A common misconception is that the world of fantasy sports is a pointless timesuck. In reality, it is a community that builds personal connections, increases viewership and access to sports, and creates an exciting atmosphere for all ages. Playing fantasy sports is a fun activity where you draft players and receive points based on their real-game performance. Competitions are usually head-to-head with family members, friends, or co-workers. Fantasy is not limited to the National Football League (NFL), but has spread to college football, baseball, basketball, and many other leagues. It is a game that many workplaces, families, and friend groups have participated in, and surveys prove its effectiveness in community building.
Fantasy sports bring people together. For example, 83 percent of people in leagues with friends said that it helps them stay in touch with each other, and 50 percent say they doubt they would stay in touch with the people in their league at all without it. Leagues also strengthen families: 83 percent reported that it helps build connections across age groups. Moreover, it can also bring romantic interests together. One in ten say that they are aiming to impress their partner or a crush in fantasy football this year, and one in six are planning to manage a team with their significant other.
Another important benefit of fantasy football is the increased access to sports. As a communal activity, people of all ages, races, and genders can participate. A family’s fantasy football league could be a young girl’s introduction to a lifetime love of sports that she would have not otherwise gotten due to the overwhelming male-majority of the sports industry and societal expectations. In addition, fantasy football is one of the most accessible team-building activities; it is free, you can do it anywhere, and plenty of online resources remove knowledge as a barrier of entry.
The activity also increases viewership and interest in sports in general. Because players are picked from across teams, participants have an interest in many games. Lots of the time, fans religiously follow their own team, often neglecting other exciting games that happen around the leagues. Fantasy football leagues incentivize fans to branch out their viewing experience.
Some of my favorite memories with my family have been during the fantasy football draft. Each year, we gather at my aunt’s house in California in a circle as we pick our players. My family members, especially my grandmother, turn into highly competitive personalities, yelling about who picked whose favorite players. Throughout the year, we revisit this spirit of liveliness as we debate the evolving matchups of the league.
Fantasy sports are exciting for everyone. They are not only a great conversation starter, but my favorite way to decompress on Sunday after a long week. There are many platforms to play on, and, while football season has already started, many other sports are holding their drafts now. Overall, it is an exciting community and atmosphere that makes every game on TV the game.