Is it real or fantasy?

As we gear up for our fantasy football league's draft day, one wonders how much time is wasted on an activity that isn't even real. The answer depends on who you ask.

"According to a very rough, non-scientific, non-verifiable estimate, . . . the cost to the nation’s employers in terms of wages paid to unproductive workers could approach $6.5 billion." - outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.

Replicon, a provider of time-tracking software, points to the same non-verifiable report and estimates wasted productivity at $18.7 billion.

I'm not even participating in the draft and I find myself wasting time on it. (C'mon, everyone is doing it.) Fantasy football elevates wasted time and money to a whole new level. According Wikipedia:

On fantasy lawyers and "things":

"Fantasy leagues may also engage services to make their things run smoothly and settle disputes. Leagues may deposit collected fees with fantasy football specific escrow companies, and settle disputes regarding trades or scoring by using lawyer-run fantasy football arbitration websites for a flat fee per resolution."

On rooting habits:

"The explosive popularity of fantasy sports, coupled with the availability of venues showcasing numerous live football games via satellite, has had significant effects on football viewing and rooting habits among participants."

On spending habits:

". . . fantasy football team managers are also more likely to spend on other industries. When compared to non-fantasy sports fans, team managers are significantly more likely to purchase alcohol, airline tickets, and sports magazines. They are also more likely to purchase fast food and soft drinks."

Even if I don't participate in this year's draft, I may find myself hiring a fantasy lawyer, rooting in a totally new way, and eating a lot of chips. Without a doubt, however, I will be avoiding work (which is never a waste of time).