Winning a Super Bowl immediately changes the lives of those who are involved. Indeed, any player who is successful in climbing to the summit of American football will always be remembered and forever revered for achieving something that millions can only dream of doing. In addition to the eternal fame, there is also the small matter of the bonuses that are handed out to players which are also life-changing.
SUPER BOWL CHAMPS!!! pic.twitter.com/la5Iaddv8G
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) February 14, 2022
This year, it will be the Kansas City Chiefs’ players who will be eyeing up the chance to take home a sizeable payday given that the Super Bowl 2023 odds list them as the favourites to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy at a price of 11/4. Should Andy Reid’s men be successful in their pursuit of Super Bowl glory, then each player will be awarded a bonus of £121,000.
As for the losers of the Super Bowl, who were the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022, a runners-up cheque of £60,000 does go a long way in easing the pain of defeat.
Buffalo’s playing us next 😏 pic.twitter.com/ncON7gU6vk
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 16, 2023
Although at the time, it should be said that there is very little consolation in not coming out victorious having just put it all on the line during the greatest spectacle in American sports. Yes, when the eyes of the world are watching and the first whistle sounds, the thought of defeat will not feature in any of the players’ minds.
To the victor go the spoils
However, sport teaches us that there have to be winners, and there have to also be losers. Essentially, this is why the Super Bowl organizers have always insisted that the losing team does not go home empty-handed. It is a long-standing tradition that goes back to the first Super Bowl game in 1967. On that occasion, it was the 2023 favourites, the Kansas City Chiefs, who were soundly beaten by the Green Bay Packers 35-10. Following the conclusion of the first-ever Super Bowl fixture, the Chiefs players were each awarded a sum of £6,066 for their troubles whilst the Packers squad picked up a winning bonus of £12,132.
Admittedly, those figures seem somewhat paltry when put up against what the winners and losers get paid today but after adjusting for the increase in inflation over the resulting 56 years, there is not as much of a discrepancy as first thought. At least, by today’s financial standards, the Packers players would have received £103,534 for winning the Super Bowl. In other words, the NFL stars of the maiden Super Bowl showdown were well-remunerated after also taking home a life-changing cheque.
Further Super Bowl prize money increases are forecast
Interestingly and over the next few seasons, the allocated prize money is set to increase again with players expecting the biggest jump in recent times in order to ensure that the sum remains an enticing one.
For now, the amount is set at £121,00 for the winners of Super Bowl LVII and fans can be certain that the two franchises going head to head will leave it all out there so that they are on the right side of history.
