Ohio Furniture Chain Loses $1.5 Million in Ohio State Game-Related Promotion

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Did you bet on the Ohio State-Oregon game? Did you lose? Cheer up: We wager your loss wasn’t anywhere near as bad as Ashley Furniture’s.

The Ohio chain made a perhaps-ill-advised promise to write off purchases of $1,999 or more from Dec. 17-30 if the Buckeyes beat Alabama and then went on to win the national championship by at least seven points.

Admittedly, it was a long shot: Alabama was the No. 1 seed, and even fewer people predicted the Buckeyes overrunning Oregon 42-20 on Monday.

The promotion was in place at stores in Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton and Florence, Kentucky. Over 500 people made purchases that totaled $1.5 million, according to parent company Morris Home Furnishings’ vice president of marketing, Rob Klaben.

“We did work with a third-party company that underwrote the promotion. So we’re excited to see a win,” Klaben told ABC News.

But he added – in the first great understatement of 2015 – “It’s not inexpensive to have this kind of promotion.”

This article originally appeared on People.com.

See the 10 Best Photos From the Ohio State vs. Oregon Championship Game

An Ohio State Buckeyes cheerleader falls as the Buckeyes run out to the field before the College Football Playoff National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium on Jan. 12, 2015 in Arlington, Texas.
An Ohio State Buckeyes cheerleader falls as the Buckeyes run out to the field before the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Jan. 12, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. Tom Pennington—Getty Images
Oregon players warm up before the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Ohio State on Jan. 12, 2015, in Arlington, Texas.
Oregon players warm up before the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Ohio State on Jan. 12, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. David J. Phillip—AP
Ohio State place kicker Sean Nuernberger (96) kicks an extra point during the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Oregon on Jan. 12, 2015, in Arlington, Texas.
Ohio State place kicker Sean Nuernberger (96) kicks an extra point during the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Oregon on Jan. 12, 2015, in Arlington, Texas.Tony Gutierrez—AP
Ohio State's Cardale Jones (12) dives for a first down during the second half of the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Oregon on Jan. 12, 2015, in Arlington, Texas.
Ohio State's Cardale Jones (12) dives for a first down during the second half of the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Oregon on Jan. 12, 2015, in Arlington, Texas.David J. Phillip—AP
National Championship - Oregon v Ohio State
The Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate on the field after defeating the Oregon Ducks 42-20 during the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Jan. 12, 2015 in Arlington, Texas.Tom Pennington—Getty Images
Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott (15) is stopped short of the goal line during the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Oregon on Jan. 12, 2015, in Arlington, Texas.
Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott (15) is stopped short of the goal line during the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Oregon on Jan. 12, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. Tony Gutierrez—AP
National Championship - Oregon v Ohio State
Linebacker Raekwon McMillan #5 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with the trophy after defeating the Oregon Ducks 42 to 20 in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game at on Jan. 12, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. Jamie Squire—Getty Images
National Championship - Oregon v Ohio State
Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer is dunked with Gatorade during the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Oregon on Jan. 12, 2015, in Arlington, Texas.Sharon Ellman—Prensa Internacional/ZumaPress
OHIO STATE VS. OREGON IN THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN ARLINGTON TEXAS
Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Logan Gaskey (61) makes a snow angel in confetti as he celebrates after the Buckeyes defeated the Oregon Ducks to win the College Football Playoff National Championship, in Arlington, Texas on Jan. 12, 2015. Kevin Dietsch—UPI /Landov
NCAA Football: National Championship-Ohio State vs Oregon
Oregon Ducks wide receiver Austin Daich (19) walks off the field after losing to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Jan. 12, 2015 in Arlington, Texas.Tim Heitman—USA Today Sports

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