Never short of star power, Los Angeles is willing to deal one away. In a friendly wager, of course.
Taking the old custom of rival mayors placing bets on teams in a championship series and adding a slight twist to it, Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has offered to wager the services of Academy Award-winning actor and Lakers superfan Jack Nicholson if the Celtics win, the Boston Globe reports. If the Celtics lose, then Boston mayor Thomas Menino must forfeit native sons Ben Affleck and Matt Damon to L.A..
In a letter sent to the Menino’s office, the details of the wager were specified.
"Should the Celtics prove victorious, we will generously permit Hollywood legend and Lakers fan extraordinaire, Jack Nicholson, to don green and film a commercial touting Old North Church, the Common, and all there is to see in Boston," Villaraigosa wrote. "Should the Lakers prevail, we will gladly accept your hometown boys, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, as spokespersons for a public service announcement extolling the virtues of the City of Los Angeles, where the climate, the beaches, and the food are far superior."
According to a copy of the letter in the Los Angeles Times, the wager sets out further stipulations.
"Additionally, should the Lakers fall short in their quest, we will humbly set aside a few minutes in the middle of every fourth quarter for 'Gino Time'," the letter read. "Conversely, should the Celtics finally let the Lakers tie their record, we fully expect the TD Garden to air the footage of Magic Johnson’s game-winning 'baby hook' from Game 4 of the 1987 Finals."
The Globe contacted Mayor Menino's office and was promised a response.
