Fenway Sports Bar Recovers $38,500 After Bruins First-Round Exit
Mike's sports bar had been a Bruins institution for 15 years. When the 2022-23 Bruins set the NHL record for wins, expectations were sky-high. Mike staffed up, stocked extra inventory, and prepared for a deep playoff run. But he also hedged — just in case.
Lost Revenue
$42,000
Missed playoff games
Hedge Payout
$38,500
92% recovery
Net Impact
-$3,500
vs. -$42K unhedged
What Happened
The record-setting Bruins were eliminated in Round 1 by the Florida Panthers. Mike lost 12 potential playoff games worth of revenue. But his hedge paid out $38,500 — recovering 92% of what he would have made.
"Everyone thought I was crazy hedging against the best team in NHL history. But that's exactly when you hedge — when everyone else thinks it's impossible. That $38K saved my summer."
Mike R.
Owner, Fenway-Area Sports Bar
Three-Location Portfolio Hedge Saves 20% on Protection Costs
Seaport Hospitality Group operates three high-volume restaurants in Boston's Seaport District. With combined playoff exposure of $180K across Celtics and Bruins seasons, they needed a smarter approach than hedging each location separately.
Total Exposure
$180K
3 locations combined
Hedge Cost
$28,800
16% of exposure
Savings
$7,200
vs. individual hedges
The Strategy
By correlation-adjusting their hedge across both Celtics and Bruins, the group reduced their hedge cost by 20%. Both teams made the playoffs in 2024 — the hedge expired, but they captured the full $180K in playoff revenue with complete peace of mind.
"Managing three locations is stressful enough without worrying about which teams make the playoffs. The portfolio approach let us protect everything at once — and saved us $7K in the process."
Jennifer L.
Operations Director, Seaport Hospitality Group
North End Bar Offsets $25K Loss When Red Sox Miss October
Tony's bar has been a Red Sox gathering spot since 1987. When the 2023 Sox started slow, Tony saw the writing on the wall — but couldn't afford to lose another October. He hedged early, when "miss playoff" shares were still cheap.
Hedge Cost
$2,100
Entry at 35% miss odds
Payout
$21,000
10x return
Net Profit
$18,900
Offset lost revenue
What Happened
The Red Sox finished 78-84 and missed the playoffs entirely. Tony's bar lost an estimated $25K in October revenue. But his $2,100 hedge paid out $21,000 — covering most of the loss and keeping his year profitable.
"I've been through too many losing seasons to not protect myself anymore. That $2,100 was the best money I spent all year. Turned a disaster into a manageable hit."
Tony M.
Owner, North End Neighborhood Bar
Brookline Pub Navigates Patriots Rebuild with $15K Hedge Payout
For 20 years, Patriots playoff runs meant packed houses every January. But with the rebuild underway, Sarah knew 2023 might be different. She hedged against a playoff miss — and it paid off when the Pats finished 4-13.
Hedge Cost
$1,800
Entry at 25% miss odds
Payout
$15,000
8.3x return
Revenue Protected
$18,000
Estimated playoff loss
What Happened
The Patriots had their worst season in decades. January was quiet — no playoff crowds, no big game atmosphere. But Sarah's hedge paid out $15,000, covering 83% of her estimated playoff revenue loss.
"I grew up watching Brady win championships. I knew those days were over, at least for now. The hedge let me plan for reality while still hoping for the best."
Sarah K.
Owner, Brookline Sports Pub