Ever since the internet was created in 1989, betting enthusiasts have wagered on the Super Bowl. In the beginning of the decade, fans betting on the New England Patriots enjoyed the luxury of the team winning three of a possible four Super Bowl finals. The Patriots three titles put them in the top half of the league amongst the elite teams capable of winning multiple championships.

In 1967 and 1968, the Super Bowl was dominated by the NFL as they would easily handle the competition posed to them by the AFL. However from 1969 until the merger in the latter half of 1970, the AFL proved to be an equally dominant league winning the final two “Super Bowls” before the merger took place.

Over the years, the scheduling of the Super Bowl game went from the second week in January after a long 14 week regular season and playoffs, to the current first Sunday of February format, after a grueling 17 week and three round playoff format. This change in format took place eight years after the two leagues first merged in 1978 and has continued since.

The merger and creation of the Super Bowl game are commonly associated with former NFL commissioner Peter Rozelle, as without him there may be no present day NFL. One of the traditions associated with the NFL is the Vince Lombardi trophy. Vince Lombardi was a legendary Green Bay Packer coach who guided the Packers to the first two Super Bowl championships and three of the final five NFL only championships, in 1961, 1962 and 1965. When Lombardi died of cancer before the start of the 1970 inaugural NFL merged season, Rozelle chose to name the championship trophy after his dear friend. As a result of winning the Super Bowl game, the players on the winning team are presented with the Vince Lombardi trophy, signifying their achievement. The trophy is designed as a silver football on top of a beam.