The effect of fantasy football

[thedude]

It's interesting to me how someone can have such a crystallized viewpoint on something that they've never done.

I don't participate because I think it's silly. I have other hobbies that are far more productive

[amfootball]

I'm not disputing that. Im saying that in the long run that is going to be a negative. Fan loyalty is not become less about a team and more about individuals. Team success is becoming less important to many fans.

That would actually help the game not hurt it. Instead of having a fanbase or fans overall totally tune out a losing team, they follow it instead for the 1-2 stars on the team. Football does the best job of any league marketing its players and it is for that reason. They want their players bigger than just the team the play for.

[jvan1973]

I don't participate because I think it's silly. I have other hobbies that are far more productive

I somehow doubt that. You are here several hours a day and you aren't colts fan. Not even a fan of a divisional rival. Or a fan of a conference rival. I can only imagine how much you post on the niners and cardinals forums

[thedude]

I don't think I agree with your opinion. I think the NFL has opened up the offense just to excite the game itself. Most fans don't care for a 7-3 or a 10-7 game anymore. They want action to keep things interesting. With those changes in rules the NFL has become the #1 sport in America. One of the main reasons that soccer hasn't made it big in America is because it is a long game without much scoring and action. The NBA has also falling into that mindset. Most NBA fans don't want to see a 70-67 game anymore. Not enough action to keep watching. That can be followed into the movies being made. People want action, not a long drawn out story. We consider them chick flicks as most call them. The changes really started before fantasy football became that popular. I have been playing fantasy football for over 25 years. Back when all the stats had to be looked up in the USA today papers and had to be added up by hand on paper. I think fantasy football just made me aware that there were other teams and players other than my team. Being more knowledgeable about the whole league is not a bad thing.

I disagree. It's not like the average game was a boring defensive struggle before the constant rule changes favoring the offense. And who says great defensive play is boring, or demonstrating a lack of action.

I stand by my comments pertaining to how fantasy football is impacting the rules and how it will ultimately hurt the game itself.

[thedude]

I somehow doubt that. You are here several hours a day and you aren't colts fan. Not even a fan of a divisional rival. Or a fan of a conference rival. I can only imagine how much you post on the niners and cardinals forums

What makes you believe any of that is true? Just a gut feeling?

[jvan1973]

What makes you believe any of that is true? Just a gut feeling?

Its pretty easy to figure out

[sweetsurrender]

I somehow doubt that. You are here several hours a day and you aren't colts fan. Not even a fan of a divisional rival. Or a fan of a conference rival. I can only imagine how much you post on the niners and cardinals forums

I get the sense he is here solely for the Luck/Wilson debates. Same as the robinson guy.

[thedude]

They want their players bigger than just the team the play for.

And in a team sport wher no one is supposed to bigger than the team, that is not a good thing.

[thedude]

Its pretty easy to figure out

How? Dazzle me with your brilliance.....

[jvan1973]

How? Dazzle me with your brilliance.....

Everyone knows you're a seahawks fan. Its not a secret

[amfootball]

And in a team sport wher no one is supposed to bigger than the team, that is not a good thing.

In theory but look at the NFL right now. It is littered with .500 teams or below. The entire league is set up for teams to go 8-8 every year so the marketability of its players are paramount. And they do the best job of anyone marketing their stars. It was not that long ago that everyone wondered what the NFL would look like once Brady and Manning retired and then boom - Luck, Wilson, Kaepernick, Newton, JJ Watt, Sherman. Gold mine of talent and personalities.  

[thedude]

In theory but look at the NFL right now. It is littered with .500 teams or below.

Well first, the season is just starting. And that is what you get when you have 32 teams all restrained by a one size fits all salary cap. Also, that is exactly what they want. All teams within reach of a playoff berth.

[thedude]

It appears that some of you are simply wanting to argue because you just can't come to grips with the fact that you agree with me. You'd rather argue than admit that I'm making a good point and may be right.

[amfootball]

Well first, the season is just starting. And that is what you get when you have 32 teams all restrained by a one size fits all salary cap. Also, that is exactly what they want. All teams within reach of a playoff berth.

Right that is why marketing the players is key. Just so much parity but in the end the faces sell the jerseys. I really don't think the NFL cares if fans are watching for their teams or for players as long as they are watching and if a horrible team has eyeballs because of 1-2 stars players or FF interest than I think the league will take that in spades.

[thedude]

Once again, It appears that some of you are simply wanting to argue because you just can't come to grips with the fact that you agree with me. You'd rather argue than admit that I'm making a good point and may be right.

[jvan1973]

Once again, It appears that some of you are simply wanting to argue because you just can't come to grips with the fact that you agree with me. You'd rather argue than admit that I'm making a good point and may be right.

I'm not arguing with you, i disagree with your opinion

[thedude]

I'm not arguing with you, i disagree with your opinion

you're not the only one here, are you?

[Superman]

I don't participate because I think it's silly. I have other hobbies that are far more productive

 

I'm totally fine with any reason you have for not playing fantasy football. Just seems like you have everyone who does play figured out. To say the least, I disagree with your conclusions about the effects of fantasy football, and seeing as how I play myself, I speak from some personal experience.

[thedude]

I'm totally fine with any reason you have for not playing fantasy football. Just seems like you have everyone who does play figured out. To say the least, I disagree with your conclusions about the effects of fantasy football, and seeing as how I play myself, I speak from some personal experience.

I don't have anyone figured out, nor have I made that claim. If you believe otherwise, please show where I made any comments about the personalities of those who play fantasy football.

I do though make the claim that ultimately fantasy football is going to be a negative for the NFL as a whole.

[jvan1973]

I don't have anyone figured out, nor have I made that claim. If you believe otherwise, please show where I made any comments about the personalities of those who play fantasy football.

I do though make the claim that ultimately fantasy football is going to be a negative for the NFL as a whole.

a claim based on what? It brings in more fans, not the other way around

[Superman]

I don't have anyone figured out, nor have I made that claim. If you believe otherwise, please show where I made any comments about the personalities of those who play fantasy football.

I do though make the claim that ultimately fantasy football is going to be a negative for the NFL as a whole.

 

Your comments about people being less fans of teams and more fans of players, for instance. Again, I speak from personal experience, as someone who plays and interacts with people who play, who is a fan of a particular team, despite also being a fan of individual players.

 

I think what you're missing is that fantasy football has attracted people who were just football fans, and now they are more involved in watching and paying attention, despite not having any real team loyalties. But without fantasy football, they'd be far more casual than they are now. Things like RedZone and the other stat trackers and whatnot have allowed people who were fans from afar to be more involved. That doesn't mean that people aren't fans of teams anymore. It just means the NFL has attracted a different kind of fan in recent years. I don't see how that's a bad thing for the NFL.

 

It also doesn't mean much of anything with regard to people who are fans of teams, but also play fantasy football. Except that they are more interested in games that have nothing to do with their team. Between pre-draft coverage and fantasy football, the average Chargers fan is now more interested in a Giants/Cowboys game that has no ramifications on their team. They know the young players from the draft, and they know the good players from fantasy football, and have rooting interests. I don't see how that's a bad thing for the NFL, either.

[NFLfan]

...you aren't colts fan. Not even a fan of a divisional rival. Or a fan of a conference rival. I can only imagine how much you post on the niners and cardinals forums

Are you implying that fans of other teams are not welcome here? ;)

Re: the OP, I have been following football for about 23-24 years. I can watch any NFL game, including preseason ones. When the Cardinals and the Bengals were the worst teams in football, I was watching them. I am a Vikings fan but there are other teams that I like more than others (Colts, Steelers) and others that I "hate" (the Cowboys, Packers, and Pats) .

I am playing Fantasy Football for the first time this year at the urging of my brother-in-law. All the players in our league are members of my family. We are dispersed throughout the country (OR, MN, NY, FL, CT, and NH) but we are keeping in touch more frequently because of FF. However, FF has not increased my interest in football. Actually, I think I enjoy the games slightly less because I find myself checking for stats rather than focusing on the games. So, no, I don't watch NFL football more because of FF.

[crazycolt1]

I love the Colts & the game as a whole. The thing I don't love is fantasy football which people get way too caught up in while forgetting that their are 53 players on each team fighting for a common goal & not just that one player.

I am a die hard Colt fan. I have been since the Bert Jones days. That has zero to do with playing fantasy football and don't effect it in any way. Playing fantasy football keeps me informed on what's going on all across the NFL. I think you are wrong in your assessment of fans of a certain team getting too caught up in what you are saying. Fantasy football has made the NFL even more popular than it's ever been. Just because you don't care for fantasy football don't put your own spin into it. I would bet that 1/2 of the fans who fill LOS every game play fantasy football and they are die hard Colt fans or they wouldn't spent the money. Having a driver pool for Nascar or Indy car is no difference. Picking a bracket in the NCAA is also no different. Playing a check pool at your place of work is no difference. I really think you put too much thought into this whole thing.

[crazycolt1]

Are you implying that fans of other teams are not welcome here? ;)

Re: the OP, I have been following football for about 23-24 years. I can watch any NFL game, including preseason ones. When the Cardinals and the Bengals were the worst teams in football, I was watching them. I am a Vikings fan but there are other teams that I like more than others (Colts, Steelers) and others that I "hate" (the Cowboys, Packers, and Pats) .

I am playing Fantasy Football for the first time this year at the urging of my brother-in-law. All the players in our league are members of my family. We are dispersed throughout the country (OR, MN, NY, FL, CT, and NH) but we are keeping in touch more frequently because of FF. However, FF has not increased my interest in football. Actually, I think I enjoy the games slightly less because I find myself checking for stats rather than focusing on the games. So, no, I don't watch NFL football more because of FF.

So because you cant separate your enjoyment for the game fantasy football is bad? I play a lot of fantasy football but I don't sit and keep up with the stats till the games are over. Maybe you are taking this fantasy football a little too serious. After all, it's just a game.

[NFLfan]

So because you cant separate your enjoyment for the game fantasy football is bad? I play a lot of fantasy football but I don't sit and keep up with the stats till the games are over. Maybe you are taking this fantasy football a little too serious. After all, it's just a game.

Where did I say it was bad? I am only saying that it does not influence whether I choose to watch or not watch football.

[New Zealands #1 Colts Fan]

NFL and Colts fan since 1995.  Started playing fantasy when i met several other fans of the NFL at a new job in 2004.  Since then most of us have left for other jobs but we still meet up for draft day and play in multiple fantasy leagues IDP and keeper every year. Its a great way of maintaining contact with a lot of the guys especially as some have moved all over the world.

I must say since playing in an IDP league i have really come to appreciate the defensive side of things. Man some of those guys work so freaking hard.............

[thedude]

Your comments about people being less fans of teams and more fans of players, for instance. Again, I speak from personal experience, as someone who plays and interacts with people who play, who is a fan of a particular team, despite also being a fan of individual players.

 

 

Do you believe everyone just like you?  

[thedude]

Are you implying that fans of other teams are not welcome here? ;)

 

I think that's kind of obvious.

[Superman]

Do you believe everyone just like you?

Yes.

[thedude]

Your comments about people being less fans of teams and more fans of players, for instance. Again, I speak from personal experience, as someone who plays and interacts with people who play, who is a fan of a particular team, despite also being a fan of individual players.

 

I think what you're missing is that fantasy football has attracted people who were just football fans, and now they are more involved in watching and paying attention, despite not having any real team loyalties. But without fantasy football, they'd be far more casual than they are now. Things like RedZone and the other stat trackers and whatnot have allowed people who were fans from afar to be more involved. That doesn't mean that people aren't fans of teams anymore. It just means the NFL has attracted a different kind of fan in recent years. I don't see how that's a bad thing for the NFL.

 

It also doesn't mean much of anything with regard to people who are fans of teams, but also play fantasy football. Except that they are more interested in games that have nothing to do with their team. Between pre-draft coverage and fantasy football, the average Chargers fan is now more interested in a Giants/Cowboys game that has no ramifications on their team. They know the young players from the draft, and they know the good players from fantasy football, and have rooting interests. I don't see how that's a bad thing for the NFL, either.

I have no issue with people who enjoy playing fantasy football.  Still, I stand behind my comments regarding the long term effects it will have on how fans will eventually change their allegiance from the team aspect based on geography to individual player loyalties.

 

i don't know if I worded that correctly, but you get what I mean.

[thedude]

Yes.

Oh.  That's  uh..... not right.

[thedude]

a claim based on what? It brings in more fans, not the other way around

Based on my observations.  What's the matter?  You one of these guys who wants "a link" or something?

 

I think it brings in more fans of individual players and not teams.  Football is a team sport, not a collection of individuals trying to build fantasy points.

 

No one can convince me that is it a positive thing for a team sport to elevate a few players on each team in a way that makes them bigger than the team as a whole.  

[crazycolt1]

Where did I say it was bad? I am only saying that it does not influence whether I choose to watch or not watch football.

You said you think you enjoy football even less. What other conclusion would someone think?

[Vance]

I didn't play FF this year because I was getting mad over games my team wasn't even in. That was a waste of hate.

[SteelCityColt]

I don't believe it's cynical. I think it's realistic. And this is something new. It used to be that everything was based regionally. Fans of one team actually hated players from another team.

Mark Cuban is right when he says the NFL is ultimately hurting itself in the long run.

I don't do the fantasy football thing, nor will I ever.

 

That's cool it's your opinion, same as it's my opinion you're being a bit overly cynical to think that the major driving force behind rule changes was FF. Without inside access to the rules committee neither us will know for sure. 

 

 

I don't participate because I think it's silly. I have other hobbies that are far more productive

 

Again it's your opinion that FF is silly, which is fine, but there's way to express that aren't so obnoxious. 

 

 

It appears that some of you are simply wanting to argue because you just can't come to grips with the fact that you agree with me. You'd rather argue than admit that I'm making a good point and may be right.

 

No I imagine quite a few will argue because they don't agree and I'd take a fair bet some argue because of how you deliver your arguments/opinions.

 

I think that's kind of obvious.

 

Not all, we're an equal opportunity forum, we even let Pats fans on You're only going to get issues arising if you act in a manner that riles people and that has nothing to do with what team you support. 

 

Based on my observations.  What's the matter?  You one of these guys who wants "a link" or something?

 

I think it brings in more fans of individual players and not teams.  Football is a team sport, not a collection of individuals trying to build fantasy points.

 

No one can convince me that is it a positive thing for a team sport to elevate a few players on each team in a way that makes them bigger than the team as a whole.  

 

It does generally lend more weight to your argument if it has a basis that consists more of "that's what I think so it's right". See Vontae Davis debate, people bring you stats, talking head articles, you bring..... one line put downs and evade anyone who tried to engage you. 

[SteelCityColt]

A lot of people bet

 

We're not allowed to enter paid FF leagues in the UK, well I've yet to find one open to UK residents.

[NFLfan]

You said you think you enjoy football even less. What other conclusion would someone think?

YOU concluded that it was bad. I also wrote that FF is allowing my relatives around the country to keep in touch more frequently. That would suggest that it is a good thing. You chose to read only one part of my message.

[crazycolt1]

YOU concluded that it was bad. I also wrote that FF is allowing my relatives around the country to keep in touch more frequently. That would suggest that it is a good thing. You chose to read only one part of my message.

Dude, It's not worth you arguing about it. I explained myself on why I made the comment. Your comment evidently had two meanings. Chill.

[amfootball]

Based on my observations.  What's the matter?  You one of these guys who wants "a link" or something?

 

I think it brings in more fans of individual players and not teams.  Football is a team sport, not a collection of individuals trying to build fantasy points.

 

No one can convince me that is it a positive thing for a team sport to elevate a few players on each team in a way that makes them bigger than the team as a whole.  

You keep repeating this like a FF participant cannot be a fan of individual players AND teams. Most football fans that play are fans of both and on top of that FF has brought in fringe fans of football who now watch games that would not have in past. It is a great thing for the game.

[jvan1973]

Based on my observations. What's the matter? You one of these guys who wants "a link" or something?

I think it brings in more fans of individual players and not teams. Football is a team sport, not a collection of individuals trying to build fantasy points.

No one can convince me that is it a positive thing for a team sport to elevate a few players on each team in a way that makes them bigger than the team as a whole.

Three is zero evidence to back up what you're saying.