There's nothing new about mayors of cities with teams playing each other for a championship having a friendly wager on the outcome. The stakes are almost always something that represents the city.

But give Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa some credit for breaking the "sushi-for-clam chowder" mold for this year's NBA Finals. According to the LA Times, he's putting up actor and Lakers superfan Jack Nicholson in a proposal to Boston mayor Thomas M. Menino, and asked that Boston natives Ben Affleck and Matt Damon be on the hook if the Celtics lose.

Villaraigosa suggests that the actors would make advertisements touting the city of the winning team.

"Should the Celtics prove victorious, we will generously permit Hollywood legend and Lakers fan extraordinaire, Jack Nicholson, to don green and film a commercial touting Old North Church, the Common, and all there is to see in Boston," Villaraigosa wrote in a letter to Menino. "Should the Lakers prevail, we will gladly accept your hometown boys, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, as spokespersons for a public service announcement extolling the virtues of the City of Los Angeles, where the climate, the beaches, and the food are far superior."

We've contacted Menino's office and have been promised a response. Stay tuned for an update.

In 2008, Villaraigosa proposed swapping football teams -- the LA Avengers of the Arena Football League for the Patriots. Menino passed, saying he'd take the arena, but not the team.