Cash Carolina: UNC’s Controversial Bid Paying Off for the ACC

North Carolina keeps cashing in following the basketball program’s controversial selection by the men’s NCAA tournament selection committee chaired by Tar Heels athletic director Bubba Cunningham.

UNC’s 95–68 win over San Diego State in the First Four earned the ACC another $2 million as part of the NCAA’s March Madness units payout system. That’s on top of the $2 million the ACC received for UNC making the tournament field. No. 11 UNC will play No. 6 Ole Miss on Friday in the first round.

Before the majority of teams play their first game, UNC has already doubled its tournament units payout, which will be spread out across the ACC. ACC champion Duke received the conference’s automatic bid that comes with $2 million, and Clemson and Louisville also made $2 million each for the ACC by getting March Madness berths.

Up to four more unit payments are available for each of the ACC’s schools, as advancing to subsequent rounds of the tournament until the Final Four earns another $2 million each time.

The Bubba Conundrum

Cunningham, who will receive a $67,905.66 bonus for UNC making the men’s tournament, said he was not part of the discussions to include the Tar Heels—and exclude West Virginia, the first team left out of the bracket—despite being the committee chair.

Beyond the tournament bid bonus (per his contract, one-twelfth of his $814,868 annual salary), Cunningham could cash in further if UNC makes a March Madness run:

• Sweet 16 appearance: $50,000
• Final Four appearance: $75,000
• Wins national championship: $100,000

Cunningham would receive the highest payment of the scenarios above, not a separate payment for each achievement.