Authored by Erin Ucer
Professors Reis and McBride
What is Fantasy Sport?
To understand the connection between sports and sports betting, it is first important to understand the nature of fantasy sports, and define some of its features for those who may be unfamiliar. Put simply, fantasy sports (a.k.a “fantasy”) is online sports management game where users create teams composed of real-life professional athletes. Users join a league with other members, who can be random or from one’s social circle, and compete against each other in a season-long format that mirrors the actual schedule of the respective professional sports league. The main goal in “fantasy” is to assemble a team that accumulates the most “fantasy points,” which are determined by the real-life performance of the players on one’s team. Players gain points when performing well and accumulating statistics in real-life games, i.e. if Tom Brady scores a touchdown or LeBron James hits a three point shot, they gain fantasy points. Almost every major statistic is tracked within fantasy for every single player in every single game played that season. Users – who are often referred to as “managers” – compete against each other in weekly matchups, putting their respective teams head-to-head, with the winning team being the one with the most fantasy points for the week. Teams with strong records at the end of the regular season make the fantasy playoffs, and the team that wins in the final matchup is declared champion, similar to the playoff formats implemented within the NFL, NBA, and MLB.
Every major American sports league has some type of fantasy game associated with it. Since the core of fantasy sports is based on sports statistics, playing it is a great way to learn about individual athletes in the league and the “types” of statistics they tend to accumulate on a game-by-game basis (i.e., points, assists, home runs, touchdowns, etc.). To succeed in fantasy, consistency is key, as each week of matchups can bring unique challenges. Managers are responsible for setting their lineups for the week, keeping track of players’ news such as injuries or trades, and scouting the opponent’s team for the week. This level of monitoring helps build a deep knowledge base and familiarity with the players who comprise the league, and, most importantly, the context behind their performances. Certain teams win games by passing the ball effectively, while others do so via their running attack or through their stout defense, to give a crude example. Learning what areas certain players and teams specialize in, and what statistics they tend to dominate in, is one of the biggest impacts that fantasy has on sports consumership practices, as it expands the scope of one’s relationship with the sport they love.
As engagement levels have increased, fantasy sports have become a growing part of American sports culture. With an estimate US user base of 50 million as of 2022, and a projected compound annual growth rate of around 14% according to industry experts, fantasy sports is already an established industry that is projected to grow further. (Statista) A reason for this growth could partly be due to fantasy’s ability to act as a socializing agent. Friends, coworkers, and family members can come together to form private leagues with each other to stay connected through a communal “activity”, especially for those who may not live near each other. Players can also join public leagues, which are composed of random members across the internet, which can help them meet and interact with new people. Quite viral on the internet are fantasy league “punishments”, in which the last-place manager is forced to do something difficult or embarrassing, such as stay hours inside a Waffle House or wear a funny costume in public. Videos highlighting these punishments have garnered millions of views across social media, helping aid fantasy’s prevalence within popular culture.
Advertisements for fantasy sports platforms are commonly seen during sports broadcasts, with prominent companies such as ESPN and Yahoo! being large players in the market. Creating a fantasy account takes a few seconds, as only an email address and internet connection are needed. No age verification is required, since no fees are associated with playing the game, and credit card information does not need to be imputed when creating one’s account. This ease of access and free-to-play nature has made fantasy sports a popular option amongst younger fans who are unable to gamble, but want to interact and learn more about the players, teams and sports they care about.
