Kentucky, Connecticut governors offer wager on NCAA Championship game

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 7, 2014) – Gov. Steve Beshear and Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy are wagering on their home teams in Monday’s NCAA Championship men’s basketball game.

Beshear bet a fully stocked Kentucky bourbon bar that the University of Kentucky Wildcats will win; Gov. Malloy is wagering Connecticut wine, beer and chocolate for a Huskies victory.

“The Wildcats are having an unbelievable tournament, with another remarkable win in their Final Four game against Wisconsin Saturday night,” Beshear said. “The Wildcats’ momentum will continue tonight and carry them past UConn, to UK’s ninth NCAA men’s basketball championship. Gov. Malloy is a terrific governor and friend, but come Tuesday morning, he will be shipping his wager to Bourbon and Wildcat Country.”

“The UConn men, led by Coach Kevin Ollie, are in the midst of an amazing season, and our whole state is behind them for the win,” Malloy said. “The Wildcats are a formidable team, but I am confident that the Huskies will bring home another championship title.”

If the Wildcats win, Malloy said he would send wine from the Jones Family Farms in Shelton, beer from Two Roads Brewing Company in Stratford and Munson’s chocolates.

The Kentucky bourbon basket – created from a half-barrel from Maker’s Mark – will include some of the state’s best premium bourbon brands – Woodford Reserve, Maker’s Mark, Wild Turkey, Jim Beam, Bulleit Bourbon, Four Roses, Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Town Branch, Willett, Old Pogue, Michter’s and Corsair Bourbon. The barrel also will include barware, glasses, apparel and accessories to conduct a priceless bourbon tasting. The basket is provided by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.

“We’re so confident of a Wildcat victory, we’re upping the bet with four more bottles of Kentucky’s signature spirit,” said Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. “This is proof that Kentucky does two things better than anyone else — bourbon and basketball. This basket is staying in the Bluegrass with the championship trophy where both belong.”

The Cats will tip off against the Huskies tonight at 9:10 p.m. at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.