The Super Bowl is no stranger to spectacle and surprises, and the 2025 edition was no exception. While much of the focus is often directed toward the gameplay, the halftime performances, and the commercials, this year, the pre-game national anthem performance by Jon Batiste stole the spotlight—and not just for his vocal chops. The Louisiana native delivered a soulful and jazz-inspired version of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” but the length of his performance sparked unexpected drama in the world of prop betting.
Prop bets, quirky yet immensely popular wagers about various facets of the Super Bowl, have become an entrenched tradition. Among these, bets on the length of the national anthem are usually a fan favorite. Bettors place their stakes on whether the anthem will be over or under a predetermined time, which, for Jon Batiste’s performance, was set at 120.5 seconds. Speculation had been rife in the days leading up to the game, with arguments about Batiste’s musical style and penchant for improvisation fueling the debate.
As Batiste began the anthem at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, millions across the United States and the world tuned in, timers in hand. Wearing an elegant black suit, the celebrated Grammy and Oscar-winning artist poured his heart into the rendition. His performance, blending classic delivery with jazz flourishes, left the crowd in awe. It also left them checking their watches.
By the time Batiste completed the anthem, the official clock concluded his performance at 120.5 seconds—precisely matching the over/under mark in play. This extraordinary coincidence sent waves across sportsbooks and betting communities, reigniting old debates about how prop bet resolutions should be handled.
Confusion over the exact timing of the performance arose immediately, as some argued whether Batiste’s pause before the final note should be included in the overall timing. Supporters of the “over” bet maintained that his deliberate pause was part of the artistic expression and thus should count toward the total. On the other hand, “under” backers argued that only the time during active singing should be included. The stakes were high, as millions of dollars were riding on the result across both casual wagers and regulated sportsbooks.
Sportsbooks scrambled to provide clarity. FanDuel and Caesars Sportsbook released updates stating that they measure the anthem’s duration from the start of the first note to the end of the final vocal note, effectively ruling it as a push or voiding bets in this case due to the absence of a clear winner. This and similar announcements from other major platforms were met with both relief and frustration from the betting community. Many casual bettors took to social media to air their grievances, demanding consistency in the methodologies used to adjudicate such wagers.
Beyond the betting implications, Batiste’s performance was met with nearly universal acclaim from music critics and fans. His jazzy interpretation of “The Star-Spangled Banner” not only celebrated the heritage of his home state of Louisiana but also showcased his brilliance as a musician who brings equal parts technical skill and emotional depth to his work.
Meanwhile, experts in the gambling industry have questioned whether such outcomes harm the credibility of prop bets, particularly when ambiguous results occur. Ashley McMillan, a gambling analyst based in Las Vegas, commented, “When timing prop bets like the national anthem length, transparency is essential. Viewers need to know precisely how their bets are judged—down to seconds—to maintain trust in the system.”
As the confetti settles over Super Bowl 2025, the stir caused by this seemingly innocuous wager demonstrates the growing cultural significance of prop betting alongside the main event. What began as a novelty market to heighten fan engagement now commands serious attention and scrutiny, as millions of dollars and fan loyalty are on the line with every bet.
In the coming days, sportsbooks are likely to revisit how such moments are calculated, potentially instituting more rigorous guidelines for prop bets surrounding events like the national anthem. For Jon Batiste, however, the drama served as a backdrop to what was an undoubtedly memorable and powerful performance that added to the Super Bowl’s rich history.
