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The madness is here. Today the NCAA men's basketball tournament tips off — though the real action gets going on Thursday — and millions of fans are filling out their bracket and figuring out what excuse they're going to give the boss for opting out of work later this week.
March Madness has indeed turned into an event, some even argue, as big as the Super Bowl.
Recognizing the masses the tournament impacts — even those who could care less about basketball — makes it an important local story in all communities.
Here are a few stories you could consider doing this year:
WORKER IMPACT: It's been widely reported in the past that businesses lose something like $38 billion in worker productivity during the tournament. Is that bogus? Some think so. Talk to an expert in your community who could speak about the number and if it's accurate.
HOW BUSINESSES REACT: Some businesses don't allow their employees to use Facebook and other online sites they view as being a distraction during working hours. How do businesses in your community handle the tournament, especially since CBS sports is offering the games free online? Do they allow employees to surf during tournament time? How do you get employees to focus when they would rather be watching the game?
OFFICE POOLS: Some are run for fun and others have big money at stake. Could you offer five tips for the office that's never run a pool before?
ARE THEY LEGAL? Oh, it's such a technicality, but are office pools legal? Talk to your local district attorney to find out. A fine little feature story.
MEMORIES OF MADNESS: Do you have an athlete, cheerleader or member of the band who either played in or attended a tournament in the past? Consider either a feature story on one of them or a callout to readers seeking stories and photos from past madness experiences.
ADVICE FOR COUPLES: Unless you and your significant other are both basketball lovers, the tournament — especially by the time it gets to the Elite 8 — can be challenging on a relationship. What does a marriage counselor in your community have to say about the give-and-take of a relationship during the tournament?
PARTY AT THE FINAL FOUR: Many people will have parties for the Final Four. Get clever with the number four: Four cocktails for the Final Four, four dips that are slam dunks.
TALK ABOUT THE GAMES: Chances are your Facebook friends were commenting on where their teams were seeded on Sunday night. To get the conversation going, pose questions about who they think might win the tournament this week? Was there an incredible last-minute three pointer that won a game on Thursday. Grab it off You Tube and tease it on Facebook back to your Web site. Ask readers to comment on your Facebook page or post a headline on your homepage asking readers to voice their opinion on a game or shot.
The madness is here. Today the NCAA men's basketball tournament tips off — though the real action gets going on Thursday — and millions of fans are filling out their bracket and figuring out what excuse they're going to give the boss for opting out of work later this week.
March Madness has indeed turned into an event, some even argue, as big as the Super Bowl.
Recognizing the masses the tournament impacts — even those who could care less about basketball — makes it an important local story in all communities.
Here are a few stories you could consider doing this year:
WORKER IMPACT: It's been widely reported in the past that businesses lose something like $38 billion in worker productivity during the tournament. Is that bogus? Some think so. Talk to an expert in your community who could speak about the number and if it's accurate.
HOW BUSINESSES REACT: Some businesses don't allow their employees to use Facebook and other online sites they view as being a distraction during working hours. How do businesses in your community handle the tournament, especially since CBS sports is offering the games free online? Do they allow employees to surf during tournament time? How do you get employees to focus when they would rather be watching the game?
OFFICE POOLS: Some are run for fun and others have big money at stake. Could you offer five tips for the office that's never run a pool before?
ARE THEY LEGAL? Oh, it's such a technicality, but are office pools legal? Talk to your local district attorney to find out. A fine little feature story.
MEMORIES OF MADNESS: Do you have an athlete, cheerleader or member of the band who either played in or attended a tournament in the past? Consider either a feature story on one of them or a callout to readers seeking stories and photos from past madness experiences.
ADVICE FOR COUPLES: Unless you and your significant other are both basketball lovers, the tournament — especially by the time it gets to the Elite 8 — can be challenging on a relationship. What does a marriage counselor in your community have to say about the give-and-take of a relationship during the tournament?
PARTY AT THE FINAL FOUR: Many people will have parties for the Final Four. Get clever with the number four: Four cocktails for the Final Four, four dips that are slam dunks.
TALK ABOUT THE GAMES: Chances are your Facebook friends were commenting on where their teams were seeded on Sunday night. To get the conversation going, pose questions about who they think might win the tournament this week? Was there an incredible last-minute three pointer that won a game on Thursday. Grab it off You Tube and tease it on Facebook back to your Web site. Ask readers to comment on your Facebook page or post a headline on your homepage asking readers to voice their opinion on a game or shot.
