North Carolina AD reportedly received death threats after NCAA Tournament bracket release
Context:
The NCAA Tournament, known as March Madness, often leads to controversy over which teams are included or excluded from the tournament. This year, significant backlash arose after the North Carolina Athletic Director and chairman of the selection committee, Bubba Cunningham, received death threats and hostile emails from fans, particularly from West Virginia, whose team was snubbed. Fans expressed outrage at North Carolina's inclusion over other prominent teams like West Virginia, Indiana, and Boise State. The backlash was so severe that the West Virginia Attorney General intervened, demanding answers from the NCAA. Despite the threats and demands for an explanation, Cunningham has not commented on these incidents publicly.
Dive Deeper:
The NCAA Tournament's selection process led to widespread dissatisfaction among fans, particularly those of the West Virginia Mountaineers, Indiana Hoosiers, and Boise State Broncos, who were left out of the tournament field.
Bubba Cunningham, North Carolina's Athletic Director and the selection committee's chairman, became the target of hostility following the bracket announcement, receiving derogatory emails and death threats specifically from West Virginia fans.
The emails, which were made public by WRAL News, included harsh language and direct threats, some of which mentioned Cunningham's family members, highlighting the intensity of the backlash.
An email from West Virginia's Attorney General to the NCAA, which was forwarded to Cunningham, underscored the public's demand for transparency and justification regarding the selection process.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey held a press conference seeking answers about the selection committee's decisions, reflecting the political and public pressure mounted on the NCAA.
Despite the gravity of the threats and the public outcry, Cunningham has chosen not to make any public statements regarding the situation, maintaining silence on the matter.
The controversy underscores the emotional and sometimes volatile nature of sports fandom, particularly during high-stakes events like the NCAA Tournament.
Every year, the NCAA Tournament - or March Madness - is an exciting time for college basketball fans and even casuals. However, at the same time, there are plenty of teams snubbed from the Field of 68, and this year was no different.
After the bracket was revealed on Selection Sunday, there was a loud uproar from fans of certain programs. The big snubs included the West Virginia Mountaineers, Indiana Hoosiers and Boise State Broncos, among others.
North Carolina Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham is the chairman of the selection committee, and a new report revealed that he received threatening emails and even death threats from West Virginia fans, per Brian Murphy of WRAL News.
"The emails, viewed by WRAL News, poured into Cunningham’s UNC account after the tournament field was announced in the evening of March 16. They called him a 'scumbag,' a 'hypocrite,' 'trash' and much worse. An email from West Virginia’s attorney general to the NCAA — forwarded to Cunningham — said the public demanded answers.
"At least two messages included direct death threats. Others mentioned family members by name."
MORE: Why West Virginia, Indiana, Ohio State, Boise State missed 2025 NCAA Tournament
Murphy also reported that "hundreds of angry West Virginia University fans" sent emails after the Mountaineers were snubbed from the field.
Moreover, fans in general weren't happy that North Carolina earned a spot over those others, especially with Cunningham as the chairman of the committee.
After the snub, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey asked for answers in a press conference.
As of now, Cunningham has declined to comment on the threats, per Murphy.
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