Playing Off the Court for Big Stakes
Photo by Lauren Lee and Ashley Wislock, student Ashley Akin
By Lauren Lee and Ashley Wislock
As the final seconds tick off the clock, thousands of spectators sit on the edge of their seats as the fate of two teams hang in the balance. For many of these athletic enthusiasts, the outcome of the NCAA Division-I men’s basketball tournament is not just a matter of pride; it’s a high-stakes gamble where winning means big money and bragging rights, while losing means hurt egos and lost cash.
Each year, 30 million Americans fill out “March Madness” brackets and attempt to be the closest in their “pool” to guessing the outcome of the tournament, according to a webwire.com article.
Most people say they participate in bracket pools for the thrill of picking the right teams.
“I love being the only girl in the house and picking more winning teams than my brother and father,” said Stephanie Van Der Wal, 21, of Blairstown, N.J.
In addition to wagers among friends and family, “office pools” are a huge part of March Madness betting. According to a 2009 Microsoft/MSN poll, 45 percent of American workers participate in office bracket pools. As a follow-up calculation, outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported that March Madness pools cost companies $1.8 billion in “unproductive wages,” MSN.com reported.
This raises concern for people who see office bracket pools taking place.
“I think when [brackets] are done in a social gathering they are a fun and competitive challenge for a group of friends,” Robbie Goss, 27, of Memphis, said. “When done in the workplace, however, they can cause a lack of production and cause employees to put more focus on a non-work related topic."
But not everyone is opposed to the office bracket movement.
One administrative assistant* in Williamsport, Pa. said more than 100 people participated in the office’s bracket pool, which she has coordinated for the past six years.In this pool, the entry fee is $2, and the top three bracket-fillers take home cash prizes from the money wagered. The last-place finisher also wins back the $2 he or she wagered.
“Everyone looks forward to it and they usually start asking if we are still doing it several months before it starts,” she said. “In my opinion, most sports fans do it to show off their sporting knowledge…and see how high up they can finish.
”She said that’s the reason she fills out a bracket each year.
“I do it for bragging rights,” she said. “I try to beat my sports-following husband and I know others who do it for similar reasons.”
While the NCAA encourages fans to guess who will win, the group officially discourages betting on the tournament. In fact, betting on March Madness is illegal in most states.
March Madness brackets aren’t the only casual sports pools drawing thousands of participants for the chance to win money and pride. Fantasy sports leagues, in which fans can select players to create a “dream team,” also attract a wide variety of sports enthusiasts.
University of Memphis student Dan Buchanan, 28, said he liked how his fantasy sports league keeps him in touch with friends.
“I participate in a fantasy baseball league because it’s a great way to stay connected with old friends who are now spread across the globe,” he said. “Admittedly, it is the smack talk, much more than the actual winning, that I enjoy most.”
Gerry Smith, 34, of Phillipsburg, N.J., likes the competition and the ability to feel connected to his favorite sports stars.
“I am very competitive and it gives me an opportunity to compete against friends and co-workers,” he said. “The fantasy baseball league has a $300 entry fee and the 1st place winner brings home $1000 and 2nd gets $600 so it's also fun to make a team of my favorite players and have a chance to win money.”
Most sports fans seem to think that the awareness such casual sports betting brings to the games is positive.
“I think [brackets and fantasy leagues] are great for these sporting events as they increase interest and awareness of different athletes, cities and universities while increasing spectator attendance and viewing,” David Nugent, 32, Collierville, said.
But not all sport enthusiasts like the idea of being able to pull apart the team for entertainment.
Justin Harding, 27, of Cordova, feels fantasy leagues take attention from the group.
“Fantasy [leagues] take the focus off the team as a whole and puts it squarely on the players. It gets people to watch games they wouldn't normally watch, but destroys the entire reason we have team sports, which is the team,” he said. “March Madness brackets, however, still get people to watch more of the games they wouldn't normally watch, but it keeps the emphasis on each team."
Enjoying competition while staying connected and having fun are common themes for those who enjoy casual sports betting, like brackets and fantasy sports leagues.
“I enjoy it because I'm very competitive,” Jillian McMahon, 21, of Baltimore, said. “It forces me to understand more about sports, something my family and my boyfriend are very passionate about.”
*Name withheld to protect job
As the final seconds tick off the clock, thousands of spectators sit on the edge of their seats as the fate of two teams hang in the balance. For many of these athletic enthusiasts, the outcome of the NCAA Division-I men’s basketball tournament is not just a matter of pride; it’s a high-stakes gamble where winning means big money and bragging rights, while losing means hurt egos and lost cash.
Each year, 30 million Americans fill out “March Madness” brackets and attempt to be the closest in their “pool” to guessing the outcome of the tournament, according to a webwire.com article.
Most people say they participate in bracket pools for the thrill of picking the right teams.
“I love being the only girl in the house and picking more winning teams than my brother and father,” said Stephanie Van Der Wal, 21, of Blairstown, N.J.
In addition to wagers among friends and family, “office pools” are a huge part of March Madness betting. According to a 2009 Microsoft/MSN poll, 45 percent of American workers participate in office bracket pools. As a follow-up calculation, outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported that March Madness pools cost companies $1.8 billion in “unproductive wages,” MSN.com reported.
This raises concern for people who see office bracket pools taking place.
“I think when [brackets] are done in a social gathering they are a fun and competitive challenge for a group of friends,” Robbie Goss, 27, of Memphis, said. “When done in the workplace, however, they can cause a lack of production and cause employees to put more focus on a non-work related topic."
But not everyone is opposed to the office bracket movement.
One administrative assistant* in Williamsport, Pa. said more than 100 people participated in the office’s bracket pool, which she has coordinated for the past six years.In this pool, the entry fee is $2, and the top three bracket-fillers take home cash prizes from the money wagered. The last-place finisher also wins back the $2 he or she wagered.
“Everyone looks forward to it and they usually start asking if we are still doing it several months before it starts,” she said. “In my opinion, most sports fans do it to show off their sporting knowledge…and see how high up they can finish.
”She said that’s the reason she fills out a bracket each year.
“I do it for bragging rights,” she said. “I try to beat my sports-following husband and I know others who do it for similar reasons.”
While the NCAA encourages fans to guess who will win, the group officially discourages betting on the tournament. In fact, betting on March Madness is illegal in most states.
March Madness brackets aren’t the only casual sports pools drawing thousands of participants for the chance to win money and pride. Fantasy sports leagues, in which fans can select players to create a “dream team,” also attract a wide variety of sports enthusiasts.
University of Memphis student Dan Buchanan, 28, said he liked how his fantasy sports league keeps him in touch with friends.
“I participate in a fantasy baseball league because it’s a great way to stay connected with old friends who are now spread across the globe,” he said. “Admittedly, it is the smack talk, much more than the actual winning, that I enjoy most.”
Gerry Smith, 34, of Phillipsburg, N.J., likes the competition and the ability to feel connected to his favorite sports stars.
“I am very competitive and it gives me an opportunity to compete against friends and co-workers,” he said. “The fantasy baseball league has a $300 entry fee and the 1st place winner brings home $1000 and 2nd gets $600 so it's also fun to make a team of my favorite players and have a chance to win money.”
Most sports fans seem to think that the awareness such casual sports betting brings to the games is positive.
“I think [brackets and fantasy leagues] are great for these sporting events as they increase interest and awareness of different athletes, cities and universities while increasing spectator attendance and viewing,” David Nugent, 32, Collierville, said.
But not all sport enthusiasts like the idea of being able to pull apart the team for entertainment.
Justin Harding, 27, of Cordova, feels fantasy leagues take attention from the group.
“Fantasy [leagues] take the focus off the team as a whole and puts it squarely on the players. It gets people to watch games they wouldn't normally watch, but destroys the entire reason we have team sports, which is the team,” he said. “March Madness brackets, however, still get people to watch more of the games they wouldn't normally watch, but it keeps the emphasis on each team."
Enjoying competition while staying connected and having fun are common themes for those who enjoy casual sports betting, like brackets and fantasy sports leagues.
“I enjoy it because I'm very competitive,” Jillian McMahon, 21, of Baltimore, said. “It forces me to understand more about sports, something my family and my boyfriend are very passionate about.”
*Name withheld to protect job
