Jay-Z might be feeling the sting of Game 3 of the NBA Finals more than anyone on the Oklahoma City Thunder roster. The hip-hop icon reportedly lost $1 million after the Indiana Pacers pulled off a 116-107 victory on Wednesday night, putting them ahead 2-1 in the series.
According to TMZ Sports, the 25-time Grammy winner was so confident in OKC’s chances that he placed a massive bet through Fanatics Sportsbook, predicting that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder would win the championship in just five games. That confidence started to look shaky after Tyrese Haliburton hit the game-winner in Game 1. But when the Thunder bounced back in Game 2, Jay-Z’s wager seemed back on track.
That all came crashing down in Indianapolis. With the Pacers grabbing the win and momentum, Hov’s shot at cashing out $3.3 million disappeared. The bet is effectively dead, and so is the dream of OKC wrapping it up early.
Still, it’s not a financial crisis for the 55-year-old mogul. Forbes currently estimates Jay-Z’s net worth at $2.5 billion. Plus, he’s more than just a high-stakes bettor; he helped launch Fanatics Sportsbook alongside Michael Rubin in 2023, the same platform he used to place this bet. So, while most people would feel that million-dollar loss for a long time, for Jay-Z, it’s likely just a small bump in the road.
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