The NFL's blessing on scratchcard betting has led to another of its top teams clinching a lucrative deal with its state lottery.
The New York Jets and the state of New Jersey teamed signed an agreement this week to create an instant lottery game that includes hundreds of cash and Jets-themed prizes, reports Associated Press.
The “Jets Football Fantasy” game is expected to be available in early September 2009 as the NFL regular season begins, and will offer cash prizes ranging from $5 to $100 000. There will also be more than 400 first-prize winners who will get $300 Jets Shop gift cards.
One second-chance winner will receive lower-bowl season tickets for the team’s new stadium for 10 years.
Other prizes include being team owner for a day, in which the winner will fly to a road game on a private jet and enjoy perks such as premium seats and a meet-and-greet with owner Woody Johnson.
Former Jets receiver Wayne Chrebet was selected as an “ambassador” for the lottery partnership, and will host some second-chance winners at a Jets home game in a luxury suite.
“Calling New Jersey home and being a member of the Jets family, I think this is a natural fit for me,” said Chrebet, who played for New York from 1995-2005.
Matt Higgins, the team’s executive vice president of business operations, said the lottery tickets will also be available at the Meadowlands on gamedays.
The team is taking advantage of a new rule approved by NFL owners to allow teams to partner with local lotteries. Cincinnati, Dallas, Green Bay, Houston and Seattle are among the other NFL teams to offer instant lottery games.
