I'm not much of a basketball fan (although I couldn't be more pleased about the
Michigan State women's team's No. 1 seed), so
March Madness isn't going to keep me from what I'm supposed to be doing. But as the
NCAA Division I tournament gets under way this week, a lot of people are balancing work and basketball pleasure.
A
story by
Sarah Talalay of the
South Florida Sun-Sentinel points out a study by
Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a human-resources consulting firm, that estimates U.S. companies could lose almost $900 million in productivity during the 16 business days of the tournament. With
March Madness on Demand available online for a $19.95 subscription fee service, fans will be able to watch as many as 56 out-of-market games live on streaming video. The service is distributed by
CSTV in partnership with the NCAA and television rights-holder CBS.
My feeling is that if it wasn't basketball, it would be something else. And maybe the multitasking will make up for some unpaid overtime. I like CSTV CEO
Brian Bedol's approach: "This way you don't have to stay home to watch the games," he said to Talalay. "My message would be get your work done."
