It’s that time of year again. Time to break out the crystal ball, the homemade algorithms, ESP, ESPN and all the other tools we use to fill out our NCAA tournament brackets each year. Here for your convenience, are 13 of the most reputable March Madness tournament you pick ‘em contests, along with their grand prizes and links to get you there fast. Most contests close down participation at the tip-off of the first game later this week.
Please note that most of the below contests have additional prizes and prize levels in addition to the Grand Prizes listed. Also be aware that some are actually random drawings even though they lead participants to believe the contestants with the best picks win. And some of the below allow participants to revise their picks after each round of play. And finally, and less likely but worth warning about, some contests are presented as independent, separate contests while actually being one large contest with multiple sponsors and websites.
For those reasons, this column is listing only the most reputable of all the contests out there. Sites like yahoo and CBS pioneered the March Madness tournaments roughly two decades ago and are considered the granddaddies of them all. Still, be sure to read the rules and remember that it’s illegal to hold a contest without listed rules, listed prizes, listed eligibility, and the process by which winners are selected.
Lastly, most of the below contests will only award prizes to adults 18 years of age or older. So for all you kids out there who think you’ve got the magic picks, ask your parents to fill out their name, date of birth and personal information for you, just in case you really do win a million dollars. Just don’t do it without their permission.
Remember, some contests stop accepting changes and new brackets at the tip-off of the First Round play-in games on Tuesday, while most cut-off participation at tip-off of the Second Round on Thursday.
2013 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament you pick ‘em Contests
ESPN Tournament Challenge
Grand Prize: $10,000 Best Buy gift card
Yahoo Tourney Pick ‘em
Grand Prize: $10,000
CBS Sports Bracket Challenge
Grand Prize: 2014 Final Four trip and $6,000
Fox Sports Bracket Challenge
Grand Prize: $1 million perfect bracket
The Score Bracket Buster
Grand Prize: $100,000 perfect bracket
NBC Sports It’s Madness
First Prize: $3,000
Sports Illustrated Bracket Challenge
Prizes not specifically detailed
Houlihan’s $100,000 Bracket Challenge
Grand Prize: $100,000 perfect bracket
Las Vegas Sun $1,000,000 March Fever Challenge
Grand Prize: $1,000,000 perfect bracket
Alabama Media Group, AL.com Bracket Challenge
Grand Prize: $10,000
Cleveland.com Bracket Challenge
Grand Prize: $10,000
K94.5 FM Bracket Challenge
Grand Prize: $1,000,000 perfect bracket
AM 1400 ESPN Bracket Challenge
Grand Prize: $1,000,000 perfect bracket
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