Introduction to Fantasy Football
Fantasy football is an increasingly popular activity in which participants serve as the general managers of virtual professional gridiron football teams. The competitors select their rosters by participating in a draft in which all relevant NFL players are available. Points are based on the actual performances of the players in the real-world competition. The game typically extends across an entire season and the goal of the participant is to have their team amass the most points through the end of the season, which is usually based on the total points of all the team’s players in their active roster.
History of Fantasy Football
Fantasy football originated in the late 1950s. The idea for this game was conceived by Wilfred Winkenbach, an Oakland area businessman and limited partner in the Oakland Raiders. In a New York City hotel room, Winkenbach, along with Raiders beat writer Bill Tunnell and Tribune reporter Scotty Stirling, mapped out the concept of fantasy football on a cocktail napkin.
The very first fantasy league, the Greater Oakland Professional Pigskin Prognosticators League was formed in 1962. In this game, eight teams would draft from the list of American Football League (AFL) players and score points on touchdowns and field goals only.
With the advent of the internet, Fantasy Football soared in popularity. It became even more accessible and allowed real-time tracking, constant updates, and a plethora of online tools which have streamlined the game, making it more interactive and enjoyable to participants. Today hundreds of thousands of leagues exist and many online platforms provide a venue for people to host their leagues.
How Does Fantasy Football Work?
Players of fantasy football create virtual teams of real-world football players, who then must compete with one another through an NFL season. There are numerous formats in which these leagues can play. A common format includes a season that lasts the entire NFL schedule with the team winning the most matchups over that time is declared the winner.
Typically, one of the most important parts of the fantasy football season is the draft. It’s during the draft that managers select their team’s players for the year. Managers need to take into account many variables such as projected performance, injuries, and bye weeks.
On a weekly basis, managers must decide which players will start the upcoming games and which will sit on the bench. These decisions are crucial because they will determine how many points a team will earn in a given week.
Points are scored based on how the players do in their actual NFL games. For example, a running back may earn points for his team based on how many yards he runs, whereas a quarterback may earn points based on how many touchdowns he throws.
Popularity of Fantasy Football
Fantasy football has grown significantly in popularity since its early days. Websites like ESPN, CBS, and Yahoo provide platforms for people all around the world to join and play in fantasy football leagues with their friends, coworkers, family, or even strangers.
Fantasy football’s appeal seems to stem from a number of factors. Fans love the competitive aspect of the game, and it offers an engaging way to enjoy the NFL season. It also aids in the understanding of the sport as it requires knowledge of the teams and players within the NFL, enhances the overall viewing experience as it gives viewers a vested interest in games they might not be interested in otherwise.
Impact of Fantasy Football
The impact of fantasy football cannot be overstated. It has changed not only how fans watch the game, but also how the game itself is covered by the media. Before fantasy football, fans primarily followed one team, their favorite. But with fantasy football, fans now also follow individual players on different teams, causing a shift in how games are reported and viewed.
From an economic perspective, fantasy football also has an impact. Industry leaders report massive growth in user engagement and revenue. The fantasy sports industry, led by football, has made significant strides. It contributes to the economy by driving up television ratings, encouraging restaurant and bar patronage, and increasing sales of NFL merchandise.