Mayors of Stanford, Wisconsin hometowns announce Rose Bowl wager

Tradition dictates that for big sporting events, such as the World Series, Super Bowl, or NBA Finals, the mayors of the respective teams’ cities place a friendly wager on the game. For example, if L.A. and New York were involved, L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa could wager a box of California oranges and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg could wager whatever it is that New York is known for. Crime, I suppose. The loser of the bet sends what he put up to the winner.

For the Rose Bowl game, which matches Stanford against Wisconsin, the wager -- announced Thursday by the mayor of Palo Alto, Calif., home of Stanford, and the mayor of Madison, Wis. -- is a bit different.

Instead of each city betting something it is known for, Palo Alto Mayor Yiaway Yeh and Madison Mayor Paul Soglin have decided that the mayor whose team loses will wear the winning’s team’s hat during a city council meeting.

So, there’s a lot riding on the outcome of the New Year’s Day game. I mean, wearing a hat? How embarrassing.

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