Super Bowl 2013 is coming. NFL owner Jim Irsay pays a fan $8,500 on Twitter for winner of correct prediction of AFC Championship game.
Some NFL franchises are more generous than others.
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay posted on Twitter that he would pay out $8,500 to the first person who could correctly guess the score of the last week's Baltimore Ravens-New England Patriots game, with a one-point cushion given for both teams.
Irsay tweeted: "Again,$8500 for winner of Pats/Rave,exact score with 1 point cushion for both teams for final score/1 guess only by 630pm EST/Abby's hatpick."
According to Deadspin.com, a Colts fan named Jason told a Phish message board that he picked the game correctly with a score of Ravens 27, Patriots 13. He added that Irsay sent him a direct message after the game asking for his address and followed through by sending him a package with a letter and the cash in hundred-dollar bills. PHOTO on Deadspin.
He tweeted: "yeah fed ex, had me sign for it and had to show ID ... I had no idea it would be cash."
The winning prediction was a 27-13 Ravens victory and the final score was actually 28-13, making it solid with the one point cushion.
"Congratulations again on winning a Twitter Contest!" the letter read, per USA Today. "Enclosed you will find your prize which consists of $8,500.00. Please continue to follow me on Twitter and thank you for your continued support."
According to Deadspin, Jason wrote on PhantasyTour: "I think [Irsay] is the best owner in the NFL."
Irsay has been a vocal presence on Twitter over the past year and has also posted a number of different contests on his account, including $2,000 to the first person to predict the winner of the San Francisco 49ers-Atlanta Falcons game, the quarterback with the highest quarterback rating in the game and the total combined score of both teams.
Some others included a "conservative" AFC championship pick of $500 for the winner straight up.
Irsay likely will also give some new contests during the Super Bowl, which will air on CBS next Sunday from New Orleans. He is known as one of the most eccentric owners in the NFL and recently appeared on the NBC sitcom "Parks and Recreation" with players Reggie Wayne and Andrew Luck.
The Colts had a magical season in 2012, which is one reason why Irsay might be happy to be giving away some money. Rookie Andrew Luck had a stellar first season and helped the team reach the playoffs after going 11-5, setting the record for wins for a No. 1 overall pick at quarterback.
The team lost to the Ravens in the wild card round of the playoffs 24-9 on the road in Baltimore. The Ravens held the Colts out of the endzone, keeping them to just three field goals.