Mattress Mack makes large wager on Houston ahead of March Madness tournament

Mattress Mack out $5,000,000 after losing historic Super Bowl bet

HOUSTON, Texas – The Houston Cougars men’s basketball team boasts a 25-3 record and the top spot in the current AP poll. The squad is projected to be a tough out in the upcoming March Madness tournament, and Mattress Mack has bought in.

Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, owner of the Houston-based Gallery Furniture franchise, has become a local icon in the Houston area from his successes in business and efforts in philanthropy.

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Along with these passions, he has also made a name for himself as a sports gambler with a reputation for placing lofty wagers, often backing local teams. His $75 million payout from the Houston Astros winning the 2022 World Series was the largest win in sports betting history. In addition to his historic betting victories, McIngvale is no stranger to massive losses. Notably, he lost a $9.2 million wager on the Cincinatti Bengals ahead of Super Bowl LVI in 2022.

With the Cougars rolling, McIngvale called his shot again, placing a $1 million bet on the team winning the 2024 NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament.

At +750 odds, he will bring home $7.5 million if the squad brings home the title.

With such narrow odds, it stands to reason that this result is far from guaranteed.

The March Madness tournament is infamous for unfathomable outcomes and heartbreaking upsets, and the top-ranked team rarely survives the gauntlet. Despite reaching the Final Four six times in school history, the Cougars have never won a title.

There’s a first time for everything, and Houston’s furniture guru will be there to cash out if the Cougars make history.


About the Author

Michael is a Kingwood native who loves shooting hoops, visiting local breweries and overreacting to Houston sports. He joined the KPRC family in the spring of 2024. He earned his B.A. from Texas A&M University in 2022 and his M.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2023.

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