MANHATTAN — Since he can't bet the farm, Mayor Michael Bloomberg is wagering 49th Street on this weekend's showdown between the Giants and 49ers.
The East Coast versus West Coast competition is coming to a fever pitch ahead of Sunday's NFC Championship game, with trolleys, bagels and even Big Apple street names on the line.
San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee agreed to drape one of his city's trolley cars in banners from the Giants, which just walloped the 15-1 Green Bay Packers in the last round of the playoffs, and send Bloomberg some sourdough bread if the Giants beat the 49ers on Sunday.
But if San Fran is victorious, Bloomberg said he would rename 49th Street "49ers Street" for a day and send Lee a dozen bagels from Bagel Oasis in Queens.
“Just like Hakeem Nicks ran right past the Packers’ secondary, the Giants are going to breeze by the 49ers on their way to the Super Bowl,” said Mayor Bloomberg, encouraging fans to wear blue on Friday for "Big Blue Friday."
“After Sunday, Niners fans will be left with a taste as sour as their famous bread, and the Giants will have their sights set on another trophy.”
But Lee shot back: “49ers fever is sweeping our City and the entire Bay Area region, and we are so proud of our hometown team,” said Mayor Lee.
“So while I’m excited to make this bet with Mayor Bloomberg, we have no intention of losing. We’re going all the way to the Super Bowl. The Giants will have to leave their hearts and their Super Bowl hopes in San Francisco. Go Niners!”
The winner of the 6:30 p.m. game gets a trip to the Super Bowl to face either the New England Patriots or the Baltimore Ravens. This would be the first Super Bowl appearance for the Giants since they won it all in 2008.
As if beef with San Francisco isn't enough, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said the Giants should hold their victory parade in New Jersey should they win the Super Bowl, the Daily News reported.
“They play in New Jersey,” Christie reportedly said Wednesday on the Today show. “They train in New Jersey.”
Bloomberg responded to the News that when the Giants won in 2008 they held their parade in Manhattan.
"And who was holding the trophy in the front truck?" Bloomberg asked rhetorically. "Just wanted to point out — there I was.”
