Berkshire Hathaway employee wins $1 million in March Madness contest
- A Berkshire Hathaway employee from Flight Safety International won a $1 million prize in the 2025 March Madness bracket contest.
- The contest allowed participants to qualify by correctly predicting at least 30 of the 32 first-round games, leading to 12 employees meeting the criteria.
- This win marks the first major prize awarded since adjustments to the contest rules were made, highlighting employee engagement and company culture.
In March 2025, an employee of Flight Safety International, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, won a significant internal contest organized by billionaire Warren Buffett. This annual competition challenges participants to predict the outcomes of NCAA March Madness games, where the grand prize is awarded to those who predict a specific number of winning teams correctly. After nearly a decade of no grand prize winners, the rules of the contest were adjusted to make it easier to win. The threshold was set to correctly guess at least 30 of the first 32 games, which allowed multiple employees to qualify for the prize. This year, 12 participants achieved the required level of accuracy, where the grand prize went to the employee who correctly picked 31 out of 32 games in the first round, as well as 44 out of 45 games overall in the tournament. Additionally, eleven other employees who also guessed 31 correctly received substantial prizes of $100,000 each, creating a competitive spirit among the workforce. The March Madness contest has been a beloved tradition among Berkshire Hathaway employees since it began in 2016. Initially, the competition set a more challenging goal, requiring participants to perfectly predict the Sweet 16 games to win the major prize. However, over the years and with no winners emerging, Warren Buffett gradually relaxed the rules. Each alteration sought not only to encourage participation but also to bring excitement and engagement within the company. This shift has resulted in increased enthusiasm and has fostered a sense of community among employees. The latest win not only marks a significant achievement for the participant but also revitalizes interest in the contest and highlights Buffett's innovative approach to employee engagement. By opening the contest to more employees through adjusted criteria, Buffett reignited excitement around the NCAA tournament, demonstrating that even in a company known for its financial acumen, a little fun can go a long way.