Elected officials making bets over sporting events is nothing new. But they generally wager local foodstuffs like New Orleans gumbo, or having to blush a little while wearing the opposing team’s jersey. They typically don’t wager people.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has done just that though, although in a rather tongue-in-cheek way that takes some jabs at Arizona’s controversial new immigration law.
Earlier this week, Villaraigosa offered Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon the following bet: If the L.A. Lakers beat the Phoenix Suns in their best-of-seven NBA Western Conference finals series, Arizona has to take Republican gubernatorial candidates Steve Poizner and Meg Whitman off California’s hands. And if Phoenix wins? Villaraigosa suggests that California should have to welcome the anti-immigration lightning rod Sheriff Joe Arpaio as punishment.
Should the Suns prevail, we will humbly accept ownership of “American’s Toughest Sheriff,” Joe Arpaio, Sheriff of Maricopa County. Perhaps a stint in Los Angeles would teach him that you cannot deduce immigration status simply by looking at a person.
Should the Lakers be victorious, we will deliver to you both Steve Poizner and Meg Whitman, Republican candidates for Governor of California, currently battling for supremacy on the issue of illegal immigration. Perhaps some time in Arizona would show them both that being governor isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be.
According to the New York Times, Gordon accepted the bet.
“We thought with humor we could show how ludicrous the law is,” the Phoenix Mayor said.
Here’s Villaraigosa’s full letter:
Mayor Gordon:
Our cities have more in common than the pursuit of a championship. We both recognize the contributions our immigrant communities have made: Los Angeles is internationally recognized for its multicultural history, and Phoenix is internationally recognized for its two-time Most Valuable Player, Steve Nash, who happens to hail from Canada.
The Suns have managed to best our Lakers in their last two meetings, but since your new immigration policy is set to kick in soon, we look forward to welcoming Steve to our team the next time he forgets to carry his passport with him. I’m sure he will fit in quite nicely as we pursue our 31st Conference Title.
In all seriousness, I do want to applaud “Los Suns” for standing up for the American values we all cherish, no matter where our families came from, no matter when they came to this great country. Nothing brings a city together like an NBA championship, although in this case, I guess you’ll just have to take our word for it.
Our wager:
Should the Suns prevail, we will humbly accept ownership of “American’s Toughest Sheriff,” Joe Arpaio, Sheriff of Maricopa County. Perhaps a stint in Los Angeles would teach him that you cannot deduce immigration status simply by looking at a person.
Should the Lakers be victorious, we will deliver to you both Steve Poizner and Meg Whitman, Republican candidates for Governor of California, currently battling for supremacy on the issue of illegal immigration. Perhaps some time in Arizona would show them both that being governor isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be.
Additionally, should the Lakers ultimately win, we will send a group of students to Dodger Stadium to behold the other great sports franchise in Los Angeles. Similarly, should the Suns best the Lakers, we call on Phoenix to treat a group of students to cheer on the Diamondbacks.
Good luck and go Lakers!
Very truly yours,
ANTONIO R. VILLARAIGOSA
Mayor
