SEC projected to make $70 million after men's March Madness
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The SEC is projected to receive a $70 million payout after March Madness.
State of play: The NCAA distributes money based on conference success and the SEC had the most teams (14) in the men's tournament, earning the most units.
- Units are funded from money mostly generated by March Madness.
How it works: There are 132 available units and teams earn one unit for every game they play before the final. Each unit is worth approximately $2 million, according to Sportico.
Context: Units are paid out to the conferences over six years, with payments starting a year after the tournament is played.
- Most conferences distribute funds equally across schools, while others give more money to certain teams.
Zoom in: The NCAA approved a women's basketball fund this year, making it the first women's tournament with units. The pool of money is $15 million and the payout is slightly different than the men's.
Yes, but: These basketball earnings pale in comparison to how much football programs are paid.
