Florida Lawyer Bets $1M on Big Game, Pledges Winnings to Cancer Research

Florida attorney Dan Newlin is putting a very public stake on this year’s championship game, but the real focus is not the final score. During a press conference, Newlin said he plans to place a $1 million bet on the matchup between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. 

If the wager pays off, every dollar of the winnings will go to pediatric cancer research at Nemours Children’s Hospital.

A Bet to Spark Conversation

For Newlin, the decision is not about attention or bravado. It is rooted in personal experience, as his daughter’s grade school best friend, Haley, has spent years fighting cancer, and that reality reshaped how he thinks about giving back. 

He has supported Nemours for years and says this bet is simply another way to help families facing the same fear and uncertainty he has seen up close.

Newlin went on to say that he had already contacted leaders at Nemours Children’s Hospital and received their full support. His hope is that the bet does more than raise money. He wants it to spark conversation and encourage others to think creatively about how they can support causes that matter to them. 

Placing the wager through Hard Rock Bet, with -230 odds, he framed it as a reminder that even something as ordinary as a sports bet can be redirected toward something meaningful.

“It’s a Tough Choice“

As for the game itself, Newlin admitted it was not an easy call. 

“It’s a tough choice where I’m going to lay my $1 million wager. The game could go either way, but it’s just exciting to do something super cool that can inspire and shine a light on such an important cause like pediatric cancer research.” 

He followed that with a familiar confidence. “I rarely lose; I’ve spent my life winning, and I plan on winning this for the kids. They have absolutely nothing to worry about.”

If he wins, he will make a profit of $434,782. However, win or lose, Newlin made it clear that his commitment does not end on game day. “Regardless of how this bet turns out, my contributions to Nemours won’t stop until a cure for pediatric cancer is found. If we don’t prevail, the kids and cancer research still win.”

That perspective sums up the effort. For him, this is less about beating the odds and more about standing with children and families who fight much tougher battles every day.More recently, Newlin’s profile has grown on the national stage. He was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the United States ambassador to Colombia, a move that added a diplomatic chapter to an already varied career.