Goodman backs Antonio Brown in lone SuperBook wager

Oscar Goodman has tried to talk the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook into moving the Super Bowl LV line from Kansas City minus-3, to 3 1/2.

He didn’t have the clout.

“I went to management and tried to lean on them a little bit, but they said, ‘You’re not the mayor anymore. Don’t bother us,’” Goodman said Friday during a visit to the SuperBook for his annual Super Bowl wager on Friday. “They wouldn’t give me the extra half-point unless I paid for it.”

There is an option for big-money bettors to pay for that half point. But Goodman would wasn’t buying it.

Goodman wants to make what he calls a “sentimental” bet on the seemingly ageless Tom Brady and Tampa Bay to cover a 3 1/2-point spread. Of course, extra half point would make him a winner if the Buccaneers could lose by a field goal or less (or, win the game).

The move from 3 to 3 1/2 represents a big half-point for NFL bettors.

Instead, the former mayor of Las Vegas bet a different prop, the Bucs’ Antonio Brown to score a touchdown at 2-to-1 odds. He did not bet the 56-point total, but did offer that he felt the game would be high scoring.

The oft-troubled Brown, who spent a brief period as a member of the Las Vegas Raiders’ roster in 2019, is a classic underdog as he enters the Super Bowl. The 32-year-old Brown listed as “questionable” because of a knee injury, but did practice Thursday and Friday.

Goodman reasons Buccaneers’ Brady will want to reward Brown for reviving his career in Tampa Bay.

”I think Brady will show that it was right for the team to take a chance with Brown,” Goodman said. “I think he’ll have a lot of motivation to get him a Super Bowl touchdown.”

The Bucs signed Brown, a frequent violator of the league’s personal-conduct policy in October.

“I don’t know how to bet a favorite,” Goodman said. “I’ve never represented one, so I’ll stay consistent.”

Goodman wagered $100 on Brown.

“That’s all Carolyn would give me,” Goodman said, referring to Carolyn Goodman, his wife and current mayor.

With showgirl Jennifer Gagliano at his side and a Bombay Sapphire martini in his hand, Goodman left to find the elusive 3 1/2-point spread.

“I’ll find it someplace, even if I have to go to a different place,” he said. On Saturday, he updated his efforts, saying. “I have former clients sniffing around the Caribbean for a 3 1/2.”

Goodman didn’t wager on the over/under total, which was 56 at this writing at the SuperBook.

“The only total I care about is how many players I am going to see on the field in the second half,” said Goodman, who plans on watching the game at home with family and his favorite cocktail nearby. When suggested that total would be at 43 1/2, he said, “Take the over.”

John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His “PodKats!” podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.