Fantasy football and basketball are the most popular forms of fantasy sports with nearly 135 million users worldwide.
At the beginning of each season, leagues are formed of 2-32 members. Then there is a draft to kick off the official start to the fantasy sports journey.
Fantasy sports involve more than just sports. There are wagers set into place and even punishments given to last place.
For many, fantasy football involves a lot of research and statistical analysis going into the draft.
“My draft strategy was taking zero running backs in the first two rounds which was beautifully executed by taking Cooper Kupp (wide receiver) in the first round and Travis Kelce (tight end) in the second round,” senior Kyler Evans said.
Evans’ draft strategy allowed him to obtain the players he wanted before the draft began. Evans’ prepared before the draft by participating in mock drafts, where individuals can choose any draft position and simulate what the actual fantasy football draft would look like.
Evans plays in a league with fellow senior Alec Franksman who is also the commissioner of their 10-man league.
“As a league we decided to wager $150 each to make it as high stakes as possible,” Franksmann said.
Franksmann has competed in the same league for three years, increasing the wager each year. Many leagues wager money to ensure all the league members give their best effort throughout the entirety of the season and don’t quit midway through.
On top of the financial incentive, some leagues assign punishments to the member who finishes last in the league.
“In our league whoever finished last has to come to school with a dress that says “I suck at fantasy football,”’ Sophomore Aiden Harris said.
Franksmann’s league has also established a Fantasy Football punishment, as their last place member will be put into a dog cage while having different drinks and substances poured onto them.
Though fantasy football can be very time consuming, fantasy basketball often takes even more of the participants’ time.
A major difference between the two fantasy sports involves football is setting one’s lineup once a week, but in basketball the members have to change their lineups daily, as there are multiple NBA matchups everyday.
“I enjoy fantasy because it allows me to watch different players on different teams around the league that I usually would not have any interest in,” math teacher and basketball coach Andy King said.
King employs multiple strategies when creating his fantasy team.
“My favorite strategy is loading up at one position and not worrying about my bench spots,” King said.
King has been playing fantasy sports for over 10 years with his friends and colleagues.
Both fantasy sports involve a lot of skill and strategy in order to create a team and decide which players are best to draft and play each week. Many friendships are strengthened through the competitive and fun nature that fantasy sports offer.
