MADERA - The City of Madera, California, and the City of Rutland, Massachusetts, have announced that they’ve entered into a friendly wager based on the outcome of Super Bowl LIII. Madera City Manager Arnoldo Rodriguez says the challenge came in the form of an unexpected phone call from a voice he did not recognize.

The caller on the other end of the line turned out to be Rutland’s newly installed Town Administrator, and dedicated Patriots fan, Michael Nicholson. “They are the geographic center of Massachusetts and the City of Madera is the heart of California,” said Rodriguez. “Given that both states have teams in the Super Bowl, Michael asked if we’d be interested in entertaining a friendly wager.”

The stakes are high, as the California based Los Angeles Rams seek to avenge a 17-year-old Super Bowl XXXIV defeat by the New England Patriots, a game they lost 20-17.

In a message sent to the Madera City Council, Rodriguez outlined the terms of the bet. “The losing state’s team will send the other a basket of locally produced items. There is no minimum dollar value, and no public funds will be used,” he wrote. “We plan on winning.”

While the contents of the baskets are still being determined, the City of Madera is highly regarded for the quality of its wine and nut exports. “I figure win or lose, we’re going to send them a basket as a consolation prize,” Rodriguez said with a smirk. “The Patriots may let them down, but the City of Madera will be there to lift them back up during their time of need. Go Rams!”

When asked if he had anything to add, Rutland Town Manager Michael Nicholson kept it short and sweet. “It’s on!”

###