CNN
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“Mattress Mack” had reason to celebrate the Houston Astros’ World Series win on Saturday — and not just because he’s a huge Astros fan.
Houston furniture store owner Jim McIngvale, known as “Mattress Mack”, made a series of $10 million bets on the Astros to win the World Series.
And when his team clinched the franchise’s second World Series title with a 4-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, McIngvale took home $75 million – widely considered the biggest payout in sports betting history. .
“This past week has been particularly… beyond words,” McIngvale said in a statement on social networks, where he also posted a photo himself with a suitcase full of cash.
McIngvale told CNN last year that he made huge bets on a potential World Series title for the Astros to hedge a different kind of bet: customers who bought certain mattresses costing $3,000 or more will be refunded if the Astros win.
He told FOX 26 on Saturday that the $75 million would primarily go to customers as part of the Gallery Furniture chain 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’s placed on sports games over the years – including a $3.35 million stake placed in June 2021 on the Astros winning the World Series last year – and was filmed celebrating wildly during his team’s championship. winning match 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, such as Hurricane Harvey.
“I am so proud to be part of this city and will ALWAYS stand up for what is right… [and] 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 win over the Phillies was the first time since 2013 that a team had won the World Series title on home turf.