UMBC might not have made the Sweet 16, but they still made out like bandits after upsetting Virginia.
In fact, UMBC’s value of advertising after being the first 16-seed to win a game was north of $30 million, according to Apex Marketing Group.
— UMBC Mens Basketball (@UMBC_MBB) March 19, 2018
I think it’s pretty safe to say that this was an outstanding year for UMBC. They make the tournament, get the biggest upset in the history of March Madness and get the equivalent of $33 million worth of advertising for the big win. That’s what I’d consider winning all the way around.
History has been made.#UMBC defeats #Virginia 74-54, as the No. 16 seed knocks off a No. 1 seed for the first time in the history of #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/GDIzXBA6nP
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 17, 2018
It’s really a shame that UMBC couldn’t beat Kansas State. Beating Virginia was incredible, but a spot in the Sweet 16 might have honestly broken the college basketball world.
The entire country would have gotten behind UMBC. There’d be absolutely no reason to not support the biggest underdogs to ever make it that far. They fell short of the Sweet 16, but they still came out as winners. It’s just another example of why we love March.