How to Watch March Madness Basketball at Work
Don’t let a little thing called your job stop you from watching the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, aka March Madness. Here’s how to enjoy the first-round games without getting fired.
Up next in How to Be an Ultimate Sports Fan (28 videos)
These videos are not for fair weather fans.
You Will Need
- Computer or mobile device with internet access
- Office pool
- Strategic scheduling
- Headset
- Laptop
- Feigned illness
- Office campaign
- Self-restraint (optional)
- Minor medical procedure (optional)
Steps
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Step 1
Investigate online streaming
Investigate ways to watch March Madness basketball online. March Madness on Demand provides live streaming video to your computer or mobile device; go to NCAA.com for information. But be warned: Some companies install software that blocks streaming video -- or slows action to a crawl.
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Step 2
Run a pool
Volunteer to run your office pool. The person in charge of everyone’s brackets has to watch March Madness basketball at work to keep on top of the scores, right?
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Step 3
Schedule strategically
Get in early on game days and schedule meetings in the morning so you can tackle a little actual work before the first games tip around noon Eastern time. Just remember to keep a low profile: Even if your team is playing, keep school paraphernalia to a minimum.
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If you’re on the West Coast, try to get important business out of the way when your least favorite teams are playing.
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Step 4
Be cagey
If you have a headset, wear it while watching games so co-workers will think you’re on an important call and can’t be disturbed. If you must attend a meeting, bring your laptop or mobile device and surreptitiously monitor the action on mute. Murmur your assent every now and then so you appear engaged.
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When the March Madness live stream cuts out -- and it will -- refrain from cursing or slamming something in frustration.
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Step 5
Get out of work
Prefer to watch the games from the comfort of your couch? Lay the groundwork for a bout with the flu in the days leading up to March Madness. Just don’t post any enthusiastic online updates during the games, or you'll blow your cover.
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If you require a minor medical or dental procedure that involves home recovery, schedule it for the day before March Madness begins.
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Step 6
Get your company involved
Can't watch the games online or take a few sick days? Launch a campaign to allow employees to watch March Madness basketball at work in the open, explaining that it would boost morale and, in turn, productivity. The bosses just might buy it.
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92 percent of fans who watched the 2008 NCAA tournament online did so from work computers.
