ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - There's a new twist on the traditional bet between governors of states with World Series teams this year.
If the Philadelphia Phillies win, an essay winner and a guest will get a night on the town in Manhattan. If the New York Yankees win, a state resident and guest chosen by lottery will get a VIP weekend in the City of Brotherly Love.
The bet between New York Gov. David Paterson and Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell aims to promote tourism in the states.
It replaces the familiar wager between chief executives that often involves gourmet meals or well-known state delicacies.
Pennsylvanians can send a 250-word essay on why they are Phillies fans to the governor. New Yorkers can enter a lottery at the "I Love New York" Web site.
Gov. Paterson press release
GOVERNOR PATERSON AND GOVERNOR RENDELL ANNOUNCE INTER-STATE WAGER ON 2009 WORLD SERIES
Governors Promote Home-State Tourism with Bet that Will Send Resident from Winning State on All-Expenses Paid Weekend Getaway
Governor David A. Paterson and Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced the details of their inter-state wager on the 2009 World Series between the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies. Under the wager, the state with the losing team will offer a weekend vacation to a resident of the state with the winning team. Accommodations, meals and tickets for the vacation package will be donated by the respective companies, organizations and venues hosting the trip. The losing city will host the all-expenses paid weekend getaway.
“I hear the City of Philadelphia is beautiful this time of year, and I expect that after six games, a lucky winner in New York will get to tour that historic American city. But we’ll make sure they’re back in time for the ticker-tape parade on Broadway,” Governor Paterson said. “In the unlikely event that the Bronx Bombers drop the series to Philly, we may not convert the lucky winners into Yankee fans, but once they visit this great State, they will become fans of New York.”
“This should be a great World Series between two of baseball’s oldest franchises. It pits our defending champion Phillies against one of the most historically successful teams in the game. Philadelphia is looking forward to bringing home another title, and to avenging the Yankees’ sweep of the Phillies in the 1950 World Series,” Governor Rendell said.
If the Yankees win, a New Yorker and guest will enjoy the luxury accommodations at the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue, be treated to dinner at the Prime Rib, VIP access at a cultural event, as well as brunch at Parc in the inviting Rittenhouse Square during an all-access VIP weekend. If the Phillies win, a Pennsylvania resident and guest will stay at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers and will dine at the award winning 21 Club in midtown Manhattan.
Transportation will be provided by Amtrak between Philadelphia and New York.
The winner representing New York will be chosen at random through a lottery on the www.iloveny.com website. The Pennsylvania entrants must submit an essay of 250 words or less on why they are a Phillies fan with the winning essay to be selected by Governor Rendell.
The tourism industry brings approximately $53 billion into New York’s economy each year. The State is on target to attract 200 million visitors by 2020, with an economic impact exceeding $60 billion annually.
In making the announcement, Governor Paterson also highlighted the fact that just two weeks since its official launch, New York State has reached its goal of becoming the most followed state tourism page on Twitter with more than 8,000 followers. Empire State officials continue to encourage all New York fans to sign-up to follow its @I_LOVE_NY Twitter handle ( www.twitter.com/I_LOVE_NY ). Also, visit I LOVE NEW YORK’S new Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/I-LOVE-NEW-YORK/118914714168.
The 2009 Major League Baseball World Series begins tonight in the Bronx, with the New York Yankees hosting the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies in the best of seven series. The Yankees are seeking a record 27th title, while the Phillies look to avenge a loss to New York in the 1950 World Series, the only other time the two teams have faced each other in the Fall Classic.
EcapeMaker, a New York-based small business focused on getaways from New York City, will administer the contest. Winners must be 21 years or older; the sweepstakes begins today and ends on November 6, 2009.
