This past Sunday I was watching my beloved New England Patriots with mixed emotions. As a lifetime supporter of all things Boston, I rooted for my team, as usual, but secretly counted up all the yards rushing and receiving by my fantasy football player, Fred Jackson, on the other team (the Buffalo Bills). Fred Jackson was incredible, and needless to say, like all fantasy football team owners, I was less disappointed in the New England loss, because I knew that Jackson would take me over the top in my own team – NickledD72, bringing my record to 1-1, and moving me into second place.
Our recent Office Pulse survey of several hundred fantasy football owners and fans, resulted in similar feelings. When asked about their favorite things about fantasy football, several respondents wrote that it increased their overall experience on Sundays:
“Allows you to get more in tune with all the players in the league instead of just your favorite team.”
“Changes the game… Instead of just watching YOUR team you watch almost every game on TV…”
“Focus on following the sport.”
“Excuse to spend Sunday at the bar.”
“Following the games”
“It gets you more invested in games you might not watch otherwise.”
When asked for pet peeves, however, positive feelings quickly turned negative, with the most passionate responses (31%) targeted towards opponents within their leagues:
“I can sense their egotism, which makes me crazy.”
“’I’m the only girl so the others expect me to do bad!”
“People who talk about their fantasy teams.” Everyone cares about fantasy sports, but no one cares about your team.”
“People who think they are so great at it and really aren’t”
“The one player who thinks he knows everything and wins no matter what, like to rub it in when he wins, while the rest of us just try to have fun.”
Amazingly, over 70% of all working adults either play or would consider playing fantasy football, including both men and women. In addition, Office Pulse’s Work-Life Balance study shows that the majority of research and transactions happens during the workday, at the office.