In the realm of professional football, America’s most popular sport, there has been a shift in focus from team outcomes to individual performances. Fans care less about the outcome of the game, and more about how individuals perform. Many of you readers are probably partially to blame.
This obsession with the individual is most likely caused by fantasy football. These games have loosened fans’ allegiance to their favorite teams and strengthened their interest in individual players.
Now, before I go any further, I want to say that I currently manage three fantasy football teams and have been managing teams for the last five years. Since its inception, fantasy football has helped to increase the popularity of the NFL, and created more knowledgeable fans as well. In 2006, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said, “Fantasy football is a real plus for the promotion and the interest of the NFL.”
It also has a social benefit, in that it fosters communication and healthy competition amongst friends and family. And most importantly, it is enormously entertaining (and potentially profitable if you’re good at it). Fantasy football has grown to an over $1 billion per year industry, a figure that will no doubt increase as time goes on. There are websites, TV shows and magazines that only exist because of it.
Despite all of these positives, it is important to keep in mind the negative side effects of fantasy. When fans enter a fantasy football league, they are relying on how well individual players will perform. While this investment in a variety of different players boosts viewership, it also creates a “what-have-you-done-for-me-lately?” mentality. Owners do not care about the players themselves, only how many points they will earn each week. When Arian Foster, running back for the Houston Texans, injured his hamstring in August, fans were not concerned about the impact the injury would have on Foster’s long-term health. Their only concern was whether or not the injury would impact the amount of points he would earn in fantasy this season.
After the injury Foster tweeted, “4 those sincerely concerned, I’m doing ok & plan 2 B back by opening day. 4 those worried abt your fantasy team, u ppl are sick.” Players like Foster are clearly frustrated at how many fans see him and other players as assets, not people. While fans do not do any direct damage by viewing players in this way, there is a certain immorality that accompanies this view.
Fantasy football also highlights individual performances over team outcomes. There are countless players throughout the league who put up great statistics, but never seem to be able to consistently win. Despite their inability to win, they are still paid like elite players.
Likewise there are many players who lead their team to victory, but don’t put up amazing numbers. The public seems to forget about these players, and they are not given the respect they deserve. For fantasy owners, it’s not about winning; it’s about stats. For example, when the Buffalo Bills beat the New England Patriots on Sept. 25, a lead story on ESPN was not about their victory, but rather the offensive numbers the Patriots put up.
Fantasy also creates a conundrum for fans: what do you do when your favorite team plays against the players on your fantasy team? For true fans, the real team still comes first. But a conflict of interest still exists. Strict allegiance to teams has diminished with the rise of fantasy. I would much rather see my favorite team (the Packers) beat the Bears than have Matt Forte – my starting fantasy running back – play well. But that doesn’t mean I’m not rooting for Forte to score a touchdown. It’s hard to be completely happy if your team wins but you lose your fantasy matchup.
The positive externalities of fantasy football probably outweigh the negatives. However, it is certainly not going to decrease in popularity any time soon. It is important to remember that it is not perfect, and should be criticized when appropriate.