Category: Sports

All about Super Bowl LVIII: A Guide for Football Fans

Posted on by Dan Eckersley

By Heather King

The countdown to Super Bowl LVIII is on! The annual matchup of the best team from the AFC and NFC are set to meet in Las Vegas this Sunday, February 11 at 4:30 pm MT. It’s the one football event of the year when families, friends, and even rivals perch on the edge of their seats for the game, the halftime performance, and the commercials. Because the Super Bowl isn’t just another championship football game, it’s a cultural phenomenon that captures the spirit of competition and festivity across America.

History of the Super Bowl

The first Super Bowl was played on January 15, 1967 between the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs will certainly look to flip the outcome this year. But since that first annual collision of the best NFL teams, the final Sunday game of football has become synonymous with not only athletic prowess but also American culture itself—practically becoming a national holiday in its own right. 

Road to Super Bowl LVIII

The road to Super Bowl LVIII has been paved with highs and lows, thrilling comebacks, and heart-wrenching defeats. Each team has fought valiantly, pushing past every defeat, to earn the opportunity to play in Allegiant Stadium. Plenty of matchups could decide the outcome of this very close game. 

Yet Super Bowl LVIII isn’t just about the players on the field; it’s about the legions of fans who live and breathe their team’s colors. From hardcore fans whose rituals and superstitions could determine the winner to the fan whose team was long-since eliminated but still enjoys the sheer love of the game.

Food and Snacks for Super Bowl 

No Super Bowl experience is complete without the feast. From Buffalo wings and nachos to themed desserts, food is sure to be the big winner of everyone’s Super Bowl Sunday. While the epic clash unfolds on the screen, ensure your table is stacked with mouth-watering touchdowns of its own.

Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show

The halftime show has grown to rival the game itself in spectacle and excitement. With a history of performances from mega superstars, the Super Bowl Halftime Show is a performance platform like no other. Usher will grace the stage this year, and you can only guess what surprises might be in store. Basically everything is a prop bet given the setting in Vegas this year.

Super Bowl Commercials

For those watching the big game for something other than football, it’s got to be the commercials. A 30-second spot costs millions for advertisers, and for good reason, Super Bowl commercials are often as eagerly anticipated as the game itself. They make us laugh, they make us think, and sometimes they become the stuff of legend. 

May the Best Team Win

As Super Bowl LVIII draws near, let’s revel in the anticipation for the game. Whether you’re cheering for the 49ers, the Chiefs, Taylor Swift, Usher, or the Budweiser Clydesdales, this Sunday’s game will be filled with moments to celebrate. No matter what you’re watching for: the thrill of the competition, the spectacular halftime show, or the groundbreaking commercials, there’s something for everyone on Super Bowl Sunday.

So, grab your jerseys, order your snacks, and get ready to witness greatness. It’s time for Super Bowl LVIII. Whether you’re cheering from the stands, your living room, or our nearest neighborhood location, the spirit of the Super Bowl is about celebrating the game we love, together. 

Celebrating the Best Sports Moments of 2023 

Posted on by Dan Eckersley

by Heather King

It’s that time of year to look back and celebrate the best sports moments of 2023! The year 2023 was one to remember, from epic comebacks to unforgettable displays of brilliance. These breath-holding moments captured our hearts and minds, and played a significant role in shaping our love for the game. We’ll always remember where we were when…. Now, as we take a look back at the most unforgettable sports moments of 2023 that kept us on the edge of our seats, we’re thrilled to remember these unbelievable games with you.

College Football Playoff Championship: Georgia versus TCU 

January 2023 can be defined as domination season for the Georgia Bulldogs. They finished the season 15-0 and repeated as national champions. Even after losing 15 players to the NFL in 2022, they literally ate the TCU Horned Frogs for dinner in a 66-7 win for the title. It’s a margin that stands as the largest title game victory in modern college football history. Aside from scoring more points in the game than any other during the season, the Dawgs racked up records—the least of which involved scoring 1.1 points per minute. 

2023 NBA Championship: Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat 

The 2023 NBA Championship battle between the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat was a historic one. While the Nuggets hadn’t won the playoffs since 1976, Miami was coming off a championship win just two years prior, and fans everywhere were ready to see who could really take it all to the hoop. Throughout the six-game series, the Nuggets eventually proved to play 5,280 feet higher than everyone else but not before we were treated to some incredible championship series moments. 

The Nuggets put on a show starting with the game 1 overtime thriller. Thanks to a dominant performance from Nikola Jokic who scored 36 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and dished out nine assists to lead the Nuggets to victory.

The triple-double duel in game 3 lead to a high-scoring affair with players from both teams finishing with triple-doubles.

Down 2-1 by game 4, the Heat needed to bring it to stay in the series. With the game tied in the closing seconds, Miami’s Jimmy Butler drove to the basket and hit a layup as time expired to keep Miami’s championship hopes alive heading into Game 5.

The Nuggets were just one win away from their first championship in nearly 50 years, and they turned to their star player once again. Jokic put up yet another dominant performance, scoring 32 points and grabbing 20 rebounds on his way to being named the Finals MVP. Denver won the game 107-99, securing their first championship since 1976.

Accolades Earned in NFL Football, Grand Slam Tennis, Formula 1, and NBA Basketball

Super Bowl 57 saw Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes lead his team to a second win in just 4 years. Mahomes also earned his second MVP award, at least partly due to his stellar performance even while playing with an injured ankle through the fourth quarter. 

Novak Djokovic broke the tennis Grand Slam record with 24 titles after he won Roland Garros and secured number one in the world. 

Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen won his third Formula 1 World Championship after driving in 19 wins, landing on the podium 21 times, earning 10 consecutive wins, and scoring the most points in a season with 575.

LeBron James surpassed the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer with 38,388 points on February 8. 

Raise a Glass to the Memories

Great sports moments are more than just the tournaments, games, and competitions. It’s often the herculean efforts of individual players, intricate teamwork, and the sport, spirit, and passion on display when it’s down to the wire. When we watch our favorite players in the zone, their athleticism and sporting talent keeps us entertained and thrilled. These are the moments that will continue to inspire us for years to come.

So don’t miss a moment of 2024, head over to your nearest neighborhood location and celebrate your favorite moments with us!

All About the Kentucky Derby

Posted on by Dan Eckersley

Every year on the first Saturday in May, the Churchhill Downs holds the famous Kentucky Derby. This event is a race for 20 3-year-old Thoroughbred horses. All of them must run a distance of one and one-quarter miles. 

Around 155,000 people attend the race every year. It’s no wonder why they do, as the Kentucky Derby is one of the most prestigious horse races in the world. It is also America’s longest continually held sporting event. 

But what got this event started all those years ago? And what can you do if you attend a Kentucky Derby? Read on to learn more.

History and Traditions of the Kentucky Derby 

Thoroughbred racing has been a part of Kentucky’s history since before the state was a state. Frontiersmen loved to race the horses they brought with them into the wilderness. So horse racing was around long before the Kentucky Derby. 

Kentucky Derby History

However, the official Kentucky Derby history started in 1872. That was the year Merriweather Lewis Clark, grandson of William Clark, traveled to Europe and attended the Epsom Derby in England. 

This event inspired Clark to create a horse race in America. The first official race took place in 1875. It has been held every year since then without any misses. 

Kentucky Derby Traditions 

What about the origins of those elaborate hats and mint juleps? As for the latter, the history isn’t so clear. The drink started appearing in the 1930s, but references to it existed before then. 

The elaborate hat tradition started in the 1960s. Fashion-conscious women wanted to stand out in the era of television. So the hats got more extensive and more detailed. 

The Horses and Jockeys 

Kentucky Derby horses are colts (male horses), geldings (castrated male horses), or fillies (female horses). All these types of horses must be three years old when racing. And officials encourage horse race safety (no drugs, enough rest, etc.). 

Also, the teams behind the horses select their jockeys carefully. It’s not just about credentials. A jockey must gel with a horse’s personality and racing style. 

The Kentucky Derby Experience 

So what can a person do at the Kentucky Derby? Besides watching the “laps in horse races” (only one in the Derby), you can bet on the horse you think will win. You can also get drunk, eat your fill, and find yourself covered in mud (yes, the Derby can become a wild party). 

Also, come earlier in the week. You can attend plenty of other events before the event—for example, the opening night on the Saturday before the event features races and live entertainment. 

Watch the Kentucky Derby Here

As you can see, the Kentucky Derby is an honored tradition rich in history and tradition. But it can also be a ton of fun. 

Still, if you want to avoid crowds, there are many venues where you can get much of the experience. First, come by one of our many Bout Time Pub locations. We’ve got more TVs than tables and plenty of tasty food and drinks. 

Find your nearest pub on your page.

Bracket Busting Facts About the Final Four

Posted on by Dan Eckersley

Are you among the 58% of Americans watching college basketball? If so, you know that March Madness is the pinnacle of every college basketball season. But you might not know much about the history of this storied event.

Read on to learn some bracket-busting facts about the Final Four!

A Sports Broadcaster Coined March Madness 

That’s right — the phrase March Madness hasn’t been around forever. Longtime sports broadcaster Brent Musberger mentioned the phrase during a game in 1982, and the name caught on.

The only hitch? A high school state championship program had also laid claim to the phrase — starting in 1939. Fortunately, the NCAA and the high school sports program were granted permission to use March Madness!

Five Is an Unlucky Number

Earning a #5 seed in the tournament sounds like a solid ranking for a basketball program. Good luck winning the tournament, though!

That’s because there has never been a #5 seed to walk away with the trophy. And only three teams have ever advanced to the championship game with that seed.

Kansas City Has Hosted the Most Games

You might be surprised that this Midwestern city ranks at the top. But that’s largely because Kansas City’s Municipal Auditorium, which dates back to 1935, scored nine hosting gigs between 1940 and 1964. Today, the Superdome in New Orleans tackles most of the Final Four hosting duties. 

The Courts Originate in Michigan

It makes sense to assume that the college basketball teams simply play on the given courts at a venue. But once again, there’s a surprising twist. The gleaming hardwood courts you see Final Four teams battle it out on are installed especially for the game.

Connor Sports sustainably sources the maple at its mill in Amasa, Michigan. Once the floors are processed and finished, they’re shipped to the courts for installation.

You’re Unlikely to Pick the Winning Teams

Have you been following college basketball all season? Even so, you’re probably not going to score a victory with your brackets. You’re better off entering the lottery if you hope to increase your winning odds. 

That said, a man chose the correct outcomes of the first 49 games in 2019. But that’s as far as he got!

1979’s Title Game Drew the Biggest Audience

If you’ve ordered a pizza with friends while watching a Final Four game in recent years, you may think you’re part of history. But the most-watched championship game on television wasn’t a recent one.

That’s understandable when you learn that the marquee players squaring off in 1979 were Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. The Michigan State Spartans, led by Johnson, came out on top. 

Get Ready for the Final Four

When you tune in for the Final Four, you’ll be able to impress your friends with little-known facts about the tournament. You can talk about the special hardwood courts, the history of the term March Madness, and more. Plus, you’ll know better than to let a #5 seed ascend to the championship game when filling out your bracket.

Ready to enjoy some fantastic grub while you indulge in March basketball? Check us out for the best pub in town!