest brands, including Coca-Cola, Rolex, and AT&T.

Most famously, though, Speith is associated with sports brand Under Armour, the apparel he has worn since turning pro in 2012.

In 2022, Speith and Under Armour announced an extension of his existing deal, which was due to run until 2025. He will now wear the Baltiomore-based brand until at least 2029.

Amazingly, back in 2015, when Speith was chasing the Grand Slam of all four Majors in one year, over $100 million was wiped off Under Armour’s share price after he missed out in the final hole of The Open Championship. Despite this, Spieth is still one of the richest golfers of all time.

9. Fred Couples – $150 Million

Fred Couples is not only one of the world’s richest golfers, but also one of the most famous.

His first PGA Tour victory came in 1983. Since then, he has gone on to win 15 titles on the Tour, but has only ever managed to win one Major: the 1992 Masters. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2013.

Couples is only 65^th on the all-time money list, having won just under $23 million.

But since he’s the co-owner of Couples Bates Golf Design, and has had endorsement deals with many major companies, including Jaguar, Mitsubishi Electric and Bridgestone, he’s made it to number nine on our rich list.

His enormous career earnings were also boosted by video games. “Boom Boom” lent his name to two Sega-produced video games in the ‘90s:? Fred Couples Golf, and Golf Magazine: 36 Great Holes Starring Fred Couples.

8. Gary Player – $250 Million

South African Gary Player is one of only five players to have ever won all four Majors.

The Black Knight also won over 150 professional tournaments across the world, including 24 PGA Tour titles and 60 Sunshine Tour titles. He was awarded the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.

Over his 60-year career, he won over $14 million. He’s earned far more than that since retiring, though.

He has had sponsorship deals with companies like Callaway, SAP and Rolex, plus he owns Gary Player Design, a golf course design company.

All of Gary Player’s businesses, including Gary Player Design, Player Real Estate, The Player Foundation, Gary Player Academies, and Black Knight Enterprises, are covered under the umbrella of Black Knight International. These businesses range from live events to memorabilia.

7. Rory McIlroy – $250+ Million

Rory McIlroy turned professional in 2007 and won his first Major (the U.S. Open) in 2011.

Within three years, he had won three more Majors. The only Major to have eluded him so far is the Masters.

He is currently seen as one of the superstars of the golfing world.

McIlroy has earned over $80 million throughout his career from golf alone, putting him second on the list of all-time money winners.

In 2022, he earned an incredible $18 million for his win in the FedEx Cup alone. It was the third time he claimed that lucrative prize.

Like most of the names on this list, McIlroy makes a large part of his fortune away from the course and was second only to Tiger Woods in off-course earnings in 2023.

The Irishman signed a deal with Nike in 2017, rumored to be worth an incredible $200 million. He also founded TGL with Tiger Woods – an indoor “high-tech league” for golf, where high-profile players will compete in a team format alongside celebrities.

4. (tie) Jack Nicklaus – $400 Million

Jack Nicklaus has won an amazing 18 Majors – more than any other player.

His six Masters wins make him the most successful player in the tournament’s history. He’s also won 73 PGA Tour titles, as well as nine on the European Tour, and was awarded the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.

Nicklaus earned millions from golf, although his winnings are dwarfed by those paid out to modern-day players.

Business ventures have also contributed heavily to his wealth. The 80-year-old owns one of the world’s largest gold course design companies, plus he’s written many books and launched clothing and wine businesses.

Nicklaus has had a long list of lucrative brand and sponsorship deals throughout his career, and even lent his name to a video game in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

Most recently, Nicklaus has given his name and likeness to a line of soft drinks from the Arizona Beverage Company, which also produces an Arnold Palmer line.

4. (tie) Jon Rahm – $400 Million

Jon Rahm is one of the best golfers in the world, but thanks to signing his record-breaking deal with LIV Golf in 2023, he has now become one of the richest.

A double major winner, Rahmbo was an integral part of the 2023 European Ryder Cup team, but shocked the sports world in December ‘23 when he announced he was joining LIV Golf.

After saying “The (LIV) format is not really appealing to me” and “I am officially declaring my fealty to the PGA Tour” in 2022, Rahm was eventually persuaded. It turns out money does talk, and now Rahm and his family are sitting on stacks of it.

The deal guaranteed Rahm a reported $300 million upfront, but will be worth a total of $5-600 million over the next four years.

Before joining LIV, Rahm already had an eye-watering net worth of $100 million, thanks to earning over $51 million in prize money alone.

4. (tie) Greg Norman – $400 Million

Greg Norman, famously known as the “Great White Shark”, is one of the best-known Australian sports stars of all time.

Despite spending 331 weeks as world number one, he only managed to win two Majors. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2001.

Norman was the first player to earn $10 million in career earnings, however much of his money came from business ventures.

He started the Greg Norman Company in 1993, and this company now owns a range of businesses in varied industries, including real estate and golf course design.

In 2021, Norman left Greg Norman Company to become the CEO of LIV Golf Investments, the Saudi Arabian-backed start-up that has shaken up the golf world.

3. Phil Mickelson – $800-$900 Million

Phil Mickelson is one of the most successful golfers of recent times.

Referred to as “Lefty” by golf fans, he’s won six Majors, including the Masters in 2004, 2006 and 2010. He’s also won 45 times on the PGA Tour, as well as 11 times on the European Tour.

Mickelson is second to Tiger Woods when it comes to earnings, having won over $96 million in prize money.

He won a staggering $9 million in “The Match: Tiger vs. Phil”, a pay-per-view event held at the Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The reported $200 million bonus he received for joining the LIV Tour has made him the third richest golfer ever.

Although Mickleson’s current net worth hasn’t been confirmed, he is just one of a handful of athletes in the history of sport to have established pre-tax career earnings of more than $1 billion.

He also offered some insight into his personal wealth after a Twitter spat with a fan in June 2023, who commented on Mickelson’s well-documented struggles with gambling. He wrote, “Haven’t gambled in years. Almost a billionaire now. Thanks for asking.”.

2. Arnold Palmer – $1 Billion

The King, Arnold Palmer, is one of the most iconic golfers in history and is widely regarded as the first superstar of the sport.

In the 1960s, the “Big Three” of Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player helped turn the sport into what it is today, paving the way for the huge prize money and commercial deals that modern players enjoy.

Palmer won 62 PGA Tour titles with seven majors. He just missed out on completing a career grand slam, as he finished runner-up in the PGA Championship three times.

In total, he amassed just $3.6 million in prize money from the PGA Tour, but earned the majority of his fortune through sponsorships, licensing, appearances, and the Arnold Palmer Design Company.

He has continued to earn an amazing amount since he died in 2016, with Forbes estimating his estate earned $40 million in 2017 alone.

1. Tiger Woods – $1.1 Billion

There are no prizes for guessing that the number one richest golfer in the world is Tiger Woods.

Regarded by many as the greatest player ever, he’s had 110 wins in his career and has spent 683 weeks as world number one. He did have something of a fall from grace, but confirmed he was back by winning the 2019 Masters.

As you might expect, he’s raked in cash from many endorsement deals, working with some huge names like Nike, with whom he struck a deal estimated to be worth an eye-watering $105 million.

On top of endorsements, Tiger is also an accomplished businessman and CEO of TGR. TGR is an enterprise that includes companies such as a restaurant and a golf course design business.

Woods reached billionaire status in 2022, despite turning down an incredible offer to join LIV Golf, which, according to LIV CEO Greg Norma, was in the “high nine digits”.

For more eye-watering net worths, check out:

• The Richest NFL Players
• The Richest Poker Players
• The Richest Snooker Players

Here, you can learn all about arb betting, what it is, how it works, whether it’s legal or not, and the risks involved.

What Is Arbitrage Betting?

Arbing is where you back and lay the same outcome on a sports event, exploiting any mathematical differences in the odds available. The margin between these is called an ‘arb’.

If done correctly, arbitrage betting guarantees you a profit regardless of whether the back or lay wager wins.

When arbitrage betting, the back wager must be at higher odds than the lay.

You don’t even have to be knowledgeable about sports in order to become a successful arber. It’s all about finding opportunities.

The wager where you back a sporting outcome should be placed via a regular fixed-odds bookmaker, either online through sportsbooks or offline at retail outlets.

When putting on the lay bet while arbing, however, you can only make this via a sports betting exchange.

How Arbitrage Betting Works

We’ve included some practical examples of arbitrage betting to help illustrate how it works.

In a hypothetical horse race in the UK, Red Rum is the 9/4 (3.25 in decimal odds) favorite with the bookmakers to win. That works out as ￡9 in profit for every ￡4 gambled.

On the exchanges, meanwhile, this horse can be laid at 15/8 (2.88), which means ￡15 profit for every ￡8 wagered.

You will probably have to pay commission on the lay wager when arbing. This is typically 2%, so also factor this into your calculations.

Backing Red Rum when betting ￡100 through a fixed odds bookmaker then requires a lay stake of ￡113.64.

Your exchange betting balance will need to be ￡213.64, to cover paying out to whoever matches you in the event he wins the race.

An arbing calculator helps you figure out how much you need to bet in order to guarantee profit. These are readily available online.

Should the back bet win, you make ￡225 of profit on that, minus the ￡213.64 of losses from the exchanges.

If the lay wager is successful, then there is ￡227.28 in winnings, with the 2% commission to pay and losing fixed-odds bookmaker bet to deduct.

Either way, you make ￡11.36 of profit whether Red Rum wins the race or not. It’s all thanks to arbitrage betting done properly.

That isn’t a massive margin on its own, but, if done several times a day, what you stand to gain soon adds up.

Another Arb Betting Example

Let’s now look at a football example of arbitrage betting. New England Patriots are at Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL.

You back the Patriots at +175 for the win on the road with the bookmaker, staking $50. For every $4 bet, you receive $7 in profit.

At the same time, you can lay New England to lose at Tampa Bay at +163 on the exchanges. For every $8 gambled, there are $13 in winnings if successful.

Again, with 2% commission to pay on your exchange wager, a lay stake of $52.68, making sure your balance is $85.87 to cover the loss, would be enough to guarantee $1.63 in profit either way through arb betting.

Just remember, you must subtract the losing wager – either the back or lay part of arbing – from your winnings.

If the back bet is successful, there is also commission costs to pay, as well as settling the losing exchange wager with whoever matched your bet.

Arbing Is Legal But Risky

There are no laws against arbitrage betting, so you can’t be prosecuted for doing it.

However, be aware that bookmakers do not take kindly to arb bettors.

This is because you are profiting from a pastime that is supposed to incur losses.

Any bettor who wins often, through fixed-odds wagers and/or sports exchange betting, has their gambling activities monitored by the bookmaker. If you’re caught arbing, then there will be consequences.

It’s important that you are aware of the risks involved.

Bettors can have their accounts with bookmakers restricted, such as limited maximum stakes, or even closed.

Arbitrage betting may even lead to you being blacklisted, so you can never bet on some sportsbooks again.

For some experienced bettors, the irony of bookies being upset by arbing isn’t lost on them. Successful gambling is all about placing wagers when the odds are in your favor.

Bookmakers and their traders are usually pretty good and sharp at shutting down value, especially when reacting to market support for certain outcomes.

Avoiding detection and being exposed as an arber is part of the process, so we’ve got some tips later on that can help you with your arbitrage betting.

Popular Arbitrage Betting Events

Arbing is something you can do on any sport of your choice, but be warned.

The more niche or obscure the event that you back and lay outcomes on, then the more it will stand out to the bookmaker.

It makes more sense, then, if you keep arbitrage betting to popular gambling sports, such as soccer and horse racing.

These two sports in particular attract huge volumes of bets worldwide.

With soccer, there are so many different markets offered by fixed-odds sportsbooks, that traders may find it challenging to keep on top of the odds.

On the downside, the margins of guaranteed profit through arbitrage betting are pretty small here. This is because in many markets, there are only two or three possible outcomes.

Arbitrage betting is associated with horse racing more than any other sport, because of the multiple runners in races leading to a much wider variety of potential results.

Price fluctuations of the odds for horses is also a lot more common.

That naturally lends itself to arbing, especially if there are significant market moves that happen in the build-up to a race.

In order to help spot opportunities for arbitrage betting, there is software available to assist you.

Various providers have simple tools that crawl both fixed-odds sportsbooks and the betting exchanges, which identify where arbing is possible.

These are completely safe and legal to use.

Tips For Successful Arbitrage Betting

As promised, we’ve got some helpful hints and advice for any budding arbers out there.

Just follow these tips when doing arbitrage betting and you’ll beat the bookies at their own game!

1. Place Your Back Arbing Wagers In Betting Shops

Offline retail betting may not be as quick or convenient as online gambling, but placing wagers over the counter gives you a certain anonymity.

While you can’t do lay arbing in a betting shop, there is nothing stopping you from putting the back bet on in person.

It makes it much more difficult for the bookies to track you down.

A key thing to remember with arbitrage betting that uses shop arbing (or ‘sharbing’ for short) is to keep your accounts separate.

Do not link your online accounts to retail.

If you link them, it’s much easier for bookmakers to see what you’re up to.

2. Avoid Large Stakes – They Look Suspicious

Arb betting can involve significant sums of money, both across the back and lay wagers, in order to make decent margins.

The trouble with that is, the bigger your stakes are, the more they will stand out to the bookies, especially if you normally bet on a smaller scale.

Everyone wants a big profit from their gambling, but with arbing, you have to tread very carefully.

Little and often can also be flagged up, yet requires more investigation from bookmakers.

If you find an arbitrage betting opportunity on a major event like a soccer cup final or Group/Grade 1 horse race, where the volume of wagers will be high, that may be a better place to take a bigger punt than usual.

3. Use Multiple Betting Accounts

If you always bet with the same bookmaker, then it won’t be difficult for them to see if you’ve been arbing or not.

Staying loyal to the same sportsbook only gives you access to a small portion of the market.

Arbitrage betting is about getting best odds possible for the back bet, so to do that you may need to wager with other sportsbooks.

Holding multiple accounts across different firms will make it even tougher for your bookmakers to know whether you are arb betting.

Like betting in person over the counter, this helps to obscure your activities.

4. Look Like A Mug Punter

One sure-fire way to cover your tracks from any arbing is to place mug bets.

That means deliberately lose some of the profits you’ve made through arbitrage betting.

Back your favorite soccer team or short-price favorites in horse races as an accumulator.

Make these losses discreet and subtle, so that you aren’t throwing too much away and bookmakers never suspect what you’re really up to.

The idea is to look like a mug – a na?ve, inexperienced bettor reinvesting some of your winnings on wagers that don’t pay off.

When the bookies come to profile you, these losses will show up and confuse the situation. That way, your arb betting may go on for much longer undetected.

Final Thoughts On Arbitrage Betting

Arbitrage betting is a win-win situation for bettors until you’re rumbled by bookmakers.

You may then face sanctions, including account closure, so you must be prepared for the consequences of discovery.

The key to successful arbitrage betting is locating margins between backing and laying the same outcome in a sports event.

It’s completely legal to do so, but annoys the bookies.

Software can help you with arbitrage betting and, although the margins may be modest, the lure of guaranteed profits is very attractive.

For more helpful guides, check out our post on prop betting.

Sportsbooks now offer an octopus prop bet in games. This could be a general “yes or no” prop bet on any octopus scored in a game, or an individual prop bet on whether a specific player will tally an octopus in a game.

How Common Is An Octopus In Football?

An octopus has occurred 188 times since the NFL implemented the two-point conversion in 1994, or approximately 6.2 times per season. An octopus is expected to occur approximately 2.25% of the time.

• During the first year of the rule change in 1994, coaches embraced the two-point conversion and an octopus was recorded 13 times in the initial season.
• In 1995, the novelty wore off and only 5 octopi were recorded.
• Since 1994, there has been at least 1 octopus scored in every season.
• In 2001, only 1 octopus was recorded. Qadry Ismail, a wide receiver from the Baltimore Ravens, tallied the lone octopus during Week 6 of the 2001 season.
• Between 1994 and 2014, an octopus occurred 5 times per season. Extra points were nearly automatic with a 99.3% success rate by kickers prior to 2015.
• Then, in 2015, the NFL moved back the spot of an extra point kick by 13 yards, which was previously at the two-yard line. With a longer extra point, the success rate dipped to 94.2%, which altered the strategy for two-point conversions. If a team missed an extra point earlier in the game, the head coach opted for a two-point conversion later in the game. As a result, the frequency of an octopus jumped to 88 instances since 2015, or 9.7 octopi per season.
• In 2018, the NFL set a record when an octopus occurred 15 times in the same season.
• In the 2023 NFL season, an octopus was recorded 11 times.

How To Make An Octopus Bet

Sportsbooks adopted the universal odds for an octopus bet as follows:

• Yes for any player to score an octopus +1400
• No for no players to score an octopus -2500

For this prop bet, a $100 wager on any octopus paid out $1400. A prop bet for an unsuccessful octopus was set as a huge favorite at -2500 odds, which meant a bettor had to lay $2500 for a chance to win $100.

If there is significant action wagered on an octopus, a sportsbook will adjust the odds, which tends to occur in the Super Bowl.

An octopus bet could be found in the prop bets section for an individual game. Depending on the sportsbook, they will list a general yes/no prop bet: “Will any player score an octopus?”

Some NFL sportsbooks might offer an individual player prop bet, listing a specific player to score an octopus. Depending on the sportsbook, you might have to click on a specific player’s name to find out if they’re offering any action on an octopus.

Expert Tips For Octopus Bets

As mentioned, a two-point conversion begins with the ball on the two-yard line, and a team is awarded two points if they can cross the goal line. Most defenses set up their goal-line defense to stop a short yardage play like a running play. Offensive coordinators often call passing plays to deceive the defense.

Out of 188 octopi, a player scored a two-point conversion with a reception 121 times and only rushed 61 times. Wide receivers tend to score an octopus with more frequency over running backs.

Octopus bettors seek out lopsided matchups with a team’s best wide receiver against an opponent’s subpar secondary, or superior running back against an opponent with a porous run defense.

Versatile running backs can score on a run or pass. The current NFL is a pass-happy league, so it’s not a surprise to see running backs utilized more as a pass catcher in modern offenses.

If you’re looking to make an octopus wager, keep a close eye on running backs who are an integral component to their team’s passing attack. In the 2023 season, Breece Hall from the New York Jets led the NFL with 76 receptions, followed by Alvin Kamara (75) and Christian McCaffrey (67).

Seven different quarterbacks scored an octopus with a rushing touchdown followed by a two-point conversion. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is the only quarterback to do it twice.

Super Bowl Octopus Bets

Caesars Palace in Las Vegas became the first sportsbook to offer an octopus as a prop bet during Super Bowl LIV.

Since the adoption of the octopus terminology in 2019, Jalen Hurts is the only player in Super Bowl history to have recorded an octopus.

Hurts’ octopus occurred during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LVII. The Eagles trailed the Kansas City Chiefs by eight points. Hurts scored a two-yard rushing touchdown when the Eagles ran the Tush Push. On the ensuing two-point conversion, Hurts scampered into the end zone to tie the game which marked the first octopus in Super Bowl history.

Taylor Swift’s Impact On Super Bowl Octopus Bets

Pop star Taylor Swift began dating Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce at the start of the 2023 NFL season. The initial rumors caused quite a stir on social media when Swift appeared at her first game in September to watch her new beau in person.

Swifties, Swift’s legion of fervent supporters, became instant fans of Kelce and the Chiefs. Fathers were faced with an unusual phenomenon when their daughters showed a sudden interest in football. As the season progressed, more women became interested in the NFL.

During the regular season, Kelce saw an uptick in prop bets across the board including touchdowns. His spike in popularity carried over into the postseason and oddsmakers adjusted their odds to incorporate the Taylor Swift Effect for Super Bowl LVIII.

Kelce scored five two-point conversions during his career, but he had never scored an octopus. Despite those stats, Kelce was a popular pick to score an octopus in Super Bowl LVIII at +3000 odds. Although I’m not a Swifite, I jumped on the Kelce bandwagon with an octopus bet.

After Hurts tallied the first octopus in the previous Super Bowl, an octopus prop bet was more popular than ever entering Super Bowl LVIII, which affected the odds. A successful octopus prop bet at DraftKings would’ve paid out +1100 odds, and an unsuccessful octopus was an overwhelming favorite at -6000 odds.

The Chiefs edged out the 49ers, 25-22 in overtime, to win back-to-back championship. Kelce caught nine passes for 93 yards, but did not score a touchdown, so he was ineligible for any octopus prop bets. As expected, there was not an octopus scored in Super Bowl LVIII.

Who Has The Most Octopi In Football?

Running back Todd Gurley holds the all-time NFL record with four octopi, which he recorded as a member of the Los Angeles Rams.

Gurley was the first player to record an octopus twice in the same game. In Week 2 of the 2018 season, the Rams lost their kicker to an injury at the start of a game. Without a kicker, the Rams were forced to utilize the two-point conversion after a touchdown and Gurley happily obliged.

Gurley scored three octopi in the 2018 season to tie Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss for the NFL record. Gurley broke the record in 2019 with his fourth octopus.

Why Do They Call It An Octopus In Football?

The octopus was coined by sportswriter Mitch Goldich in March 2019. He mentioned an octopus in one of his columns for Sports Illustrated to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the NFL’s adoption of a two-point conversion. The catchy moniker stuck, and the octopus is now a part of the NFL lexicon.

The origins occurred a year earlier in October 2018. Wide receiver Torrey Smith from the Carolina Panthers caught a touchdown pass from Cam Newton, then added a successful two-point conversion on another pass from Newton. Smith tallied eight points, which caught the eye of Goldich.

Goldich asked his followers on social media, “There should be a cool name for what Torrey Smith just did: Scoring a TD and then also scoring the 2-point conversion right afterward. What should we call this?”

Goldich’s friend Mike Wallace suggested “Octopus” because an octopus has eight tentacles. It made sense, and the rest is history.

Octopus Stats & Facts

• The first octopus was recorded in Week 2 of the 1994 NFL season. New York Jets wide receiver Rob Moore and New Orleans Saints wide receiver Torrence Small both scored an octopus on the same day.
• In 1996, Moore and Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Terance Mathis became the first players to record a second octopus in their careers, which also happened on the same day in Week 4 of the 1996 season.
• Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis became the first player to score an octopus in the playoffs during the 1996 season.
• Running back Ryan Mathews from the Philadelphia Eagles became the first player to secure an octopus two times in the same season. In 2016, Mathews recorded an octopus in Week 10 and did it again in Week 15.
• There’s a popular Twitter account known as the NFL Octopus Tracker that updates fans on any Octopus attempt.

For something similar, check out our guide on round robin betting.

Keep reading to discover the other highest-paid mascots, and what it takes to make it as the person behind the suit.

The Highest-Paid NFL Mascots

Rowdy (Dallas Cowboys) – $65,000 annual salary

Being the mascot of “America’s Team” comes with lots of perks. You get to perform in front of 80,000 people at every home game, you get to take part in lots of community events, and you get paid the joint most of any mascot in the NFL.

Rowdy’s $65,000 annual salary works out to $50/hour, which can’t be beaten by any other mascot in the league.

Fun facts: Rowdy has 73K followers on Instagram and was named “Most Hated NFL Mascot” by Sports Illustrated in 2015.

Pat Patriot (New England Patriots) – $65,000 annual salary

The joint highest NFL mascot salary is Pat Patriot of the New England Patriots, who also earns $65,000 per year ($50/hour). Pat has become one of the most recognizable NFL mascots in the modern era, thanks to his appearances at eleven Super Bowls over the last 25 years.

Pat can usually be found at Gillette Stadium for Patriots home games, where he entertains the crowd, signs autographs, and poses for pictures.

Fun facts: Pat was created by cartoonist Phil Bissell in 1960 and was originally based on an American Revolutionary soldier.

Average NFL Mascot Salary

The average NFL mascot salary is $60,000 per year, or $45/hour. Only Rowdy and Pat Patriot earn more than this, and their additional salary is probably down to the scale of their respective franchises. The Cowboys and Patriots are two of the most famous teams in the league, and their mascots have been a recognizable part of the game-day experience for decades.

Here’s a list of some reported NFL mascot salaries for the 2023 season:

Extra Appearances

Like NFL players and cheerleaders, mascots are required to do lots of extra work, separate to what is seen on game day. For example, Sourdough Sam, the mascot of the San Francisco 49ers, attends youth camps and schools where he spreads messages about the importance of healthy eating and exercise.

These extra responsibilities would be part of the mascot’s contract with the franchise, and each would vary slightly. However, for additional events, there are likely bonus earnings available for mascots.

For example, it’s possible to book Sourdough Sam for private, corporate events which would cost $1,050 for just two hours, with the performer taking a healthy hourly wage for the appearance.

Most Popular NFL Mascots

Rowdy and Pat Patriot are the highest-paid mascots in the NFL, but it doesn’t mean they are the most popular. Since 2016, there has been an NFL Mascot of the Year award and Blue, the mascot of the Indianapolis Colts, has won it a record three times.

In 2023, Blue also won Social Media of the Year and Anchor in the Community, showing his presence both online and in the Indianapolis area. Blue also boasts a massive 254K followers on Instagram, which is more than any other NFL mascot.

Other NFL mascots with a big following on Instagram include Blitz the Sea Hawk (104K) mascot of the Seattle Sea Hawks, and Toro (184K), mascot of the Houston Texans. Clearly, though, online popularity, reach, and awards don’t necessarily equate to higher pay for NFL mascots. Despite having hundreds of thousands of followers collectively, Blue and Blitz both earn $15,000 less than Rowdy and Pat.

Challenges Of Being An NFL Mascot

Being an NFL mascot isn’t just fun and games, so before you consider applying for the next vacancy in the league, you might want to consider some of the downsides. Here are some of the big challenges NFL mascots have to overcome:

Extreme Weather

Across the 32 NFL teams, mascots have to deal with some extreme weather. Whether it’s running around the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami in 70-degree heat, or risking catching frostbite in -13 at Lambeau Field, dealing with extreme weather would be a genuine headache for many NFL mascots.

Hard Work

Throwing on an oversized costume and dancing in front of thousands of people might seem easy, but to be an NFL mascot, you have to be seriously committed. Mascot responsibilities don’t start and end when the game does; a lot of preparation and performances away from the stadium are required. The Colts mascot, Blue, reportedly makes up to 300 performances each year and plans all his own skits.

Delivering Every Time

Being a mascot is a performance role, and every time an NFL mascot puts on their costume, they have to give it 100%. And we’re not just talking about NFL games. The same energy and enthusiasm are needed at every school, charity, and corporate event the mascot attends.

Mascots also deal with a lot of drunk fans who may overstep the mark. Every now and then, things don’t go to plan.

Anonymity

In general, mascot identities are kept private to protect the performer and to help maintain the magic of the character. So, keeping your job a secret, especially if you’ve been doing it for several years, would be a challenge.

How Many NFL Teams Do Not Have A Mascot?

Four current NFL franchises don’t have a mascot. They are:

• Green Bay Packers
• New York Jets
• New York Giants
• Los Angeles Chargers

The exact reason for these teams deciding against having mascots varies, but often the team name, history, and branding just aren’t a good fit. For example, Green Bay’s name comes from the Acme Meat Packing Company, which produced canned meat, so it doesn’t exactly lend itself to an inspirational or cute mascot. Maybe the New York Jets could consider creating a mascot based on a fighter jet. Or maybe not.

Not having a mascot isn’t always due to a lack of trying, though. For example, in the 1980s, the Packers tried and failed to introduce “Packy Packer”, who was just a man who carried sausages (we’re not joking)! Some things are just best left alone…

Summary – NFL Mascots Pay Dwarfed By NBA

There are pros and cons to being an NFL mascot. They are paid a decent salary, and get up close and personal with the action on the field and their adoring fans. If you’re a performer, an NFL mascot gig might seem appealing, but don’t start searching for vacancies just yet.

The highest-paid NBA mascots can earn almost ten times that of their NFL colleagues, and they don’t have to deal with the weather!

For more articles on the NFL, check out The 10 Oldest NFL Teams, Top 10 Richest NFL Players Ever, and 5 Best Moments In NFL Playoff History.

Here, we break down the differences in basketball game structure between the collegiate and professional levels. So, how many quarters are in a basketball game? And how long do they last?

How Many Periods In An NBA Basketball Game?

The NBA’s 48 minute games are broken down into four 12-minute quarters. Each quarter is separated by a two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half minute break. The halftime break is much longer, lasting 15 minutes. 

Although NBA games have been like this for a long time, they were not always designed this way. 

When the league was founded in 1946 as the Basketball Association of America, matches were made up of two 20-minute halves. In 1951, this was changed to four 10-minute quarters. 

Three years later, the format was changed again to four 12-minute quarters. It has stayed this way ever since. 

The NBA is famous for the wear and tear players experience over the busy season. Because of this, there has been a lot of discussion about whether 48-minute games are too long. 

The league did experiment with a 44-minute game during the 2014 preseason, but the format didn’t stick. At the time, many coaches said shortening the season, instead of games, was the only way to reduce wear and tear.

How Many Quarters In WNBA Basketball?

WNBA games are broken down into four 10-minute quarters.

Just like the NBA, the WNBA began with games played over two 20-minute halves. This was the case from the league’s founding in 1996 up until 2006, when it was decided to change games to a four quarter format. 

Since this time, there have been four quarters, each 10 minutes long. There is a 15-minute break at halftime.

The main benefit of changing from halves to quarters is that the team foul count is reset every 10 minutes. In the WNBA, this meant games sped up and that less scoring came from the free throw line.

Overall, this made WNBA games more exciting to watch. 

How Many Periods In NCAA Men’s Basketball?

NCAA Men’s games are broken down into two 20-minute halves.

Basketball was invented by a man called James Naismith. In his original rule book from 1891, Naismith wrote that basketball games should be made up of two 15-minute halves with a five minute rest in between. 

In 1905, this was upped to two 20-minute halves along with a 15-minute break for halftime. 

The NCAA experimented with adopting the popular four period structure in the 1951-52 season, but this didn’t last. The NCAA reverted back to the original two 20-minute halves for the 1954-55 season, and this has been the format for NCAA Men’s basketball ever since.

There’s one main benefit to playing halves instead of quarters. Long halves are thought to give the game a steady pace and flow. This means games between teams are closer and more exciting. 

Changing the format now would cause some problems. The biggest being it would reduce the number of TV timeouts that occur during a match. 

With the current format, there are four media timeouts per half. The four quarter system only allows three to be taken over two quarters. This would see the NCAA Men’s advertisement revenue decrease. It may even make it harder for the NCAA to strike media deals with television networks. 

How Many Periods In NCAA Women’s Basketball?

NCAA Women’s games are made up of four 10-minute quarters. This has been the case since the 2015-2016 season. Before this time, women’s NCAA games mirrored the men’s by having two 20-minute halves. 

Now, with four 10-minute quarters, the NCAA Women’s game follows the same structure as the WNBA, with halftime also lasting 15 minutes. 

As with the WNBA, these changes were made with the goal of making the games better to watch.

Brad Duckworth, the NCAA Women’s basketball rules committee chairman, explained this to The New York Times: “In all honesty, that was a major piece of our conversation in Indianapolis during rule changes last year: How do we have our game have more flow and be more presentable?”

These changes seem to be working. In 2023, around 10 million people tuned in to watch the NCAA final between LSU and Iowa. That’s nearly 7 million more than the 2013 championship game. 

How Long Are Basketball Games?

One of the reasons basketball games in the NBA and NCAA have a different number of periods is because NBA games are longer than NCAA games. 

Since 1954, NBA games have lasted for a total of 48 minutes. On the other hand, NCAA Men’s games only last 40 minutes. WNBA and NCAA Women’s games are also 40 minutes long.

Overtime

The NBA, WNBA, NCAA Men’s, and NCAA Women’s games all follow the same procedure if the teams are tied at the end of regulation: a five minute overtime period. 

If the scores are tied at the end of the overtime period, another five minute overtime is played. This pattern repeats until there is a winner. 

For more on the NBA, check out our articles on The Average NBA Player Height, The Players With The Most NBA Rings and WNBA vs NBA.

Lead image credit: Wikipedia Commons

If you’re a soccer fan, it’s important to understand relegation, as it greatly impacts the tactics, pressure, and emotion associated with games at the bottom end of the table, especially towards the end of a season.

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about relegation and promotion in soccer.

What Is Relegation In Soccer?

Relegation in soccer is a system where the teams that finish in the bottom positions of a league at the end of the season are moved down (or relegated) to a lower league.?

All of the “Big Five” European football leagues (Premier League – England, Bundesliga – Germany, La Liga – Spain, Serie A – Italy, and Ligue 1 – France) follow this system.

How Does Relegation In Soccer Work?

Each league has slightly different rules, depending on the amount of teams in the league and the overall structure of the pyramid in that country.

In the Premier League and Serie A, the bottom three teams are relegated after all the matches are played.

For instance, there are 20 teams that compete throughout the season in the Premier League. If at the end of a season, Leeds United, Crystal Palace, and Brentford finished in the 18th, 19th, and 20th positions respectively, they would be relegated to the Championship for the next season. Conversely, the top three teams from the Championship would be promoted to the Premier League to replace them.

In Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga, just the bottom two teams are automatically relegated, and the team that finishes third from bottom plays in a ‘relegation playoff’ against a team who wins the ‘promotion playoff’ in the league below.

League position is dictated by the number of points a team accumulates across a season. All major soccer leagues and competitions apply the following point system: three points for a win, one for a draw, and zero for a loss.

What Is Promotion In Soccer?

Promotion is the opposite of relegation in soccer. A set number of teams that finish in ‘promotion positions’ either get automatically promoted to the league above or enter into a playoff to try and achieve the feat.

In the English Championship (second division after the Premier League), clubs that finish the season in the top two positions are automatically promoted, and the clubs that finish in positions three to six enter the playoffs.

Clubs that are already in the top league of a respective country can’t win promotion. Instead, they compete to be the overall champion of their league and country, and usually for the right to play in continental competitions, like the Champions League in Europe, or the Copa Libertadores in South America.

In theory, any club that is a member of the soccer association in a respective country can work its way up the pyramid with promotion, competing in higher levels of competition with more prize money and rewards attached.

This is exactly what Hollywood superstars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney will be hoping for as owners of the Welsh football club, Wrexham A.F.C, which competes in the English football league system.

The pair completed a deal to buy the club in February 2021, and at that time the team was competing in the National League, the fifth tier of English soccer. Thanks to investment from their new owners, the club was promoted as champions of the 2022–23 National League and now plays in EFL League Two, the fourth and lowest tier of fully professional football in England.

Why Does Promotion And Relegation Happen In Soccer?

The ‘open’ system of promotion and relegation is mainly a European phenomenon in professional sports. It is not exclusive to soccer, though, and many other sports like basketball, rugby, and even eSports use the model.

Unlike the ‘closed’ franchise model for professional sport in the US, when European soccer leagues were being developed in the 20th century, promotion and relegation was seen as a way to create competitive balance and for a club’s position or prize money to be based on merit.

There are pros and cons to both franchise and promotion/relegation models. Many critics of the franchise system would argue that the worst-performing teams in the NFL, for example, have nothing to play for at the end of a season, and may even purposely underperform to try and gain a favorable draft pick in the following season.

However, in soccer leagues with promotion and relegation, the financial implications of relegation can cause massive disruption and long-term damage to a club that can have wide-reaching implications.

Portsmouth FC went from FA Cup winners and Premier League regulars in the 2000s, to financial trouble and three relegations in 2010, 2012, and 2013, falling to the fourth tier of English football for the first time since 1980.

The Impact Of Promotion And Relegation In Soccer

The Premier League is financially the biggest soccer league in the world and where the impact of promotion and relegation is felt most keenly. It provides the biggest benefits to promoted clubs and can be devastating to relegated ones.

According to expert Ben Peppi, head of sports services at JMW Solicitors, a football club that has been relegated from the Premier League to the Championship will see an ￡85-100 million ($103-121 million) loss in revenue, year on year.

Relegated clubs primarily try to balance the books by selling star players, but this doesn’t come without risk. Leicester City sold England Internationals James Maddison and Harvey Barnes for a combined total of around $90 million following their relegation from the Premier League in 2023.

While this plugs a significant financial hole, these players still need to be replaced, and even if the club achieves promotion in the next season or two, the squad will most likely be weaker than when it was relegated. This makes it harder for the club to reestablish itself in the Premier League.

In England in particular, many clubs struggle to deal with the financial burdens of relegation, and not every team has players that can command elevated transfer fees. As a result, several English football clubs entered administration or had other significant financial troubles following relegation.

How To Survive Relegation In Soccer

To help combat the financial burden of relegation, the Premier League introduced “parachute” payments that mean relegated clubs receive 55% of the per club Premier League basic TV money in the first year, 45% in year two, and 20% in year three if the club was in the Premier League for more than one season before relegation. This helps lower the risk of a club going into administration due to the high cost base (mainly player wages) they incurred in the Premier League.

Famous Soccer Relegations And Promotions

1. FC Kaiserslautern

German club FC Kaiserslautern made history in the late 90s when they became the only team in German football history to win the 2. Bundesliga (German second division) and Bundesliga in consecutive years.

The team was relegated from the Bundesliga in 1996 but bounced back and in the following season (1996–97) won the 2. Bundesliga title, and reclaimed their place in Germany’s elite soccer league. Remarkably they followed up their 2. Bundesliga title by winning the Bundesliga and claiming the German football championship, beating the imperious Bayern Munich by 2 points.

2. Leicester City

Leicester City had spent 9 seasons outside the English Premier League when they were promoted as winners of the 2013–14 Championship. Fans were optimistic about reestablishing themselves as a Premier League club, but none of them could have expected what happened next.

On the 3rd of April, they were seven points adrift from safety and time was running out on the Foxes. They needed a huge change in fortunes and the team delivered. They won seven out of their last nine games and eventually finished in 14th position.

When the 2015-16 season rolled around, many fans and pundits expected Leicester to be in a relegation battle once again, but things couldn’t have gone better for the club. Leicester went on to beat 5000-1 odds and claim the Premier League title under the management of Italian Claudio Ranieri, going down in sporting folklore.

3. Deportivo de La Coru?a       

Spanish soccer team Deportivo de La Coru?a has the unbelievable record of being promoted or relegated for seven consecutive seasons during the 1960s. The club yo-yoed between the Segunda División and La Liga every year from 1962 to 1968, which led to the nickname “elevator team”.

There were even more promotions and relegations in the years that followed, before the club eventually spent 15 years outside the Spanish top flight, incurring huge financial and infrastructural debt.

Soccer Relegation Conclusion

In summary, promotions and relegations in soccer represent the highest of highs and the lowest of lows for clubs across the globe. This high-stakes drama summarizes soccer as a sport, and avoiding relegation means the world to fans and players alike.

So, before you skip past Luton Town vs Sheffield United, remember that this game could be the deciding factor in a promotion or relegation, and all the drama that goes with it.

For more soccer guides, check out Soccer Positions Explained or the Best Soccer Teams Of All Time.

Lead Image Credit: Moazzam Brohi/Flickr, CC BY 2.0

10. Sofia Huerta – $1.3 million

• Total Earnings – $1.3 million
• Off-Field Earnings – $500,000
• On-Field Earnings – $800,000

The 10th best-paid female soccer player is Sofia Huerta. Born in Boise, Idaho, Huerta has Mexican heritage through her father and played five times for the Mexican Women’s National Team before changing affiliation to the United States in 2017.

Through her contracts with Seattle Reign and the US Women’s National Team, Sofia Huerta earned $800,000 on-field, and off-field, she added a further $500,000 through sponsorships and endorsements.

9. Rose Lavelle – $1.4 million

• Total Earnings – $1.4 million
• Off-Field Earnings – $600,000
• On-Field Earnings – $800,000

Next on our list is another USWNT regular and National Women’s Soccer League star, Rose Lavelle, who earned a total of $1.4 million last year.

In a career that has seen her play for seven different clubs, Lavelle has established herself as a crucial member of the US squad, appearing at two world cups and the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Lavelle tops up her on-field earnings with several endorsements, including the beer brand FLIGHT.

8. Lindsey Horan – $1.5 million

• Total Earnings – $1.5 million
• Off-Field Earnings – $600,000
• On-Field Earnings – $900,000

Midfielder Lindsey Horan sits at number eight on our list, with an annual salary of $1.5 million. She plays club soccer for Olympique Lyon in France, the most successful team in UEFA Women’s Champions League history.

Horan has the highest reported on-field salary of any female player in the world at $900,000, and added $600,000 through off-field endorsements in 2023.

5 (tie). Sophia Smith – $2 million

• Total Earnings – $2 million
• Off-Field Earnings – $1.2 million
• On-Field Earnings – $800,000

After being drafted as the number one pick at the 2020 NWSL College Draft, Sophia Smith has become one of the superstars of the league and a regular for the USWNT.

In 2022, she won the NWSL championship with the Portland Thorns and was voted as league MVP. She backs up her on-field performance with commercial deals, too.

Her 326k followers on Instagram give her a strong social media presence, and she has endorsements with several companies including Nike and Chipotle.

5 (tie). Julie Ertz – $2 million

• Total Earnings – $2 million
• Off-Field Earnings – $1.3 million
• On-Field Earnings – $700,000

Next up is Julie Ertz, who played for the Chicago Red Stars, Angel City FC, and the United States before retiring in August 2023.

In total, the Arizona native managed 123 appearances and 20 goals for the US. She’s also won two World Cups and was named the US Soccer Female Player of the Year in 2015.

In the final year of her career, Ertz earned a salary of $700,000 a year for Angel City and had several lucrative off-field contracts that were worth $1.3 million.

5 (tie). Crystal Dunn – $2 million

• Total Earnings – $2 million
• Off-Field Earnings – $1.3 million
• On-Field Earnings – $700,000

A former winner of the Hermann Trophy in her college career, Crystal Dunn has been an ever-present in the USWNT setup for over a decade.

Now playing her club football at NJ/NY Gotham FC, during the 2023 NWSL the versatile player had an on-field salary of $700,000 and several lucrative sponsors off-field, including Mastercard and Therabody.

4. Trinity Rodman – $2.3 million

• Total Earnings – $2.3 million
• Off-Field Earnings – $1.5 million
• On-Field Earnings – $800,000

Trinity Rodman is one of the most exciting, young attacking talents in the world of women’s soccer and despite her tender age, she already has a significant amount of domestic and international experience.

She was the youngest player ever to be drafted in the NWSL at just 18, and at 21 she already has 34 appearances for the United States senior team.

Her on-field earnings are almost doubled by off-field though, and the fact she’s the daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman will only enhance her fame and commercial earning potential. In 2023, she had several long-term brand partnerships, most notably with Adidas.

3. Alexia Putellas – $4 million

• Total Earnings – $4 million
• Off-Field Earnings – $3.2 million
• On-Field Earnings – $800,000

Barcelona and Spain captain Alexia Putellas is the third-highest-paid female soccer player and the only non-American player on our list.

This American dominance shows the commercial power American players have in female soccer and the level of stardom achieved by Putellas.

A two-time Ballon d’Or Féminin winner, Putellas has similar on-field earnings to her American counterparts, however her off-field earnings amounted to a giant $3.2 million in 2023.

This is partly helped by her 2.8 million Instagram followers, making her one of the world’s most commercially influential female soccer players.

2. Megan Rapinoe – $7 million

• Total Earnings – $7 million
• Off-Field Earnings – $6.3 million
• On-Field Earnings – $700,000

Another player on our list who retired in 2023, Megan Rapinoe was one of the best-known and recognizable soccer players in the world.

The US international played 203 times for her country, scoring 63 goals and winning two World Cups. Her final club team was OL Reign, who she played with for 10 years.

She won both the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball at the 2019 Women’s World Cup and her on-field success was matched by huge achievements off it. In 2022, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her activism around pay equality, racial justice, and LGBT+ rights.

She also had a long list of commercial endorsements with global brands including Nike, Samsung, Google and Subway, which helped her achieve $6.3 million off-field earnings.

1. Alex Morgan – $7.1 million

• Total Earnings – $7.1 million
• Off-Field Earnings – $6.3 million
• On-Field Earnings – $800,000

The highest-paid, and most recognizable female soccer player in the world is Alex Morgan, who earned a massive $7.1 million last year alone.

A key member of the US national team for over a decade, Morgan has won the World Cup twice, being chosen as a member of the Dream Team on both occasions.

Morgan is a global star; she was the first woman to feature on the cover of the FIFA video game in 2015, alongside Lionel Messi, and was named on Time’s 100 Most Influential People list twice.

In 2023, she earned an on-pitch salary of $800,000 through contracts with San Diego Wave and the USWNT, but this was dwarfed by her off-field earnings of $6.3 million.

Throughout her career, Alex Morgan has signed a long list of commercial deals with companies including McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, and Bank of America, and appeared in several major magazines including Sports Illustrated, Elle, and Vogue.

Women’s Soccer Pay vs Men’s

While women’s soccer is growing in popularity, there is still a huge disparity between the salaries of top male and female players. For example, Cristiano Ronaldo, the highest-paid male player, earned $260 million in total in 2023, more than 37x what Alex Morgan made.

There are several reasons for this. Comparing the commercial reality of men’s and women’s club soccer, in particular, helps explain why.

Soccer is a traditionally male-dominated sport and the long-established history of the male game means fans, broadcasters, and sponsors are willing to pay much more money to access the product, and this is reflected in player salaries.

For context, the Women’s Super League has a current TV broadcast deal that is worth $9.8 million per year, whereas the Premier League’s equivalent brings in a staggering $2.1 billion – more than 214x as much.

Closing The Gap

Several steps are being taken particularly in the international game, to bring women’s pay closer to men’s. Many international soccer federations, including the US and England, now pay male and female teams the same salary.

World-leading male leagues and clubs are also providing financial support to help grow the women’s game. For example, the Premier League has agreed to an interest-free ￡20m loan to the Women’s Super League, but there is much more that can be done.

In 2018, the men’s World Cup winners, France, received prize money of $38 million, but the women’s winners earned just 7.5% of that ($4 million). The prize offered by FIFA, the international governing body of soccer, should be made equal for men and women.

International governing bodies should also try to address pay gaps between their men’s and women’s teams, following the lead of countries like England, the USA, and others.

Furthermore, businesses and broadcasters also have a major role to play in growing the women’s game. The bigger the platform female soccer players get, the more their profiles will grow. This in turn will increase the amount of eyes on female soccer, which will also increase revenue and player salaries.

For more rich lists, check out: Top 10 Richest Esports Players Ever/ The Top 10 Richest Soccer Players Ever / Who Are The 10 Richest Olympians Ever?

The Top 5 Highest Paid NBA Mascots

1. Rocky the Mountain Lion (Denver Nuggets): $625,000 annual salary

Rocky the Mountain Lion is the highest paid NBA mascot and one of the most recognizable across the league. His dancing, acrobatics, and all-round entertainment skills have become an eagerly anticipated part of any Denver Nuggets home game – and he gets paid accordingly. He’s even known for nailing some amazing trick shots, including this no-look bank while standing at the top of two ladders.

Fun facts: Rocky has been the Nuggets mascot since 1990, and has a tail that’s 3 feet long.

2. Harry the Hawk (Atlanta Hawks): $600,000 annual salary

Harry the Hawk can be found at every Atlanta Hawks home game, where he catches the eye with some incredible dance moves. He makes a reported $600,000 annually, the second highest salary for an NBA mascot, and over 10 times the average in the US.

Like all NBA mascots, Harry doesn’t just earn his money by entertaining fans on game day. He also appears at several Hawks’ community events every year, where he poses for photos and gives fans a day they’ll never forget.

Fun facts: Harry ‘hatched’ in 1986, and has 18k followers on Instagram.

3. Benny the Bull (Chicago Bulls): $400,000 annual salary

Benny the Bull is one of the most recognizable sports mascots ever. In 2013, Forbes Magazine named him ‘the most popular mascot in sports’. He’s had several viral moments that have secured his popularity, like the one shown below.

A few years ago, Benny took aim at musical royalty, when he performed Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” dance right in front of her husband, Jay Z. Jay didn’t look amused, but the rest of the audience was.

Fun facts: Benny features in the video game NBA Jam Tournament Edition as a secret character and was ejected from a game in 1974 for interfering with the on-court action.

4. Go the Gorilla (Phoenix Suns): $200,000 annual salary

A member of the Mascot Hall of Fame (yes, that’s actually a thing), Go the Gorilla is one of the most entertaining and original mascots in the NBA. Although he doesn’t earn anywhere near as much as the top 3 NBA mascots, Go still takes home an impressive $200,000 every year.

His creation was an accident when a fan ordered a singing telegram during a 1980 game, and the performer arrived in a Gorilla suit. He was asked to entertain fans by the security and was eventually invited to be the Suns official mascot. He’s enjoyed roaring success ever since.

Fun facts: Go the Gorilla graduated from “Hairy Truman” High School in “Mon-Key West”, Florida.

5. Hugo the Hornet (Charlotte Hornets): $100,000 annual salary

Hugo the Hornet is our fifth and final highest paid NBA mascot, taking home a reported annual salary of  $100,000. He’s known for his dunking ability, and he regularly performs dangerous, acrobatic dunks at the Spectrum Center during Hornets home games.

Hugo’s prowess as a mascot has been acknowledged through several awards, including being named a two-time NBA Best Mascot Award by NBA Inside Stuff and winning the NBA Mascot Slam Dunk Championship four times.

Fun facts: Hugo was born on November 4, 1988, and his full hornet costume was designed by Cheryl Henson, daughter of Jim Henson (creator of the Muppets).

What Is The Average NBA Mascot Salary?

Those are five seriously impressive paychecks, but how much do NBA mascots make a year on average? Unfortunately, they don’t earn anywhere near as much. An average NBA mascot salary is just $60,000 – 10x less than Rocky the Mountain Lion’s paycheck.

Like many other roles in the NBA, a mascot’s salary is partly decided by their skill level and reputation. Not every team has a mascot that’s considered an essential part of the game-day experience for fans, and this is reflected in their pay.

However, the highest-earning mascots listed above are seen as talented entertainers who bring a lot of value to fans and the franchise that they are a part of. This is why NBA mascot pay fluctuates so wildly.

Mascot Salaries vs WNBA Player Salaries

As we have discussed in this article, several NBA mascot salaries are way above what the average American earns.

What is perhaps even more surprising, is that the highest paid NBA mascots also earn considerably more than WNBA players.

In 2023, the top 10 highest earning WNBA players had an annual salary ranging from $212,000 to $242,000. This is around $400,000 less than Rocky the Mountain Lion earns, and over $10 million dollars less than the average NBA player salary.

This comparison highlights the difference in earning potential for male and female athletes, and even those working in non-playing roles in the two leagues. Although the NBA has much higher revenue than the WNBA, female players get paid a much smaller percentage of overall league revenue (around 20%, compared to 50%) and don’t enjoy the same perks as their male counterparts.

NBA mascot salaries highlight that there’s still a long way to go to achieve fair pay for elite female athletes.

Check out our article for more WNBA vs NBA facts.

The Role Of A Mascot

The primary role of an NBA mascot is to entertain the crowd when there is no action taking place on the court. Fans primarily flock to arenas around the US to enjoy the skills of the players, but while they’re taking a break, plenty of people turn their attention to mascots. NBA mascots usually entertain fans in the following ways:

• Dancing
• Dunking
• Interacting with fans through competitions, giveaways or photos
• Comedy skits (often using props)
• Trick shots

Mascots also boost team pride and fan morale, and encourage fans to support the team at crucial moments in games.

A mascot’s role extends beyond gameday, too. They are required to appear at charity and community events organized by their franchise. For example, Hugo the Hornet takes part in a school program in Charlotte, where he performs and educates children on topics like anti-bullying and test preparation.

The Perks Of Being An NBA Mascot

Aside from the considerable base salaries for NBA mascots, there are lots of other perks that come with the role. Firstly, if you are an entertainer, the opportunity to perform in front of 20,000 people every week is a huge draw. You also get the chance to be part of some pretty special moments, such as the one pictured below.

Mascots also have the satisfaction of being loved by fans, especially kids, and being able to make the NBA experience special for the people they interact with. This perk would be multiplied if the mascot is from the area, or was a fan of the team growing up.

Everyone wants to be on the court, but not everyone can be a player. Mascots get as close to the action as possible and contribute to the game-day experience, without needing player credentials.

NBA mascots also have the potential to earn money outside their base salary by appearing or performing at private events. For example, appearance fees for Sir CC, the mascot of the Cleveland Cavaliers, start at $300 per hour.

Summary

As we have detailed in this article, being an NBA mascot has a high earning potential. The top-performing mascots earn serious money, and enrich the experience of fans across the league. So, if you want to make it in the NBA, but don’t have what it takes as a player, you always have a backup plan!

For something similar, check out our article on NFL mascots. Or for more on the NBA, check out the NBA’s wealthiest players, the players with the most NBA rings, and average NBA player height compared to WNBA player height.

Lead image credit: Wikipedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

The best players can find themselves winning huge sums for lifting the trophy at one of the larger tournaments, plus they can earn some serious cash through other means, such as endorsements and commentary.

Let’s take a look at the top 10 richest snooker players in the world, taking into account their career winnings, as well as anything else they’ve managed to earn.

10. Mark Williams – ￡7.1 Million ($9 Million)

Mark Williams is a part of the famous Class of 92, which also includes John Higgins and Ronnie O’Sullivan.

He’s won 25 ranking titles and is one of three players to win the Triple Crown in one season, which he did in 2002-03. He’s won the World Championship three times, plus the Masters and UK Championship twice each.

To date, Williams has won ￡7,523,654 in prize money throughout his career.

Overall, his net worth is estimated to be approximately ￡7.1 million ($9 million). He’s still playing to a high level, so this sum will probably increase even further.

9. Willie Thorne – ￡8.1 Million ($10.3 Million)

At number 9 on our list is the late great Willie Thorne.

Willie actually only won one ranking snooker tournament with The Classic in 1985, and peaked at No. 7 in the world rankings.

He retired from snooker in 2001, but returned to the game in 2017 for the World Seniors Championship. He played until 2019, with a final match at the UK Seniors Championship, before passing away aged 66 after being placed in an induced coma.

Throughout his career, Thorne won a grand total of ￡1,182,229. His estimated net worth is ￡8.1 million ($10.3 million).

8. John Higgins – ￡8.8 Million ($11.2 Million)

Another of the great generation of players who started in the early 90s, John Higgins is regarded as one of the best players of all time.

He has 31 ranking titles, including four World Championships, three UK Championships and two Masters. “The Wizard of Wishaw” has also been world number one on many occasions.

Overall, Higgins has won ￡9,725,269 in prize money.

As with many other players on this list, Higgins is still playing and in contention to win major tournaments, so his wealth will probably only increase.

7. John Parrott – ￡9.1 Million ($11.6 Million)

John Parrott is perhaps as well-known for being a pundit and TV personality as he is for being a snooker player.

He won nine ranking tournaments throughout his career and rose to be as high as number two in the world. His biggest achievement was winning the World Championship and UK Championship in the same season.

Throughout his career, Parrott took in ￡3,160,747 in prize money, however he has earned a considerable amount more from TV appearances, as well as for being a long-time pundit and commentator.

He’s now worth about ￡9.1 million ($11.6 million).

6. Ronnie O’Sullivan – ￡11.2 Million ($14.2 Million)

Ronnie O’Sullivan is regarded by many as the greatest snooker player to have ever picked up a cue.

“The Rocket” has won a record eight Masters titles, as well as eight UK Championships, which is another record.

What’s more, he’s a seven-time World Championship winner and holds a total of 41 ranking titles altogether.

Overall, O’Sullivan has won ￡13,973,534 in prize money throughout his career, plus he’s earned a considerable sum from sponsorships.

His current net worth is estimated to be approximately ￡11.2 million ($14.2 million).

5. Cliff Thorburn – ￡12.2 Million ($15.5 Million)

Canadian Cliff Thorburn was a hugely successful player throughout the 1980s.

He only won two ranking titles in his career, however one of these was the 1980 World Championship.

Thorburn also won the Masters three times – only Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan have won the tournament more times.

Over the course of his career, Thorburn only managed to win approximately ￡1.4 million in prize money.

He’s earned a considerable amount since retiring, however, and his personal fortune is now estimated to be around ￡12.2 million ($15.5 million).

4. Jimmy White – ￡15.3 Million ($19.4 Million)

Jimmy White is perhaps the most popular snooker player of all time.

“The Whirlwind” won 10 ranking tournaments throughout his career, including the UK Championship. He has also won the Masters once, however, has never won the World Championship, despite reaching the final six times.

Over the course of White’s career, he won ￡4,942,404 in prize money, however his personal fortune is thought to be approximately ￡15.3 million ($19.4 million).

Much of his wealth has come from TV appearances and sponsorship details.

3. Dennis Taylor – ￡18.2 Million ($23.2 Million)

In third place on our list of the richest snooker players is Dennis Taylor, who is best known for his amazing World Championship victory in 1985, beating Steve Davis in perhaps the most exciting finale to a snooker match ever broadcast.

He also won one other ranking title, as well as the Masters in 1987.

Dennis Taylor didn’t win masses of money from snooker, however he has earned a huge amount after retiring, through commentary and appearing on many shows, including Strictly Come Dancing.

He is now thought to be worth about ￡18.2 million ($23.2 million).

2. Stephen Hendry – ￡25.5 Million ($32.4 Million)

In second place is Stephen Hendry, the man who dominated snooker throughout the 1990s.

He won six Masters titles, including five in a row, as well as seven World Championships and five UK Championships. He was ranked number one in the world for over eight years.

Throughout the course of his career, Hendry has won ￡8,804,081 in prize money.

In 2021, he made a comeback after a nine-year absence, although there’s speculation that he will retire again due to his self-proclaimed “embarrassing” performance since his return.

His overall wealth is thought to be approximately ￡25.5 million ($32.4 million).

1. Steve Davis – ￡26.5 Million ($33.7 Million)

Steve Davis, who was world number one for seven consecutive seasons during the 1980s, scoops the top spot in our list of the richest snooker players ever.

In his career he managed to win 28 ranking titles, including six World Championships and six UK Championships.

He also won the Masters on three occasions and is the only snooker player to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

In his career, which lasted until 2016, Davis won about ￡5.5 million.

As with many of the other names on this list, he has also earned a large sum through commentary, endorsements and other avenues, taking his net worth to be around ￡26.5 million ($33.7 million).

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10. Kevin Durant – $300 million net worth

One of the NBA’s most lethal scorers, Kevin Durant is also among the league’s best paid athletes. Insider reported that Durant has earned over $300 million, making him the third highest paid NBA player of all time. 

Now playing for the Phoenix Suns, Durant is searching for his next NBA championship since leaving the Golden State Warriors in 2019. The intervening years had been difficult with Durant’s old team, the Brooklyn Nets, who struggled to make an impact during the playoffs

Off the court, Durant’s success has been more consistent. Each year he earns millions through investments with his company, 35 Ventures. He’s also secured endorsement deals with Coinbase, NBA Top Shot and Weedmaps.

Durant is also a Nike sponsored athlete. Interestingly, his contract with the shoe company includes a $50 million kicker that will be gifted to him when he retires. 

9. Grant Hill – $300 million net worth

Earning over $100 million during his basketball career set Grant Hill up for success when he retired in 2013. Taking advice from his ex-NFL playing father, Hill made sure to not squander his earnings and turned his fortune into a real estate empire. 

Today, his company, Hill Ventures, has developed over $200 million worth of projects. 

Outside of real estate, Hill is a co-owner of NBA franchise The Atlanta Hawks. He also owns a large portfolio of art works created by Black artists. 

Hill even organized a three year, seven city tour of his personal art collection in the hope it would inspire other Black Americans. 

After being admitted to the Hall of Fame in 2018, Hill signed a lifetime deal with shoe brand Fila to recreate his line of shoes that were first released in the 1990s.

8. Hakeem Olajuwon – $300 million net worth

Another ex-NBA star that has turned to property is center, Hakeem Olajuwon. During his career, Olajuwon won two NBA Championships with the Houston Rockets. He was also the first non-American to win the MVP award.

During the final years of his career, Olajuwon began to set aside money for real estate, an important step as his faith forbids him from borrowing money via loans.

Today his portfolio is large and varied. A fact he partially attributes to the home court advantage he has when closing deals in Houston.

7. Shaquille O’Neal – $400 million net worth

Shaq is known for his incredible size, strength, and athleticism on the court, but has also built just as large a reputation off it. This is thanks to his personality, humor, and business knowledge. 

Earning nearly $300 million during your playing career is a great way to start any retirement, but Shaq has not rested on his laurels. Instead, he has built himself into a brand, starring regularly on TNT’s coverage of the NBA as well as featuring on other TV programs, and hosting a podcast. 

Shaq also invests heavily. He has owned shares in both Google and Apple. Throughout his business career he also owned 155 Five Guys franchises. 

6. Vinnie Johnson – $500 million net worth

Unlike the other players named on this list so far, Vinnie Johnson was not a generational talent. Although he did play a key role in the Detroit Pistons back-to-back championships in 1988-89, 1989-1990. 

Nicknamed “The Microwave” for his ability to heat up an offense, Johnson’s best moment came in 1990 when he hit the championship winning shot.

However, Vinnie spent most of his career coming off the bench and only amassed career earnings of approximately $6 million.

With this money, Johnson launched an automobile supply company called Piston Automotive which eventually formed part of Johnson’s larger empire, Piston Group. 

The company supplies car parts to leading manufacturers and has long outgrown its home in Detroit. It can now be found throughout the Midwest. 

The company’s annual revenue has been recorded at an incredible $2.9 billion.

5. Kobe Bryant – $600 million net worth

At the time of his death in January 2020, Kobe Bryant was worth an estimated $600 million. 

During an incredible career with the Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant won five NBA championship rings and earned $680 million through both his salary and endorsements. 

Joining the NBA straight from high school, Bryant wasted no time making money. His first sneaker deal was a six-year contract with Adidas worth $48 million dollars. 

Of course, Bryant will always be remembered as a Nike athlete and his signature Kobe trainers are some of the most popular in the NBA.

Bryant also formed Granity Studios; a multimedia content company that won an Academy Award for an animated short film titled “Dear Basketball”. 

The Bryant empire continues to thrive despite Kobe’s untimely death. The family and Nike re-signed in 2022, meaning Bryant’s popular range of shoes will continue to be available to hoopers all around the world. 

4. Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman – $600 million net worth

Junior Bridgeman’s highest salary for a season in the NBA was only $350,000. The total earnings of his playing career amounted to just over $4 million. Yet, he is one of the richest NBA players of all time. 

Bridgeman built his incredible fortune through buying Wendy’s franchises after learning how to run the restaurants during his off seasons. 

When he sold his restaurant empire in 2016, it included approximately 250 Wendy’s franchises and 120 Chilli’s restaurants. 

Bridgeman sold his empire to become a bottler for the Coca-Cola Company. His new company, Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Co. operates 17 distribution centers and employs nearly 2,500 staff members. 

Bridgeman also owns Ebony and Jet, two magazine brands which he purchased together for $14 million. 

3. LeBron James – $1 billion net worth

LeBron James, the NBA’s highest ever scorer, comes in at second on our list. But he is actually the richest active NBA player.

James is a towering figure in the world of sport and is one of the most famous athletes ever. Now with the Los Angeles Lakers, James has brought championships to every team he’s played for. His legacy is unrivaled in the modern game. 

Like Kobe Bryant, James joined the NBA straight from high school. Fast forward to 2022, when James signed a $97.1 million, two year contract extension with the Lakers. This made James the highest paid player in NBA history.

This has done little to diminish his earning potential off the court. Instead, James has flourished, making millions through off court business ventures and endorsements . 

Thanks to his salary, endorsements and business moves, James is the first active NBA player to be a billionaire. An achievement that is down to him taking equity in companies as opposed to cash. 

To cap it all off, James is one of only three athletes to have a lifetime Nike deal. He signed the deal in 2015 and receives $32 million from the brand annually. 

2. Magic Johnson – $1.2 billion net worth

One of the most famous NBA stars of all time, Magic Johnson’s salary earned a modest $39 million during his playing career. This was partly because the era he played in didn’t pay as much as the modern day. Another reason was the 25-year, $25 million contract he signed with the Lakers in 1984.

Despite this, Johnson has managed to build a huge fortune.

Unsurprisingly, Johnson’s business empire has been focused on sport. He used to own 4% of the Los Angeles Lakers and still owns stakes in the LA Dodgers, LA Sparks, and Los Angeles FC. 

Magic Johnson Enterprises, his investment firm, is estimated to have holdings worth $1 billion. 

However, Johnson hasn’t always made the right business move. In 1979, a small shoe brand called Nike approached him with a sponsorship opportunity. Instead of money they were offering to pay him in stocks. Johnson turned them down and stuck with Converse, losing out on millions of dollars in the long run. 

1. Michael Jordan – $3 billion net worth

Of course, it’s Michael Jordan, the six-time NBA champion, that tops our list of the richest NBA players of all time. One of the most marketed athletes ever, Jordan was the global face of the NBA from 1984 to his final retirement in 2003. 

Jordan’s total salary from his NBA career was around $90 million. But it was through Nike’s Jordan brand that he made his fortune. 

This is because Jordan takes 5% out of every Jordan Brand item sold. Marca reported that Nike sells $15 million worth of Jordan Brand items every day. So, it’s not hard to see how Jordan has reached a net worth of $3 billion.  

This isn’t to say MJ doesn’t have other sources of income. 

Jordan took over the NBA franchise The Charlotte Hornets in 2010, when they were valued at $175 million. In 2022, the franchise was valued a whopping $1.7 billion. In August 2023, Jordan sold his majority stake in the Hornets, retaining a minority share.

Jordan also owns a NASCAR team, 23XI Racing along with three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin. To cap it all off, he is an investor and advisor for sportsbook DraftKings.

It’s nice to see that with all of that money, he does a lot of good:

Enjoyed this? Check out some of our other NBA articles, such as the he average height of an NBA player, and the NBA players with the largest hands. Or, check out our analysis on WNBA player salaries.

Lead image credit: Kip-koech/Flickr, CC BY 2.0

1. Michel Platini
2. Alfredo Di Stefano
3. Zinedine Zidane
4. Franz Beckenbauer
5. Johan Cruyff
6. Ronaldo Nazario
7. Cristiano Ronaldo
8. Diego Maradona
9. Pele
10. Lionel Messi

10. Michel Platini

Number ten on our list of the best soccer players of all time is French midfield master, Michel Platini. He was an icon of football in the 70s and 80s, especially on the European stage, ultimately becoming the 6th president of UEFA from 2007 to 2015. His crowning glory came in leading France to victory in the 1984 European Championship and being named player of the tournament.

• National team: France
• Best World Cup performance: Semi-finalist (1986)
• Club teams: Nancy, Saint-étienne, Juventus
• Position: Attacking midfielder
• Total number of games: 653
• Total number of goals: 353
• Major honors (team): European Championship (1984), Serie A (1983–84, 1985–86), European Cup (1984–85), Coppa Italia (1982–83), Cup Winners’ Cup (1983–84), Ligue 1 (1980–81), Coupe de France (1977–78).
• Major honors (individual): Ballon d’Or: (1983, 1984, 1985), European Championship Player of the Tournament (1984).
• Peak years: Late 1970s to mid-1980s

9. Alfredo Di Stefano

An Argentinian and Spanish soccer legend, Alfredo Di Stefano is most known for being part of the dominant Real Madrid side that won the first five European Cups between 1955 and 1960. His versatility meant he could operate as either a striker or attacking midfielder, and his game-to-goal ratio (0.72) is up there with the very best in history.

• National team: Argentina, Spain
• Best World Cup performance: Did not play in a World Cup
• Club teams: River Plate, Millionarios, Real Madrid, Espanyol
• Position: Forward/Attacking midfielder
• Total number of games: 706
• Total number of goals: 509
• Major honors (team): Argentine Primera División (1945, 1947), Campeonato Profesional (1949, 1951, 1952), La Liga (1953–54, 1954–55, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1960–61, 1961–62, 1962–63, 1963–64), Copa del Rey (1961–62), European Cup (1955–56, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1958–59, 1959–60).
• Major honors (individual): Ballon d’Or (1957, 1959)
• Peak years: Late 1940s to early 1960s

8. Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Zidane was a mercurial talent that sometimes springs to mind for the wrong reasons (we’re looking at you, Marco Materazzi). But “Zizou” was undoubtedly the best player in the world for some years and the crucial part of the dominant French team of the late 90s and early 00s.

With the build and presence of a midfield enforcer, he also had the elegance, ball control, vision, and technique that has rarely been seen elsewhere on a football pitch.

• National team: France
• Best World Cup performance: Winner (1998)
• Club teams: AS Cannes, Girondins de Bordeaux, Juventus, Real Madrid
• Position: Attacking midfielder
• Total number of games: 803
• Total number of goals: 156
• Major honors (team): Serie A (1996–97, 1997–98), La Liga (2002–03) Champions League (2001–02), World Cup (1998), European Championship (2000).
• Major honors (individual): Ballon d’Or (1998), FIFA World Player of the Year (1998, 2000, 2003), French Division 1 Player of the Year (1995–96), Serie A Footballer of the Year (2000–01), European Championship Player of the Tournament (2000).
• Peak years: Late 1990s to early 2000s

7. Franz Beckenbauer

“Der Kaiser” was a German icon and the only player on our list to play in a primarily defensive position. Despite being deployed as a center-back or sweeper, Beckenbauer’s technical ability and leadership made him the essential cog in the dominant Bayern and West Germany teams of the mid-70s. The latter being widely regarded as one of the best soccer teams of all time.

His game-to-goal ratio of 0.13 is also outstanding for a defender and highlights his ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch.

• National team: West Germany
• Best World Cup performance: Winner (1974)
• Club teams: Bayern Munich, New York Cosmos, Hamburger SV
• Position: Sweeper/Center-back
• Total number of games: 857
• Total number of goals: 112
• Major honors (team): Bundesliga (1968–69, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1981–82), DFB-Pokal (1965–66, 1966–67, 1968–69, 1970–71), European Cup (1973–74, 1974–75, 1975–76), European Cup Winners’ Cup (1966–67), North American Soccer League (1977, 1978, 1980), World Cup (1974), European Championship (1972).
• Major honors (individual):  Ballon d’Or (1972, 1976), Footballer of the Year (Germany) (1966, 1968, 1974, 1976).
• Peak years: Late 1960s to mid-1970s

6. Johan Cruyff

Johan Cruyff arguably left a bigger legacy on soccer in his time as a coach than a player. That, and the work he did helping to establish Barcelona’s La Masia youth academy, which developed the talents of Pep Guardiola, Lionel Messi, and many others.

However, as a player, Cruyff’s dribbling and creativity were unrivaled in an era of superstars. He was the Ballon d’Or winner three times in four seasons. Though he was cruelly denied the biggest prize in world football when West Germany (led by a certain Franz Beckenbauer) won the World Cup in 1974. Despite this, he still goes down in history as one of the best soccer players of all time.

• National team: Netherlands
• Best World Cup performance: Runner-up (1974)
• Club teams: Ajax, Barcelona, Los Angeles Aztecs, Washington Diplomats, Levante,       Feyenoord
• Position: Forward/Attacking midfielder
• Total number of games: 761
• Total number of goals: 433
• Major honors (team): Eredivisie (1965–66, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1969–70, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84), KNVB Cup (1966–67, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1982–83, 1983–84), European Cup (1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73), La Liga (1973–74), Copa del Rey (1977–78).
• Major honors (individual): Ballon d’Or (1971, 1973, 1974), Dutch Footballer of the Year (1968, 1972,1984).

5. Ronaldo Nazario

The first of two Ronaldos on our list (spoiler alert), Ronaldo Nazario is considered by many to be the most complete striker in the history of soccer. He is a double World Cup and Ballon d’Or winner, and in his prime, the combination of power, speed, technical skill, and finishing ability made him almost unplayable.

Despite having his career curtailed by a repetitive patellar tendon injury, Ronaldo is undoubtedly one of the best Brazilian soccer players of all time and still managed to score 414 goals in 616 games for club and country, with a game-to-goal ratio of 0.67.

• National team: Brazil
• Best World Cup performance: Winner (1994, 2002)
• Club teams: Cruzeiro, PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Corinthians
• Position: Striker
• Total number of games: 616
• Total number of goals: 414
• Major honors (team): KNVB Cup (1995–96, Copa del Rey (1996–97), UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup: 1996–97, UEFA Cup (1997–98), La Liga (2002–03), Copa do Brasil (2009), World Cup  (1994, 2002), Copa América (1997, 1999).
• Major honors (individual): FIFA World Player of the Year (1996, 1997, 2002), Ballon d’Or (1997, 2002), Serie A Footballer of the Year (1998), UEFA Club Footballer of the Year (1997–98), FIFA World Cup All-Star Team (1998, 2002).
• Peak years: Late 1990s to early 2000s

4. Cristiano Ronaldo

A true legend of the past two decades, Cristiano Ronaldo has helped shape the vision of what a modern soccer player should be. His athleticism, professionalism, work ethic, and longevity have created a mold that many younger players will surely aspire to follow. However, his legendary goalscoring ability, especially in clutch moments, will likely never be matched.

During an era-defining rivalry with Lionel Messi’s Barca, as a Real Madrid player, the Portuguese master managed to secure four Champions League titles in five seasons. He also won five Ballon d’Or trophies and the first major trophy in Portugal’s history across an illustrious career.

• National team: Portugal
• Best World Cup performance: Semi-finalist (2006)*
• Club teams: Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al Nassr
• Position: Forward
• Total number of games: 1,206*
• Total number of goals: 873*
• Major honors (team): Premier League (2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09), FA Cup (2003–04), Football League Cup (2005–06, 2008–09), Champions League (2007–08, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18), FIFA Club World Cup (2008, 2014, 2016, 2017), La Liga (2011–12, 2016–17), Copa del Rey (2010–11, 2013–14), Serie A (2018–19, 2019–20), Coppa Italia (2020–21), European Championship (2016), UEFA Nations League: (2018–19).
• Major honors (individual): Ballon d’Or (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017), FIFA World Player of the Year (2008), Premier League Player of the Season (2006–07, 2007–08), La Liga Best Player (2013–14), Serie A Footballer of the Year (2019, 2020).
• Peak years: Late 2000s to late 2010s

*To date

3. Diego Maradona

If you look up the phrase “tortured genius”, Diego Maradona’s name will surely be included in the description. His outstanding dribbling, technical skill, and mental resilience were made all the more fascinating by his challenges off the pitch, and his willingness to do whatever it took to win, including embracing the “hand of god”. Sorry, England fans.

Maradona never won the Ballon d’Or because, for the majority of his career, only European players were eligible. Still, he was named FIFA Player of the Century in 2000, an award he shared with the next player on our list.

• National team: Argentina
• Best World Cup performance: Winner (1986)
• Club team(s): Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla, Newell’s Old Boys
• Position: Forward/Attacking midfielder
• Total number of games: 680
• Total number of goals: 345
• Major honors (team): Argentine Primera División (1981), Copa del Rey (1982–83), Serie A (1986–87, 1989–90), Coppa Italia (1986–87), UEFA Cup (1988–89), World Cup (1986).
• Major honors (individual): FIFA Player of the Century (2000), FIFA Goal of the Century (2002).
• Peak years: Late 1970s to mid-1980s

2. Pele

The joint-best player of the 20th century comes in at number two on our list. Pele pips Maradona to the position based on his superior goalscoring record, and because he is the only player in history to have lifted the World Cup on three occasions.

Despite having never played for a European club team, Pele’s exploits on the international stage are even more incredible when you consider the brutal treatment he received from opposition defenders.

Like Maradona, other teams often decided the best way to stop Pele was to kick him, and the rules back then resembled something closer to modern kickboxing than soccer. Even with this treatment, Pele had a career goal-to-game ratio of 0.91 and inspired Brazil to three World Cup trophies in four tournaments.

• National team: Brazil
• Best World Cup performance: Winner (1958, 1962, and 1970)
• Club teams: Santos, New York Cosmos
• Position: Forward/Striker
• Total number of games: 858
• Total number of goals: 789
• Major honors (team): Campeonato Brasileiro Série A (1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1968), Copa Libertadores (1962, 1963), North American Soccer League, Soccer Bowl (1977), World Cup (1958, 1962, 1970).
• Major honors (individual): FIFA Player of the Century (2000).
• Peak years: Late 1950s to early 1970s

1. Lionel Messi

If this list had been written before December 2022, there would have been an argument that Lionel Messi could not take the number one spot. A World Cup win had evaded Messi for many years, and surely the true GOAT must have won the ultimate prize in soccer at least once. Well, the greatest player of all time settled the debate once and for all when he lead his team to a win in Qatar in 2022.

Amongst his many achievements, Leo has won the most major team trophies of any player in history (44), the most Ballon d’Ors (8), the most Best FIFA Men’s Player awards (3), and is the only player in history to score 40+ goals in 12 consecutive seasons. And of course, he’s topped our list of the best soccer players of all time!

All hail the GOAT, Lionel Andrés Messi.

• National team: Argentina
• Best World Cup performance: Winner (2022)
• Club teams: Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami
• Position: Forward/Attacking Midfielder
• Total number of games: 1079*
• Total number of goals: 832*
• Major honors (team): La Liga (2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19), Copa del Rey (2008–09, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2020–21), Champions League (2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2014–15), FIFA Club World Cup (2009, 2011, 2015), Ligue 1 (2021–22, 2022–23), World Cup (2022), Copa América (2021).
• Major honors (individual): Ballon d’Or/FIFA Ballon d’Or (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023), Copa América Best Player (2015, 2021), La Liga Best Player (2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15), Argentine Footballer of the Year (2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
• Peak years: Late 2000s to 2010s

*To date

Best Soccer Player FAQs

Who are the best soccer players ever?

The top 10 best soccer players of all time are (in descending order): Michel Platini, Alfredo Di Stefano, Zinedine Zidane, Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Cruyff, Ronaldo Nazario, Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego Maradona, Pele, and Lionel Messi. This is based on their achievements, skill level, goal-scoring records, and longevity in soccer.

Who are the best soccer players right now?

According to the voting in the last edition of the Ballon d’Or in 2023, the top ten best players in soccer right now are (in descending order): Luka Modri?, Bernardo Silva, Victor Osimhen, Julián álvarez, Vinícius Júnior, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Lionel Messi.

Is David Beckham one of the best soccer players ever?

For several years David Beckham was considered one of the best players in the world. He was runner-up in the Ballon d’Or in 1999, and twice runner-up for FIFA World Player of the Year in 1999 and 2001. He is regarded as one of the best English soccer players ever, and is also one of the richest soccer players.

However, David Beckham isn’t one of the best soccer players of all time. To be considered as such, a player usually has to have won one or more Ballon d’Or trophies, and the World Cup. Beckham achieved neither.

What country has the best soccer players?

The best soccer players in the world can come from any country. For example, in the 2023 Ballon d’Or rankings, the top 10 players were each from a different country and the top 20 included players from Norway, Nigeria, Morocco, Georgia, and Egypt.

However, when looking historically at the best soccer players of all time, both Argentina (Messi and Maradona) and Brazil (Pele and Ronaldo) have two players in the top five, so they have arguably produced the best talent ever seen on a soccer pitch.

Who are the best US soccer players?

Some of the best American soccer players at the moment are Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund), Weston McKennie (Juventus), and Folarin Balogun (Monaco). Each of these USMNT stars plays in one of the big five European leagues, challenging for the biggest titles domestically and in Europe.

Historically, some of the best American soccer players were Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard, and Brad Friedel.

Lead image credit: Football Pictures/Flickr, PDM 1.0

Thanks to this huge market, today’s Super Bowl tickets are not only harder to find, but far more expensive. In 2024, Super Bowl ticket prices climbed as high as $54,000 on Ticketmaster, with a reported average price on StubHub of $8,600 – a far cry from the $12 fans coughed up in 1967. So, how has the average price fared over the years?

1960s and 1970s

The very first Super Bowl was called the AFL-NFL World Championship Game and was held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 1967. The average Super Bowl ticket price this year was $12. If adjusted for inflation, this number equals about $100 in today’s money.

The 1967 AFL-NFL World Championship Game was the only Super Bowl in history not to be sold out, but it was still a success. In the following two Super Bowls, tickets remained $12. Both games sold out.

In 1970, the decision was made to increase the ticket price to $15.

The next price hike came in 1975. Fans paid an average of $20 to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers win their first Super Bowl. By the end of the 1970s, Super Bowl ticket prices rose to $30. 

1980s: Prices Rise Steadily

As the Super Bowl grew in popularity, the cost of tickets quickly increased. 

Super Bowl XVIII, which was held in 1984, saw the average price of tickets climb from $40 to $60. The extra $20 was money well spent for Los Angeles Raiders fans, who watched their team trounce the Washington Redskins 38-9. 

Unfortunately for all NFL fans, Super Bowl ticket prices continued to go up during the second half of the 1980s. 

The price of Super Bowl tickets reached $100 for the first time in 1988 when the Washington Redskins played the Denver Broncos. This time Washington fans were rewarded for their investment as their team won Super Bowl XXII in a blowout of their own, beating the Broncos 42-10. 

1990s: The Secondary Market Emerges

Up until now, we’ve only listed Super Bowl ticket prices by face value. During the 1990s, however, many people began to profit from the NFL’s popularity by reselling their tickets. This was the beginning of the Super Bowl’s now famous secondary market.

In 1991, the average face value price of a Super Bowl ticket was $150. However, there are reports of fans buying their tickets from resellers outside Tampa Stadium for many times the face value.

As the amount of reselling went up, so did the face value of the tickets. Super Bowl XXIX, held in 1995, had an average ticket price of $200. This meant ticket prices had doubled in the seven years since Super Bowl XXII.

Those who paid the historically high price of $325 to watch the final Super Bowl of the millennium, XXXIII, were treated to a historic performance from Bronco quarterback John Elway. At the age of 38 he was named the oldest Super Bowl MVP in history. A record that would stand until 2017.

2000s: New Millennium, New Prices

By 2002, the face value cost of Super Bowl tickets had risen to $400. 

This was the price many New England Patriots fans paid to watch Tom Brady win his first Super Bowl; a bargain when compared to the average price of $8,000 Tampa Bay Buccaneer fans paid to watch Brady’s final Super Bowl win 19 years later. 

It was during the mid-2000s that the secondary market for Super Bowl tickets began to really heat up. 2006’s Super Bowl XL saw the price of secondary market tickets rise to over four times their face value. 

It would be rare for any fan to secure a Super Bowl ticket on the secondary market for under $1,000 from this point on. 

2010s: The Secondary Market Takes Over

The 2010s began with Super Bowl XLIV, the New Orleans Saints’ first ever championship. This Super Bowl was a huge event and the United States’ TV audience broke 100 million for the first time.

Unfortunately for those hoping to attend, this popularity came at a cost. Although the average face value of tickets was around $900-$1,000, tickets on the secondary market sold for an average of $2,329. 

These numbers were nothing compared to Super Bowl XLIX, a highly anticipated match that pitted the Seattle Seahawks against the New England Patriots. The face value cost of these tickets ranged between $500-$1,000, but the secondary market was hotter than it had ever been, with an average price of $9,723. 

Seven hours before kick-off, the cheapest ticket available was priced at $11,246.50. This was for one seat in Row 10 of Upper Sideline 449. Hopefully, a Seahawks fan didn’t buy it. After all, who wants to spend $10,000 just to see their team picked off at the goal line?

Although Super Bowl ticket prices came down in the years following 2015, the overall trend of increasing prices continued. At Super Bowl LII, in 2018, some resale tickets were listed at over $20,000.

2020s: Super Bowl Ticket Prices At An All-Time High

In the current decade, it seems all but impossible to buy Super Bowl tickets at face value. So, fans hoping to attend the Super Bowl must be willing to pay huge sums of money on the secondary market.?Super Bowl LIV saw some tickets listed above $70,000.

In 2021, fans had to pay an average of $8,161 to watch Tom Brady win his last Super Bowl. Although 7,500 lucky health care workers got to see the GOAT win his final championship for free. 

The average cost of tickets climbed further in 2023, when a Super Bowl ticket bought on the secondary market cost an average of $9,915. 

Cut to 2024, where resale tickets have been seen as high as $53,500. Though averaging at about $8,600.

Those with even more money to burn could guarantee themselves a comfortable seat by purchasing a luxury suite experience at the Allegiant Stadium. The cost for these ranges from $800,000 to $2,000,000.

Can we expect the trend of average Super Bowl ticket prices to change? Just consider the fact that 123.4 million people watched the Super Bowl in 2024, yet only 61,629 people were able to attend. We can safely assume tickets are still hot property and unlikely to consistently drop in price on the secondary market.

Couple this with the fact that the estimated total amount spent by American consumers on the Super Bowl reached $17.3 billion in 2024, and it feels like a bit of a lost cause.

For more on the Super Bowl, check out the stars who refused the Super Bowl halftime show or the best Super Bowl coaches of all time.

Lead image: U.S. Customs and Border Protection/Wikipedia Commons

This article will cover everything related to baseball innings. So, if you’re wondering how many innings there are in a baseball game, how long they take, or why there are sometimes more or less, you’re in the right place.

What Is An Inning In Baseball?

In baseball, the game is segmented into different sections called “innings”. In an inning, each team has one turn to bat, and one turn to field, known as half-innings.

While batting, a team is trying to score runs by hitting the ball and then running around the bases. The fielding team tries to stop the batting team from doing this and to get the offensive players out. The half-inning ends when an umpire rules three players on the batting team as “out”.

So, How Many Innings In Baseball?

In most professional baseball games, including those in the MLB, there is a standard length of nine innings. At the end of the ninth inning, the team with the most runs wins the game. If the two teams are tied at the end of the ninth inning, the game continues into “extra innings”. Extra innings continue until one team has outscored the other at the end of an inning.

In international baseball competitions and the World Baseball Classic (WBC), there is a “mercy rule”. This means a game can end when one team is winning by 10 or more runs and seven or more innings have been completed.

How Many Innings In College Baseball?

Like their Major League counterparts, college baseball games generally consist of nine innings. However, as we’ve mentioned, this may be shortened to seven innings due to the implementation of the mercy rule.

How Many Innings In High School Baseball?

In high school baseball, there are typically seven innings. However, some high school baseball leagues may have variations in the number of innings played, such as playing only five or six innings each game. These variations may be made to accommodate time constraints or other scheduling factors.

Nonetheless, the standard number of innings in high school baseball is seven, shorter than the nine-innings games played in college and professional leagues.

How Long Is An Inning In Baseball?

Baseball is a very complex sport, and constant mind games are happening between pitchers, batters, baserunners, and fielders. Coaches are also getting messages to players, and telling them to improve their position or predicting what the opposition might do next.

A pitcher might want to slow things down to increase the pressure on a batter, or a batter may take extra time to try and work out what sort of pitch might be thrown next. All of this takes time, so historically it has been impossible to accurately predict the exact length of a baseball inning. It would only end when three players had been given out on both teams.

Recently though, the biggest baseball league in the world, MLB, has taken steps to address this and reduce the amount of time teams can take during the game. As of the 2023 season, the league introduced a pitch clock that limits teams to 15 seconds for each pitch with the bases empty and 20 with runners on.

Since this rule was introduced, the average inning has lasted between 16 and 18 minutes. This has significantly reduced the overall length of an average MLB game, which is down to around two hours and 40 minutes (30 minutes less than the 2022 season).

How Long Can A Baseball Game Last?

In theory, a baseball game could keep going as long as the teams are tied. The longest professional game ever recorded was between minor league teams the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Rochester Red Wings. A total of 33 innings were played, and the game lasted eight hours and 25 minutes.

In the MLB, the record is a 25-inning match between the Chicago White Sox and the Milwaukee Brewers in 1984, which ran for a total of eight hours and six minutes. The fans certainly got their money’s worth that day!

Summary

So, now you know that the next baseball game you watch should have nine innings, and last around two hours and 40 minutes. If your game does go to extra innings, you might consider yourself lucky (depending on how much you’re enjoying the game) as this only happens in around 10% of regular season games.

For more on baseball, check out our articles on the richest baseball players ever and the most valuable Michael Jordan baseball cards.

Lead image credit: Global Panorama/Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0

But it’s not just their height that’s above average. In this article, we’re going to look at the players with the biggest hands in the NBA.

10. Wilt Chamberlain: 9.5″ x 11.5″

• Hand size: 9.5 inches (hand length) and 11.5 inches (hand span)
• Height: 7’1″
• Wingspan: 7’8″

Wilt Chamberlain is a true NBA legend, and his athleticism and physical stature were a huge part of his dominance over league rivals in the 1960s. He was 7’1″ and had a giant hand span of 11.5 inches, which helped him score the record number of points in a single NBA game (100).

9. Kawhi Leonard: 9.75″ x 11.25″

• Hand size: 9.75 inches (hand length) and 11.25 inches (hand span)
• Height: 6’7″
• Wingspan: 7’3″

The first active NBA player on our list, Kawhi Leonard, is known as one of the greatest defensive and clutch performers in modern NBA history. A double NBA Champion and Finals MVP, Kawhi Leonard’s hand length of 9.75 inches undoubtedly gave him an advantage over many of his rivals.

8. Michael Jordan: 9.75″ x 11.38″

• Hand size: 9.75 inches (hand length) and 11.375 inches (hand span)
• Height: 6’6″
• Wingspan: 6’11″

It’s not exactly a shock to see His Airness on an all-time NBA list. However, given his average height by NBA standards, it’s incredible to think he has a hand span that’s nearly a foot long, making him number eight on our list. His legacy and impact on basketball is unmatched, but many people don’t know the impact Michael Jordan’s hand size had on his ability.

7. Julius Erving: 9.5″ x 11.75″

• Hand size: 9.5 inches (hand length) and 11.75 inches (hand span)
• Height: 6’7″
• Wingspan: 6’11″

Just like Kawhi Leonard and Michael Jordan, Julius Erving is another entry on our list that has humungous hands relative to his height. Standing at a modest 6’7″, Dr. J has a hand span of 11.75 inches, which allowed him to wow fans with incredible athleticism and dunking ability.

6. Noah Vonleh: 9.75″ x 11.75″

• Hand size: 9.75 inches (hand length) and 11.75 inches (hand span)
• Height: 6’10″
• Wingspan: 7’4″

Noah Vonleh played in eight NBA seasons for eight different teams. He averaged less than 5 points per game during his NBA career, so will probably be most remembered for his giant 11.75 inch hand span. Vonleh is still an active professional and now plays for the Shanghai Sharks in the CBA.

5. Connie Hawkins: 10.5″ x 11″

• Hand size: 10.5 inches (hand length) and 11 inches (hand span)
• Height: 6’8″
• Wingspan: 7’1″

After overcoming a ban early in his basketball career due to his alleged involvement in a college basketball point-shaving scheme, Connie Hawkins went on to become a four-time NBA All-Star between 1970 and 1973. He had the second largest hand length of any NBA player in history (10.5 inches).

4. Gregory Smith: 9.8″ x 12″

• Hand size: 9.8 inches (hand length) and 12 inches (hand span)
• Height: 6’10
• Wingspan: 7’3″

Gregory Smith is the first name on our list to have a foot-long hand span, which helped him forge a successful career as a professional basketball player, where he spent five years in the NBA. After leaving the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2016, Smith played for teams worldwide, most recently for Mineros de Zacatecas in the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional.

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 9.85″ x 12″

• Hand size: 9.85 inches (hand length) and 12 inches (hand span)
• Height: 6’11″
• Wingspan: 7’3″

Giannis the “Greek Freak” Antetokounmpo got his nickname for good reason. Giannis’s hand size and incredible stature have helped him become one of the superstars of the NBA since being drafted in 2013. A two-time MVP, Giannis has relied on his incredible athleticism and all-round skills to turn the Milwaukee Bucks into a consistent Championship threat.

2. Shaquille O’Neal: 10.25″ x 12″

• Shaq hand size: 10.25 inches (hand length) and 12 inches (hand span)
• Height: 7’1″
• Wingspan: 7’7″

When you think NBA big man, you probably think Shaq. A giant in every sense, Shaq’s physical presence and athletic ability made him one of the greatest centers to ever play the game. Shaq’s hand size comes in at a whopping 10.25 inches in length with a 12 inch span.

During his glittering career, he got those massive hands on trophies for an incredible four NBA championships, three finals MVPs, and one league MVP.

1. Boban Marjanovic: 10.75″ x 12″

• Hand size: 10.75 inches (hand length) and 12 inches (hand span)
• Height: 7’4″
• Wingspan

Serbian Center Boban Marjanovic isn’t exactly a house hold name, but he does have the biggest hands of any NBA player in history. Despite having the biggest hands in the NBA and a height of 7’4″, he’s not even close to being the tallest player in NBA history (7’7″).

Boban Marjanovic’s hands have helped him average 5.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per regular season game over a nine season career. Will there ever be a player with bigger mitts than the Serbian in the NBA? Only time will tell.

How Is Hand Size Measured?

A quick note on how hand size is measured for basketball players.

Scouts for each of the NBA franchises want to know the hand sizes of potential players, as it’s easier to control and manipulate a basketball if you can grip it more fully. There are two measurements taken for prospective NBA players hands during the league draft combine. They are:

1. Hand length: This is the distance from the tip of the middle finger to the base of the palm, where it meets the wrist.
2. Hand span: This is the distance from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the pinky finger, with the hand outstretched.

FAQs About The Biggest Hands In The NBA

Who has bigger hands: Kawhi or Michael Jordan?

Michael Jordan has slightly bigger hands than Kawhi Leonard. They both have a hand length of 9.75 inches, however Jordan has a hand width of 11.375 inches, compared to Kawhi’s 11.25.

How big are LeBron James’ hands?

By regular standards, LeBron James has giant hands, but in terms of the NBA, they’re fairly average. LeBron’s hands are 9.25 inches long, but his handspan is just 9.0 inches. This is relatively small compared to Kawhi Leonard’s 11.25 inch handspan.

How big are Chris Paul’s hands?

12-time NBA All Star and current Golden State Warriors guard, Chris Paul has a reported hand length of 7 inches, and handspan of 9 inches. This hand size is small for an NBA player but matches his height of 6ft 0in.

How big are Michael Jordan’s hands?

Michael Jordan’s hands are?9.75 inches long, with a span of 11.375 inches. This allowed him to control the ball and make life difficult for his opponents on both offense and defense. He also has wingspan of 6’11″.

What is Yao Ming’s hand size?

Former Houston Rockets star Yao Ming has an estimated hand size of 10 inches long and 11 inches wide. He also has a remarkable wingspan of 7ft 5inches to go with his 7ft 6inch height.

Can Kevin Durant palm a ball?

Apparently not. Durant once told reporters that although he stands at 6ft 11inches tall, his hands aren’t big enough to palm a regulation sized, fully-pumped up NBA ball.

A Final Word

If you’ve ever visited the NBA store in New York, you will have seen the incredible hand prints of famous players and had the chance to compare your hands to theirs. This probably made you feel pretty small, and maybe our list did too, but don’t worry, you won’t have to go onto the court with them anytime soon!

In this article, we’ll look at the average NBA player height by position, the average height of players over the years, and the average height of teams in the NBA vs their win rate.

Average NBA Height By Position

There are five traditional positions on a basketball team. Point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center. In general, any “short” NBA player is a point or shooting guard, while centers are usually the tallest players on the court.

Average NBA Point Guard Height: 6’2.5″

As of 2022, the average height of an NBA point guard was 6’2.5″. Although this is shorter than the overall average height for NBA players, it’s still over five inches taller than the average man.

Of course, there are still lots of examples of successful NBA players under this height.

All time greats Allen Iverson (6’0”), John Stockton (6’1”) and Chris Paul (6’1”) all played at point guard (and shooting guard in the case of Iverson) in the NBA. This is because the point guard position often favors ball handling, agility, speed and game IQ over height.

In the 2023-24 season, the shortest player in the league is the Toronto Raptors Markquis Nowell, who stands at just 5’7”. The next shortest is Jacob Gilyard of the Memphis Grizzlies, who is just 5’8”. Both players are point guards.

NBA Shooting Guard Average Height: 6’4.5″

Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, two of the most exciting and talented players to ever grace the NBA hardwood, were both primarily shooting guards. They were both 6’6″, which is slightly bigger than the 2022 average of 6’4.5″.

On average, shooting guards are two inches taller than points guards, and two inches shorter than small forwards. They are often required to combine the skills associated with both positions.

Especially in the modern era of the NBA, it’s not unusual to see “swingmen” who can play multiple positions with a range of skills. These include shooting guards like James Harden, Tracy McGrady, Klay Thompson, and of course Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.

Average Height Of A Small Forward In The NBA: 6’6.4″

Despite being named “small” forwards, NBA players in this position have an average height of 6’6.4″. This is slightly above the overall average NBA player height. Maybe the league could consider renaming them “above average” forwards instead?

The greatest small forwards in the history of the NBA have combined outstanding basketball skill and athleticism with height and power to give their opponents nightmares. These include LeBron James (6’9″), Larry Bird (6’9″), and Scottie Pippen (6’8″).

Average Height Of A Power Forward In The NBA: 6’8.2″

Like the name suggests, power forwards generally have a pretty intimidating stature. On average, power forwards in the NBA have a height of 6’8.2″, which is nearly a foot bigger than the average American male.

Due to their height, power forwards are expected to rebound, set screens and generally play closer to the basket than guards and small forwards. However, in the modern game, it’s not uncommon to see a power forward with the skill of a guard, but the height of a center.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (6’11”), Kevin Garnett (6’11”), Kevin Durant (6’11”) and Dirk Nowitzki (7’0″) are all giants that had a combination of ball handling, shooting, passing and IQ that was generally reserved for smaller players in eras gone by.

Average NBA Center Height: 6’10.3″

Centers are on average the tallest players on any basketball court. Centers and power forwards can interchange, and as previously mentioned, some of the greatest power forwards in the modern era are bigger than centers, but on average an NBA center is 6’10.3″.

They generally play closest to the basket of any position, and their primary responsibility is to rebound, set screens, block the opposing team’s shots, and to score in the paint.

Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs and Boban Marjanovic of the Houston Rockets are the two tallest players currently active in the NBA. They are both 7’4″ and play as centers (although Wembanyama can also play as a power forward).

The tallest player in NBA history was Gheorghe Mure?an (pictured below), who was a whopping 7’7″, and you guessed it, played as a center.

Average Height In The NBA By Year

Over the centuries, the average height of humans has steadily risen thanks to improvements in healthcare, nutrition and living conditions. In the US, the average height of a man increased by 1.5 inches between 1960 and 2002. So, ??has the average basketball player height continued to increase in the same way?

The graph below shows the average height of an NBA player per decade, starting from the 1960s.

The average player height in the 2002/2003 NBA season was 6’6.9″, which was exactly 1.5 inches taller than in 1960, like the general population.

However, the NBA has not seen a taller decade since the noughties.

The mid 80s was known as the era of the big men, so it makes sense that average NBA player height peaked in 1986/87 (at 6’7.2″). Since then and over time, the league has moved away from an overreliance on height, and is more focused on skill.

Average NBA Height By Team

In the table below, we list the average height of each NBA team alongside the team’s win rate. All data is for the 2023/24 season:

The tallest NBA team is the Denver Nuggets, who clock in at 6’7.9″ on average. That’s 1.4 inches taller than the 6’6.5″ league average, and a significant 2.5 inches more than the shortest team in the league, the Golden State Warriors.

The below graph shows the teams in order of average height (starting with the tallest), plotted against the season’s current win rate percentage.

There is only a slight correlation to be seen when plotted on a graph (shown by the trend line). However, notably, the team with the highest win rate, the Boston Celtics, is the third tallest team. This is also the team with the most NBA rings.

Does Size Really Matter?

Size absolutely matters in the NBA, but it’s not everything. As this article has shown, different positions have different average heights and things have changed from one era to another. There are scores of players who don’t conform to the averages that have had amazing careers. But what are your odds of making it in the NBA?

Average NBA Height FAQs

Enjoyed this? Check out our article on the players with the biggest hands in the NBA and the tallest WNBA players.