5 Tips To Avoid The Intimidation That Is Fantasy Football

Being a fantasy football pro doesn’t have to be a fantasy at all. So much of it is luck and knowing a few key strategies. There’s nothing wrong with embracing the way you want to pick your team and enjoying the game.

There you have it,  

The Last Night’s Game Team

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1. The “sport” of fantasy football was originally developed in 1962, but modern fantasy football started in 1999 when Yahoo! offered an online league. Now players can create teams using ESPN or other sports apps and make some dough with online betting sites like DraftKings, although sports betting sites are still illegal in a few states. BETTING IT ALL

2. It’s a male-dominated sport, with men making up over 80% of the 60 million participants. But don’t look now because women are whipping up teams of their own. Just because some men want to debate the 1982 Super Bowl champions doesn’t mean that means that’s required to enjoy a fantasy football league. Women have to remember their mother-in-law’s birthday and the neighbor’s cat’s name, so there is no need to use those brain cells up with useless football factoids. There are whole leagues and even businesses dedicated to helping female football fans join in on the fun. YOU GOT THIS

3. Fantasy football is usually fun, but some leagues aren’t for the faint of heart. They take it very seriously, and there’s a punishment for coming in last. The penalties include spending 24 hours at a Waffle House (seriously), buying drinks for the entire next football season, doing standup at a local open mic night or waxing of the nether regions (by a professional, of course, because what are we animals)? THAT’S GOING TO LEAVE A MARK

4. Picking a team name is the best part but remember no one is intimidated by the “Unicorn Underdogs.” Luckily for you, there are massive lists of names out there for inspiration. Some of our favorites? Blitz Creek, Sacks and the City, Game of Throws, Drinkers with a Kicking Problem, Teddy Throwsevelt and Real Housewife Who Fantasizes. CLEVER EH?

5. Our biggest pointer for first-time fantasy football players is: don’t forget to set your lineups once a week. You have up until your first player’s game starts to adjust. Remember, some teams play on Thursday night. With the average person spending $556 on entry fees, materials and prizes, you want to put your best foot(ball) forward. ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS 

Who is the commish, why do I care about bye weeks and what's the recipe for success? Check out our fantasy football 101 for the answers to all your questions.

The Only 5 Things You Need To Know About Fantasy Football

The sport heard round the office.

Let’s get drafty,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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1. The sport of fantasy football was originally developed in 1962 but modern fantasy football started in 1999 when Yahoo! offered an online league. Now players can create teams using ESPN or other sports apps as well as make some dough with online betting sites like DraftKing and FanDuel, although they are still illegal in a few states. BETTING IT ALL

2. It’s a male dominated “sport,” with men making up over 80% of the 60 million participants. But don’t look now because women are whipping up teams of their own. There are whole leagues and even businesses dedicated to helping the female football fan join in on the fun. YOU GOT THIS

3. Fantasy football is usually fun but some leagues aren’t for the faint of heart. They take it very seriously and there’s a punishment for coming in last. The penalties include piercings, buying drinks for the entire next football season, doing standup at a local open mic night or waxing of the nether regions (by a professional, of course, because what are we animals)? THAT’S GOING TO LEAVE A MARK

4. Picking a team name is the best part but remember no one is intimidated by the “Glitter Gridiron” team. Luckily for you, there are massive lists of names out there for inspiration. Some of our favorites? Sacks and the City, Game of Throws, Teddy Throwsevelt and Hot Chubb Time Machine (referencing Nick Chubb of the Cleveland Browns). CLEVER EH?

5. Drafts, trades and researching game day opponents are all part of the game, hence why U.S. employers suffer a $17 billion (yes with a 'b') loss in productivity due to fantasy football. It hurts the employee’s pockets too, spending an average of $556 on entry fees, materials and prizes. ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS  

Who is the commish, why do I care about bye weeks and what's the recipe for success? Check out our fantasy football 101 for the answers to all your questions.

Wednesday Wisdom

Besides their fantasy football draft, here’s what’s happening in the world of sports today, including a classic Twitter troll clapback, how you can buy a baseball team and why one female athlete is speaking up. READ

5 Things You Need To Know About Fantasy Football

Like driving through a puddle after a car wash, you can’t avoid fantasy football. Talk of leagues and drafts are omnipresent with the start of the football season around the corner. Now you can play a part in the conversation.

Boom!

The Last Night’s Game Team

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Five Things You Need To Know About Fantasy Football

1. The “sport” was originally developed in 1962 but modern fantasy football started in 1999 when Yahoo offered an online league. 
2. There are 59.3 million (!!) people who play fantasy football in the U.S. and Canada and over 34% of them are female. Who says football is for the boys?
3. Picking a team name is the best part but remember no one is intimidated by the Football Fairy Princesses. Like naming a baby, there are massive lists of names out there to inspire you. Some of our favorites? Here’s my number, call me Brady, Sacks and the City and Game of Throws.
4. Online betting sites like DraftKing and FanDuel bring in big bucks from fantasy football, but they are still illegal in a few states. Some states say fantasy football is a gambling while others say it’s a game of skill.
5. Drafts, trades and researching game day opponents are all part of the game, hence why U.S. employers suffer a $17 billion (yes with a 'B') loss in productivity due to fantasy football.

For more tips check out: fantasy football 101 and the top 100 players to draft.

Overtime

• You can do your celebration dance because the 2017-18 NBA (National Basketball Association) schedule has been released. The Minnesota Timberwolves will travel further than any other team this season. Let's hope they embrace it like the St. Louis Cardinals (MLB – Major League Baseball) and hold a dance party on the plane.

Sideline stat

• Everyone in the sports world is talking about Miami Marlins (MLB) slugger, Giancarlo Stanton. He’s on a hot streak, hitting home runs in six straight games AND setting a Marlins franchise record for home runs in a season, which is impressive because the season isn't even over for a month and a half. 

Coaches’ corner

• Dallas Cowboys' (NFL - National Football League) Ezekiel Elliott was hit with a six-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. The suspension was the result of a league investigation into an accusation of domestic violence. This week he filed an appeal, hoping to lower or even have the sentence dismissed. The hearing will take place a week before the season starts.