“Go Pokes!” “Rock Chalk!”
When the Big 12 tips off in Kansas City, it’s not just the fans who cheer.
As team chants echo off the roof of the KC Power & Light District, the cha-ching of cash registers fills the floor; the Big 12 is big business.
McFadden’s Sports Saloon, in the heart of the action, expects to sell at least 100 kegs worth of beer during the tournament, which runs through Saturday, March 13.
WATCH: Go behind the scenes in the video player above!
"You have so many moving parts, so many people, like anything big it starts four or five months out with a lot of meetings," explained Mike Ferger.
We gained access to the restricted storage area that holds most of the beer that supplies bars and restaurants.
"The temperature needs to be kept constant," said Ferger. "We have multi units, and the goal is to serve beer at 40 degrees. That way we can make sure the beer doesn’t get foamy."
It's also a sign that spring is near.
Championship basketball is back, and an estimated 100,000 people will descend on Power and Light to celebrate.
"Even for our employees, to go through a cold winter to see the cord go up you can literally feel the excitement in the air," said Ferger.
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Mike Marusarz can be reached at mike.marusarz@kshb.com.
