It can be tempting for many American workers to spend some time checking sports scores or even watching a sports event while at work. But just how many American sports fans area spending large chunks of time each day looking or watching sports content?
The Lines recently surveyed 1,500 sports fans across 40 different industries around the country to learn more about their relationship with sports at work.
Sports at work
Many Americans take the time out of their workday to watch or check sports scores. The survey found that over 71% of Americans admit to checking sports at least once a day while at work. Another 19% said that they sometimes check scores or read about sports while at work. Only 10% of Americans who were surveyed said they do not check sports scores or read about sports at work. The typical sports fan spends an average of 49 minutes each day checking sports scores or reading about sports at work.
How often do sports fans check scores or read about sports at work?
Listed below is the full breakdown of how often sports fan check scores at work:
- Daily (25%)
- Three to four times per week (30%)
- Two to three times per week (20%)
- One to two times per week (14%)
- Rarely or never (11%)
- Less than 20 minutes (30%)
- Between 21-30 minutes (24%)
- Between 31 minutes and an hour (24%)
- Between 1-2 hours (13%)
- Between 2-3 hours (6%)
- More than 3 hours (3%)
How fans are watching sports while at work
So, in the section above we covered that Americans are frequently checking up on sporting news or scores while at work. But how are they consuming sports news and scores while at work?
73% of American workers admit to watching sports while at work. This is an even higher number than the 71% who check scores or read about sporting news while at work. 47% of American workers believe watching sports improves work performance. 52% of those who were surveyed admit to having checked a sports core during a work meeting. Another 53% say they have checked a sports score during a zoom or Skype call with colleagues or clients.
Listed below are the top ways that sports fans watch sports while at work:
1. I watch sports on my phone while at work (57%)
2. I watch sports at work on a television (43%)
3. I watch sports at work on my computer (42%)
4. I watch sports at work on a coworker’s computer (8%)
5. I watch sports at work on a coworker’s phone (4%)
Where employees watch sports at work the most
So now that we have covered how American workers are watching sports at work, let us examine where specifically they are watching sports while at work. 61% of American workers have gone to the restroom to watch a sporting event or to check a sports score while at work. 54% say they have hidden somewhere work a coworker or colleague to watch a sporting event while at work.
Listed below are the most common places fans hide to watch sports while at work:
1. I have hidden to watch sports at work in the breakroom (42% of respondents)
2. I have hidden to watch sports at work in my car (24% of respondents)
3. I have hidden to watch sports in the storage room (22% of respondents)
4. I have hidden to watch sports under my desk (17% of respondents)
5. I have hidden to watch sports in an empty office or conference room (16% of respondents)
6. I have hidden to watch sports in a hallway at work (13% of respondents)
7. I have hidden to watch sports in a closet at work (10% of respondents)
As you can see American workers are very creative when finding ways to watch sports at work without getting noticed.
Calling in sick to watch sports
According to the survey data, many Americans have called in sick to watch or go to a sporting event. The survey found that 48% of American workers have called in sick to attend a sporting event or game. 49% have called in sick to watch a sporting event or game. Another 49% have called in sick after staying up too late watching sports. 48% have called in sick due to being too hungover after watching sports. 54% have snuck out early from work to attend a sporting event. 53% have snuck out early from work to watch a sporting event.
While many are sneaking out to watch or go to a sporting event, many get caught by a boss or colleague. 55% of those surveyed said they have been caught watching sports by a boss or manager. 68% have actually caught a follow coworker or colleague watching sports at work. There are also some that have actually caught their direct boss or supervisor watching sports while at work. 51% said they have caught their boss watching sports while at work.
Would you take a pay cut at work to watch sports while at work?
Many American workers enjoy being able to watch sports while at work that they would actually take a pay cut to be able to do so. 47% of surveyed respondents said they would take a pay cut if they could always watch their favorite team while working. Another 57% said that they would take a pay cut for season tickets to their favorite team. 68% said they would take a day without pay in order to watch the final game of the NBA finals. 38% would go as far as to quit their job if they were not allowed to talk about sports while at work.
Infographic by: thelines
