Many people have learned over the years that if you’re going to make a promise on social media, you’d better be ready to keep it.
Jon Rothstein is making good on that axiom after a promise he made to Nebraska Cornhuskers men’s basketball fans last year.
The CBS Sports reporter who has an unhealthy obsession with college basketball was, like so many of us, surprised to see Nebraska start last season 10-0. Sensing that this was a feel-good story that probably wasn’t going anywhere, Rothstein took to his Inside College Basketball Now podcast to splash some cold water on their hopes and dreams.
“If Nebraska makes the NCAA Tournament in 2026 and wins an NCAA Tournament game for the first time in school history, I at some point before the start of the 2026-27 season am going to fly to Lincoln, Nebraska,” said Rothstein in December. “I’m going to go downtown. I’m going to put my credit card down at a bar for an hour, and I am going to throw a happy hour for Nebraska basketball fans.”
Considering Nebraska had never won an NCAA men’s tournament game heading into last year’s, history was on his side.
Well, about that. The Cornhuskers started the season with 20-straight wins and parlayed that into a 28–7 season and a March Madness bid. They not only won their first NCAA tournament game in the program’s history, but they advanced all the way to the Sweet Sixteen.
And you better believe Husker fans didn’t forget about Rothstein’s offer. And neither did he.
Anarchy?
Nope. Just College Basketball. pic.twitter.com/CJhMEe2dhJ
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) August 13, 2026
The CBS Sports insider is indeed putting that credit card down at the Gate 25 Bar and Restaurant in Lincoln, NE, on Wednesday, September 16.
It’s unclear if Rothstein himself will be there to take part in the celebration or if he’s just footing the bill (he did promise to fly in, for what it’s worth). Either way, we imagine Nebraska fans will want to get in line early to take advantage of his hospitality.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.