US bishops pay up after friendly wagers on NBA finals, Stanley Cup

Championship weekend brought more than trophies for the New York Knicks and Carolina Hurricanes — it also settled a pair of friendly epicopal wagers between four Catholic bishops whose dioceses were cheering for opposing teams. Now it’s time for the archbishops of San Antonio and Las Vegas to make good on the bets.

Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller of San Antonio is set to send gift boxes of Texas-themed items to Archbishop Ronald Hicks of New York after the Knicks won the 2026 finals. 

The two had placed a friendly wager on the NBA finals, putting up New York’s H&H Bagels against the gift boxes as the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs battled for the championship, as Zeale News previously reported.

Meanwhile, a “high steaks” victory took place on the ice.

Before the games, Archbishop George Leo Thomas of Las Vegas and Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama of Raleigh, North Carolina, agreed to exchange steakhouse specialties and Carolina barbecue as the Golden Knights and Hurricanes vied for the Stanley Cup.

Archbishop Thomas offered two steak packages from Las Vegas' historic Golden Steer Steakhouse if the Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup. 

“Las Vegas never folds under pressure,” Archbishop Thomas said in a statement announcing the wager. “And when it comes to the Golden Knights, we are all in.” 

At the time of the wager, Bishop Zarama joked that his brother bishop was “much more familiar with wagering” than he is. He also expressed appreciation for the opportunity to share the traditions of their respective dioceses.

After the Hurricanes won, the Las Vegas archbishop congratulated the Hurricanes while announcing that he was making good on the bet.

“A wager is a wager, and the Archdiocese of Las Vegas is happy to honor its commitment,” Archbishop Thomas said. “While we are disappointed that the Golden Knights fell short, we remain proud of our team and grateful for an exciting season. As promised we will send Bishop Zarama two Mafioso steak packages from the Golden Steer and hope he enjoys this taste of Las Vegas.”

He also offered his friends in Raleigh prayers and best wishes as the city celebrates bringing the Stanley Cup home to North Carolina. 

Friendly wagers tied to major sporting events have become a tradition among Catholic bishops in the U.S. Rather than money, the stakes typically involve local foods, regional specialties, or charitable donations, allowing church leaders to celebrate civic pride while promoting good sportsmanship, as Zeale News reported before the championships.

The custom has appeared around championship games, college football rivalries, and even papal visits, often generating lighthearted exchanges between dioceses whose communities find themselves rooting for opposing teams.

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