Now Open: The CRN 2016 Channel Madness Bracket Contest

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CRN's second annual Channel Madness Tournament of Chiefs kicks off March 17, pitting some of the channel's best-known executives against each other in head-to-head battles where CRN readers vote to determine the victors.

While the contest does not start until next week, the Field of 32 has been set, and readers have a chance to get into the action early by filling out and submitting their brackets today. Take a look at the field and play along at home.

Last year's winner, Mike Valentine, senior vice president of sales at Sophos, is back again this year and is ready to defend his title. It was not an easy road to channel glory for Valentine, who knocked off channel chiefs at Intel, NetApp, Ruckus Wireless, and APC by Schneider Electric before ultimately edging out Adam Famularo, vice president of global channels at Verizon Enterprise Solutions in the championship round.

So how well do you know the big-time players in the channel? Does Valentine have the support to go back-to-back? Do you have some real-world experience working with an under-the-radar chief poised for a big run?

It's time to take your knowledge of the channel to the masses and get your perfect bracket out to the world. Results will be displayed on the 2016 Channel Madness Bracket Contest leader board, and the top five contestants will win a limited edition 2016 CRN Channel Madness T-shirt.