Staten Island bar and Kentucky worker claim bracket invention

A Staten Island bar, Jody’s Club Forest, claims to be the birthplace of the NCAA Tournament bracket. In 1976, the bar started a $10 pool for picking Final Four teams, which grew into a multi-million dollar contest by 2006. Meanwhile, a Kentucky postal worker, Bob Stinson, also asserts he created the first bracket in 1978. He used his softball league's format to develop a college basketball pool, which he promoted during his travels, leading to a larger participation. Jody’s Club Forest ended its pool in 2006 after an IRS investigation into tax issues. Despite its closure, the bar remains a popular spot for basketball fans, with its history tied to the evolution of March Madness betting.