March Madness is here! The most electrifying tournament in U.S. college basketball brings together the best NCAA teams in an intense showdown filled with emotion, surprises, and incredible plays. But it’s not just in the U.S. where this competition grabs attention — more and more Brazilians and Portuguese fans are following the event, and this year we have representatives from both countries in action!
Brazilians and Portuguese Players in March Madness
From Brazil, athletes like Iza Nicoletti (Fairfield), Catarina Ferreira (Oregon St.), Raiane Dias (Florida St.), Bella Nascimento (William Mary Tribe) and Heloísa Carrera (Ole Miss) secured spots in the NCAA women’s tournament.
Meanwhile, Portugal also stands out in the women’s bracket, with Clara Silva (Kentucky), Fatumata Djalo (Ole Miss), Inês Vieira (Utah) and several other players ready to shine. In the men’s tournament, Rúben Prey (St. John’s) will be representing Portugal.
The Rise of Women’s Basketball
In recent years, the NCAA women’s tournament has been gaining more attention and growing audiences. With talented athletes and thrilling games, the competition has become a key stage for future basketball stars.
The growing popularity of women’s basketball is reflected in the numbers. The 2023 March Madness final between LSU and Iowa drew a record 9.9 million viewers, becoming the most-watched game in women’s college basketball history. Stars like Caitlin Clark (Iowa) and Angel Reese (LSU) are taking the sport to new heights, signing million-dollar NIL deals and dominating social media. This year’s tournament is expected to break even more records and further fuel the global growth of women’s basketball.
In 2024, for the first time, the women’s championship game outperformed the men’s in viewership, with 4 million more viewers. Additionally, 71% of U.S. households tuned into March Madness, with the average household watching 10.5 hours of the tournament.
Fun Facts About March Madness
🔹 Advertising Revenue: March Madness generates over $1 billion in annual ad revenue. Major brands like Pizza Hut, The Home Depot, and Capital One are among the top advertisers.
🔹 Ad Slot Prices: In 2014, a 30-second ad during the men’s championship game cost up to $1.4 million.
🔹 Economic Impact: The tournament drives the sports betting industry, with $3.1 billion legally wagered and around 56 million Americans participating in bracket contests.
🔹 Broadcast Rights: CBS and TNT Sports pay $1.1 billion annually for men’s tournament broadcasting rights, while ESPN invests $65 million to air the women’s tournament.
Hoopers, ESPN Brasil & DAZN Portugal Partnership
This year, Hoopers is producing exclusive content around March Madness in partnership with ESPN Brasil and DAZN Portugal, the main broadcasters of the tournament in each respective country. The initiative aims to expand the tournament’s reach and engage even more college basketball fans.
Bracket Challenge – Join the Madness!
To make things even more exciting, Hoopers has created two Bracket Challenge groups — one for the men’s and one for the women’s tournament! Now’s your chance to test your predictions and see if you can guess the March Madness champions. Stay tuned to Hoopers’ social media channels for more content, analysis, and exclusive coverage of the craziest tournament in college basketball!
