SPORTS

Super Bowl 2025: The news, the impact, the bets, and the ads

by Deni in Sports

February 13, 2025

9 minutes to read

The 2025 Super Bowl may happen on the field, but its real legacy is defined by the culture off the field. We live in an era where sports events are as much about advertising as the game itself, and the Super Bowl this year is no different. You will see innovative campaigns and bizarre prop bets.

Let’s take a look behind the scenes and discover what the hype is all about.

The new era of Super Bowl advertising

The Super Bowl is a game-changing event in itself. Brands have been preparing for the whole year, advertising agencies are in a frenzy to produce viral-worthy teasers and unconventional collaborations. Now, the pressure was even greater, especially after the cap on sports adverts during last year's Super Bowl. So, what are the highlights?

Kanye on blast

One of the most controversial ads of the night was by Kanye West. The ad, which he states he “spent all the money for on his new teeth”, was shot entirely by West as he sat in a dentist’s chair. Filmed on an iPhone, West stumbled through his ad, which pointed viewers to his website.

On the site, only one item was being sold: A white t-shirt with a swastika on it.

After an outcry from the internet, the website’s hosting has now been terminated, and the site is down. Others are also calling for West to have his social accounts shut down after posts from the rapper that stated: “I’m a Nazi” and where he called Hitler “fresh”.

Beauty industry and sports

Just like every other product and event, the Super Bowl is no exception, with commercials that spark conversations amongst the people as brands pull out all the stops with advertising spots worth millions of dollars. We are approaching a new era of sports where advertisers embrace storytelling that connects with various audiences.

Some of the brands that play a significant role in this evolution are beauty brands, with companies like NYX Professional Makeup incorporating elements of self-expression and empowerment into their campaigns. NYX partnered with DraftKings, which led to an advertisement that melds makeup artistry with the thrill of gaming.

Celebrity cameos and nostalgic tributes

Celebrity appearances further enriched the commercial landscape of the Super Bowl. When we think back, one moment stands out, which is when Chris Candy, the son of the late John Candy, made a brief appearance in Ben Affleck’s Dunkin’ commercial.

Chris can be seen mingling as part of the “Burger Chain Gang” during a Java Jam event, a subtle tribute to fans who grew up knowing his father’s work. This was definitely an unexpected part, and the strategy behind the celebrity moment was clear as they tapped into the power of nostalgia and pop culture to bridge generational gaps.

Super Bowl advertisements are transforming into a place where legacy and modernity meet. One lesson to be learned is that personal and intergenerational narratives can improve your mindset about a major event.

The strategy and execution of Super Bowl ads

Behind every Super Bowl ad is a carefully thought-out strategy, months of hard work, and a pinch (or more) of creativity. This year, they once again marked a shift in advertising trends, so we broke down the tactics that made them stand out.

Marketing meets storytelling

Within our fast-paced, digitalised world, the Super Bowl is not about traditional product promotion but more about storytelling. The 2025 advertising campaigns were more focused on emotional, cultural and some even political levels. It is clear that the ads were created to spark conversations and keep people talking long after the final whistle blew.

Brands turned their aim not just to what consumers wanted to see but what they needed to feel with a subtle yet powerful message.

Technological innovation and interactive advertising

Augmented reality (AR) and interactive digital campaigns were in the spotlight. Because AI-focused content is so prominent, several major tech companies are using this platform to show how innovative they can be, with some 30-second spots sold for $8 million each. OpenAI is also making its Super Bowl debut with its first television commercial.

Regarding sports analysis and betting for the Super Bowl, Next Gen Stats provided real-time insights during the game, SportsLine’s AI PickBot offered money-line picks, and ChatGPT, Grok, and Deepseek were asked to predict the winner.

It is safe to say that AI is changing the whole experience for fans, whether it is in the stadium or at home. These AI-powered insights, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are transforming fan engagement as they offer a whole new world for players to interact with the game. All this fuels the discussion of whether AI tools are helping or hurting humanity even further.

The role of social media ads

When we mention advertising, you immediately think of social media, which is not far-fetched. The Super Bowl advertising will be incomplete without trending hashtags and memes popping up on every major platform. Brands monitor real-time conversations and respond with somewhat sarcastic and relevant posts. Some brands have polls, giveaways and exclusive digital content to keep audiences engaged.

In many ways, the success of a Super Bowl commercial is not measured by its immediate viewership but by its digital footprint.

Record-setting wagers and bizarre prop bets during the betting frenzy

The Super Bowl captivates millions of viewers, and beyond the excitement of the game itself, you will find a variety of betting opportunities, also known as prop bets, which allow fans to engage with the event in innovative ways. Let’s delve into some of the prop bets, including some bizarre ones.

To kick off our betting journey, we will start with the most popular, which is betting on the total number of penalties in the Super Bowl 2025. Historically, the most penalties in a Super Bowl game were 12, so to give you a tip before placing your bet, consider the teams’ penalty record throughout the season.

Another fan-favourite is “the first team to score a touchdown” prop bet. This prop bet offers an exciting way for you to engage with the game’s early action. Recent trends suggest focusing on the team with the stronger offence, and it is also wise to consider the team with the highest scoring average during the regular season.

Looking for some extra excitement during the game? Why not bet on the total number of commercials during the Super Bowl? Sportsbooks offer over/under bets on the number of commercials, with ranges from 80 to 100. This prop bet combines the Super Bowl with advertising, making it a unique wager.

The most talked-about prop bet is about the duration of the national anthem. Sportsbooks have set an over/under line at 120.5 seconds. 63% of tickets and 61% of the money were on the over. Bettors were on the edge of their seats while eagerly awaited every second of the performance.

Bizarre and outlandish bets

Are you a fan of flawless events? One of the strangest bets is about the unexpected mishaps during the broadcast. Some of these “mishaps” can include camera malfunctions and an accidental “slip-up” by a commentator.

Another unusual bet is guessing the colour of the liquid poured on the winning head coach. Usually, purple is not a favourite amongst bettors, with good reason. Players clearly like the purple flavour, but superstitions have to be taken into account when placing a bet. After winning back-to-back Super Bowls with purple Gatorade, they believe they won’t continue the purple trend in 2025.

The silliest prop bet is “Will the power go out during the Super Bowl?”. This bet makes fun of what happened at the previous Super Bowl in the Superdome in New Orleans when the power went out.

These unusual bets highlight a broader trend in a market where almost any observable event can be turned into a wager, and this is because fans are not viewers anymore. They are active participants.

Placing bets during the Super Bowl is not just about the thrill of winning. It is about being part of the sporting community. Social media is buzzing with excitement as people share their match predictions, celebrate wins and debate about fairness. The status of Super Bowl is not a sporting event but a cultural "wonder" that brings the community together.

The cultural impact of Super Bowl 2025

Super Bowl commercials have always mirrored the culture of fans, and 2025 proved it yet again. Advertisers took risks, not only by promoting products but also by backing causes and addressing societal issues in subtle ways.

In many ways, these advertisements responded to the changing landscape of our expectations, as modern viewers demanded authenticity and social relevance. The Super Bowl ads have set a new benchmark for how advertisers can mix business with culture.

The cultural shift changes the broader media and consumer behaviour as audiences are expecting more immersive experiences that reach beyond traditional television. The commercial and betting innovations of 2025 are undoubtedly shaping how major events will look in the future.

Lessons learned for future events

  • Integrating real-time digital interactivity points to a future where live events will become platforms for debates and participation.
  • The success of creative prop bets shows us how important innovation and creativity are to keep audiences engaged.
  • Brands must keep on doing what they did with the advertisements, as the power of storytelling is one clear takeaway. The 2025 Super Bowl showed us that when brands invest in creative storytelling, they not only capture attention but also leave a mark on popular culture.

Advertisers have learned that the magic lies in creating narratives that resonate personally and spark conversations and reflection long after. Bettors have embraced an era of creativity where even the most bizarre thing can be bet on, and fans have become active participants in something so big that it transcends the boundaries of traditional sport.

As we move on, the trends of Super Bowl 2025 will serve as a blueprint for future sporting events. While the score on the field may fade into history, the stories behind the scenes, the record-breaking bets and the shared moments will continue to shape the narrative of sports and entertainment for years to come.

Super Bowl 2025 was not just a game. It celebrated creativity and the evolving spirit of a connected society.

Article by Deni

CasinoWow Contributor

Hi, I’m Deni and I am here to ensure you have all the information you need to make informed decisions about online casinos and games and, of course, have fun while doing it. I do so through in-depth research and a keen eye for detail resulting in comprehensive reviews and engaging articles. Let’s explore the iGaming world together!

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