Geno Auriemma and Dan Hurley. Credits: Imagn

Furniture Store On The Verge Of Losing $50-Million Thanks To Wild March Madness Offer

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Orlando Silva | Last updated Apr 2, 2026 2:05 PM ET

The UConn Huskies men’s and women’s teams are on a mission again. Both teams advanced to their respective 2026 NCAA Tournament Final Fours. The journey was different for each team, and they landed with different expectations after an entertaining Elite Eight round.

Geno Auriemma’s team had no mercy on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, taking them out 70-52. Hannah Hidalgo’s 22 points couldn’t stand a chance against Sarah Strong (21 points and seven rebounds), Blanca Quiñonez (20 points and eight rebounds) and Azzi Fudd (13 points).

On the other hand, Dan Hurley’s squad had to play hard to beat No. 1 Duke Blue Devils. After entering halftime down 44-29, the Huskies responded with a 44-28 second half, securing the win on a wild game-winning shot.

Both teams are one game away from the national championship, which could mean a $50 million loss for a furniture store.

How Can Both UConn Basketball Teams Make A Furniture Store Lose A Lot Of Money?

March Madness. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

A Massachusetts-based furniture company is two games away from refunding all the purchases made between January 20 and March 1. According to Amanda Christovich of Front Office Sports, that is about $50 million worth of sales revenue.

Despite the high risk, the store roots for both teams to advance to the championship game.

“People think, ‘Oh, Eliot doesn’t want them to win,’” former president Eliot Tatelman, who recently passed the major furniture retailer down to his sons, said. “Of course I want them to win! We buy insurance!”

The company, founded by Tatelman’s grandfather, was sold to Berkshire Hathaway, run by Warren Buffett, in 1999. Tatelman came up with a similar idea in 2007. He promised refunds if the Boston Red Sox won the 2007 World Series, which they did. The win resulted in about $30 million in free items.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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