By: Josh Teeter
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV)- The NCAA basketball tournament tips off next week which will help local restaurants.
The first round of the tournament starts on March 16, and with the Arkansas Razorbacks projected to make it, there is a lot of excitement around the city according to student section member Justin DeBord.
“The last two years we have made it far in the tournament and a lot of people think we have another big run in us,” Debord said.
Not only are students and fans excited, but so are local bars. They now have the opportunity to make a lot of extra money. General manager of JJ’s Bar and Grill on Dickson, Abbi Moore, said that the games not being in Arkansas is very helpful.
“March madness brings the madness of people. Everyone wants to be around as many Razorback fans as they can cheering on the hogs, having some cold beers, so the further Arkansas goes in March Madness the better it is for us,” Moore said.
The past two seasons Arkansas made it to the elite 8 which has brought in a bunch of crazy fans and more money for bars like JJ’s. According to Moore they would generate as much revenue for a basketball game as they would for a Saturday game that is in Fayetteville.
“Everybody rushing in the doors as soon as they can to get a table to make sure they can watch the game,” Moore said.
Other local bars are benefiting from this as well. Grubs, which is also located on Dickson street, said that the last two years during March they “brought in about four times as many customers and sales.”
Bars on Dickson street are just a small portion of the country that will benefit from March Madness. Towns like Houston that will be hosting the final four this year are projected to make over $300 million in revenue from the tournament according to wallethub.com.
Beer sells across the country are also expected to be up almost 20% from the madness according to wallet hub, which shows just how much people love watching sports and drinking.
Overall the basketball tournament is great economically nation wide and state wide. Bars and restaurants with TV’s in Arkansas will benefit due to Arkansas playing in the tournament and potentially making a run.