As basketball and hockey fans across the country gear up for championship matchups, several Catholic bishops are adding a little extra incentive to cheer for their hometown teams.
Archbishop Ronald Hicks of New York and Archbishop Gustavo GarcÃa-Siller of San Antonio, Texas, have placed a friendly wager on the NBA finals, putting up New York bagels against Texas gift boxes as the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs battle for the championship.
If the Knicks capture the title, Archbishop GarcÃa-Siller will send Archbishop Hicks a collection of Texas-themed gift boxes from San Antonio-based grocery chain H-E-B. If the Spurs win, Archbishop Hicks will ship a package of New York favorites from H&H Bagels, including bagels, cream cheese, and lox.
The two archbishops, who became friends while serving together in the Archdiocese of Chicago, announced the wager hours before Game 1 of the series.
In a social media post, Archbishop Hicks noted that Knicks stars Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges are graduates of Villanova University, Pope Leo XIV’s alma mater. The archbishop also cited the Pope's recent remarks praising sports as a gift that fosters friendship, teamwork, and joy.
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Meanwhile, a similar wager is taking shape on the ice.
Archbishop George Leo Thomas of Las Vegas and Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama of Raleigh, North Carolina, have agreed to exchange steakhouse specialties and Carolina barbecue as the Golden Knights and Hurricanes compete for the Stanley Cup.
Archbishop Thomas has 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."
Archbishop Zarama, who has placed authentic Carolina barbecue and pecan pie on the line if the Hurricanes win, joked that his fellow bishop was "much more familiar with wagering than I am" while expressing appreciation for the opportunity to share the traditions of their respective dioceses.
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.
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.
For the bishops involved, the championship series offers more than bragging rights. It’s an opportunity to showcase the camaraderie, fellowship, and friendly competition that sports can inspire — values Pope Leo has repeatedly encouraged both on and off the field.
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