“Mattress Mack” had reason to celebrate the Houston Astros’ victory in the World Series on Saturday, and not just because he’s an Astros superfan.
Houston furniture store owner Jim McIngvale, known as “Mattress Mack,” made a series of $10 million bets that the Astros would win the World Series.
And when his team won the franchise’s second World Series title with a 4-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies, McIngvale took home $75 million, which many say is the largest payout in Phillies history. sports betting.
“This last week has been especially…beyond words,” McIngvale said in a declaration on social media, where posted a photo of himself with a suitcase full of cash.
McIngvale told CNN last year that he placed big bets on a possible World Series title for the Astros to hedge another kind of bet: Customers who bought certain mattresses that cost $3,000 or more will get their money back if the Astros win.
He told FOX 26 on Saturday that the $75 million will be paid primarily to customers as part of the Gallery Furniture chain’s promotion.
“The Astros did all the work, all I did was bet the money,” McIngvale said.
The 71-year-old is famous for the huge bets he has placed on sports games over the years, including a $3.35 million wager placed in June 2021 on the Astros winning last year’s World Series, and he was filmed celebrating wildly during his team’s championship. winning game at Minute Maid Park.
In the Houston community, McIngvale is well known for his charitable work, turning his stores into shelters to help people displaced by severe weather events like Hurricane Harvey.
“I am so proud to be a part of this city and I will ALWAYS stand up for what is right… [and] I will always do my best to act FAST and on the side of the people,” he added in his statement.
McIngvale also threw out the first pitch before Saturday’s game, which he described as “an honor.”
The Astros’ 4-1 victory against the Phillies was the first time since 2013 that a team has claimed the World Series title on its home field.