Super Bowl Expected to Boost Economy

John Challenger of Challenger, Gray & Christmas

With the Super Bowl match-up between the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers just over a week away, workplaces around the country may already be noticing that some workers are increasingly distracted. Whether it’s more time around the watercooler or at the lunch table debating which team is better, or more time spent at one’s desk organizing an office betting pool, the Super Bowl can sap some employees’ productivity.

The loss of productivity will not be measurable across the entire economy and probably won’t even be noticed within an individual company, says workplace authority John A. Challenger. “At most, a department head might have to remind an employee or two that setting up betting pools should be done during off-hours. If the Super Bowl has any impact on the economy, as a whole, that impact is likely to be positive.” Continue Reading