Nike’s founder, a Walmart heiress, and the owner of the Dallas Cowboys are among the billionaires bankrolling March Madness Sweet 16 schools

• More than a dozen billionaires The main donations have made colleges hosting the elite basketball programs of the nation. Among them are the founder of Nike, a Walmart Heiress and Dallas Cowboys owner. Some bank banks prefer to win by billionaires since March on Thursday in the first March season.

Given the sports entertainment industry estimated at $ 2 trillion worthIt is not a surprise that the ultravision of America wants to throw money in the athletics programs of the nation’s tax college.

This year’s madness in the madness tournament is a healthier list of more than a tens of billionaires who put schools to schools. Some of these high-quality individuals are the names of households, while others summarize their fortune away from the center of attention.

Some of the most recognizable names performing basic donations to atmospheric schools include Nike Founder Phynight, Walmart Heir Nancy Walton Laurie, and Dallas Cowboys Learn Jones. This trio alone costs $ 62.2 billion.

But there are more than a dozen other high-quality executive directors and leaders who have invested great dollars in the madness of March, because they are their cellar or they have a geographical or family relationship with the team. And that pays a strong basketball team. In 2023, NCAA Reported a record $ 1.29 billion In general, mainly survive and promoting the March Madness Tournament. Plus is the tournament It was expected to reward one hundred million dollars to participating schools.

Fortune The sampling of schools participating in the madness of March this year has compiled. Note: This list is not exhaustive.

Frician

Knight He was once a college athlete, a runner at the University of Oregon’s Way in the 1950s while he earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting. 87-year-old Nike Founder: shared about himself $ 33.5 billion luck Alma Maths have been a few basic donations to school scientific and sports programs for years. In total, Oregon’s donations amounted to more than $ 1 billion.

The knight made Two separated $ 500 million donations Oregon of Academicians Related to Science, 2007, and his wife declared a $ 100 million gift UO ATHLETICS LEGACY FUND to support all university sports programs.

On Friday, Oregon will compete at Freedom University at 10 p.m. 10 to EST and there are won to winA number

Nancy Walton Laurie

Walton Lauri is a family legacy created Walmart, the world’s largest retailer more than 680 billion dollars of fiscal 2025 incomeIn addition to Walton Family, his personal net value is currently evaluated $ 12.5 billionA number

Walton Lauri, Walmart Cofounder Bud Walton’s youngest daughter, donated $ 25 million With her husband Bill Laurie 2001 for the new basketball area of ​​Missouri University. Arena was originally named after their daughter.

Mizzou is playing Drake University on Drake University on Thursday and is preferable to win.

Jerry Jones

This Arkansas Alum University played for the Razorbacks football team in the 1960s and continued to become a successful oil businessman and long-lasting The owner of Dallas CowboysA number of football dynasty is currently worth about $ 10 billion. Jones is the current rated net value More than $ 16 billionA number

Jones in 2015 donated $ 10.65 million The Arkansas’ Sports Program, which he entrusted to success in business.

“I would not be where I am today, without those in life, learned as a student-athlete Arkansas University,” said Jones.

Arkansas Thursday 7 PM. Kansas Jayhaji will play at 10. Kansas are expected to lead to Arkansas.

Larry Ellison

Elison agreeable Tech giant Oracle: and now the world’s fifth richest man is $ 172 billion net worthA number

He too It is reported Michigan University helped the name, image and similar sports package from Louisiana State University Michigan from Louisiana State University Michigan.

While Elson, the 80th anniversary did not have a preliminary contact with Wolverines, his 33-year-old woman. WholiMichigan is alum.

Wolverines plays on UC San Diego on Thursday at 10pm and is preferable to win.

Daniel Gilbert

Gilbert Cofounded Mortgage Beoth Missile companieswhich is the current market cap, about $ 30 billion. He’s worth estimated $ 31.3 billionHe made him the richest man in the world today. Gilbert also has the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers.

He donated $ 15 million In 2016, Michigan State University should be used to the school basketball program. And he and his wife Jennifer attended Michigan province and said that the school was “played a big role in our two.”

On Friday, Michigan State is faced with the University of Bryant. The “Spartans” of Michigan State are expected to win.

This story was originally shown Fortune.com