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In an unprecedented turn of events, an employee from FlightSafety International, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, has emerged victorious in the company’s internal NCAA bracket contest, claiming Warren Buffett’s $1 million grand prize. This marks the first time in nearly a decade that the coveted prize has been awarded.
The anonymous winner astounded the competition by accurately predicting 31 out of 32 games in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, widely known as March Madness. This achievement comes after years of adjustments to the contest rules designed to make it easier to win, with Buffett himself announcing the victory in a recent statement.
Warren Buffett, now 94 and a long-time fan of Creighton basketball, initially structured the contest to reward anyone who could achieve a perfect prediction of the Sweet 16 teams. However, after the $1 million prize went unclaimed in previous years, the rules were revised in 2024 to allow participants to disregard the results of matchups involving No.1 and No.2 seeded teams. Despite this adjustment, no one succeeded in claiming the prize until this year.
For the 2025 contest, further modifications were made, enabling participants to win if they guessed at least 30 of the tournament’s first-round games correctly. This strategic change paid off, with a total of 12 Berkshire employees successfully forecasting 31 of the 32 games. Among them, the grand prize winner uniquely identified the first 29 games correctly before facing a loss. That individual ultimately concluded the tournament by accurately choosing 44 out of 45 games overall.
In recognition of their impressive performances, the other eleven contestants who reached the 31-game mark will each receive a consolation prize of $100,000. This year’s competition not only highlights the excitement of March Madness but also showcases the enthusiasm and prowess of Berkshire Hathaway employees in this annual tradition.
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