KU researchers can discuss Super Bowl LIX topics including gambling, training, Taylor Swift

LAWRENCE — As Super Bowl LIX gets set to kick off this Sunday, storylines from both on and off the field surround one of the world’s largest sporting events. Whether the Kansas City Chiefs will claim an unprecedented third consecutive championship is only one story surrounding the big game. University of Kansas researchers are available to discuss the Super Bowl and lend their expertise.

Justin Balthrop

Justin Balthrop, assistant professor of finance, can discuss why betting on sports online presents a unique range of opportunities — and problems. This is intensified by the sheer magnitude of the Super Bowl.

“The Super Bowl offers a depth and breadth of betting market that is unmatched by any other event. In addition to the normal bets (wagering on a team, wagering on individual players to score or accumulate a specific yardage), you can bet on the coin flip, the length of the national anthem and literally hundreds of other esoteric outcomes,” Balthrop said.

His recent paper titled “Gambling Away Stability: Sports Betting’s Impact on Vulnerable Households” shows that not only does this lead to increased betting activity, it also results in higher credit card balances and a reduction in net investments. These effects are even more pronounced among financially at-risk individuals.

What makes Balthrop particularly versed in this topic is that he is also a seasoned gambler, and he combines real-world experience with his financial proficiency.

Does he have advice for those in vulnerable households who are planning to bet on this year’s game?

“Well, ideally if you are a household in a difficult financial situation you wouldn’t bet at all,” he said. “If you do bet, keep it small, within a defined budget, and try to make sure whatever you are betting on is just for fun. Don’t bet multi-way parlays or worry about off-the-wall bets like, ‘How long will the national anthem be?’ And if you are just going to bet $5 or $10 while watching with friends, you might as well just bet with them so you don’t have to pay a vig.”

To conduct an interview with Balthrop, contact Jon Niccum at 785-864-7633 or jniccum@ku.edu.

Misty Heggeness

Misty Heggeness, associate professor of public affairs & administration and associate research scientist at KU’s Institute for Policy & Social Research, can discuss one of the biggest players off the field. Pop star Taylor Swift has been a mainstay of NFL and Kansas City Chiefs coverage. Heggeness has studied Swift’s influence on both American and global economies. While dating Chiefs player Travis Kelce, Swift has brought new fans to the game for two seasons.

Heggeness, who is writing a book titled “Swiftynomics,” can discuss topics including Swift’s influence on the game, economic impacts, women in the workforce and more.

"Whether you love them or not, the Taylor and Travis love affair has a hold on us all, in part because they are modern day royalty,” Heggeness said. “Women see themselves and their aspirations in an economically sound, independent girly way, and people are drawn to the way Travis understands her stardom, wealth, power and talent and embraces it. So, while many of us will be watching for the ball, there will be many more watching for the romance. Either way, the NFL coffers will feel the love."

Heggeness has conducted research in gender economics, the care economy, poverty and inequality, and how young people take part in the labor force.

Quincy Johnson

Football players spend a lot of time in the weight room, and Quincy Johnson, assistant professor of health, sport & exercise science and assistant director of KU’s Jayhawk Athletic Performance Laboratory, can discuss football-specific strength training, long-term athletic development, the physical requirements to excel in the sport and related topics.

Johnson has published research on the specific body composition, strength and power characteristics key to different positions on the football field. The study found significant differences in body type, muscular strength and power in players of different positions that can help coaches and trainers maximize athlete preparation and performance. A former college football player, Johnson can discuss long term approaches for enhancing athletic performance by utilizing age-appropriate resistance training programs, sport science, injury screening and related topics.

“American football is a dynamic sport characterized by strength, power and speed. However, as technology advances, we are able to answer more in-depth questions about how these qualities can be measured and developed specifically to improve athletic performance over the long term,” Johnson said. “One such example of this is Patrick Mahomes’ working with strength and conditioning professional Bobby Stroupe to improve football-specific flexibility and strength since the age of 9.”

Johnson also conducts research into athletic performance in youths ages 8-13, youth athletic development and can discuss using state-of-the-art technology to conduct strength, power and speed evaluation in athletes from youth through college.

To conduct an interview with Heggeness or Johnson, contact Mike Krings at 785-864-8860 or mkrings@ku.edu.