Why March Madness Owns Us

Mar 23, 2026 01:43PM ● By Jason Harper

Every year around this time, something strange happens across America. Sales dip. Productivity slows. Brackets show up everywhere—offices, classrooms, group chats. People who couldn’t name a single college player in November suddenly have strong opinions about a low-seed placement from a school they’ve never heard of. March Madness doesn’t just arrive. It takes over.