Fantasy Sports: Beyond The Prize
How the Fantasy Premier League connects fans of the beautiful game
A cultural phenomenon amongst many sporting communities, fantasy sports leagues have added a whole new strategic dimension to watching your favorite sport—forging connections that extend beyond the pitch. Millions of fans participate in fantasy leagues each season, especially across North America and Europe. Competing for cash prizes is the least of their concerns. Social interaction, network building, entertainment, and competition are consistently the main motivations for people who participate in fantasy sports leagues. How do I know that? Because I’ve been part of one for the last six years.
Fantasy Premier League
Football, or soccer, is the sport most dear to me, and the most popular football fantasy game is Fantasy Premier League (FPL). Created via the English Premier League (PL), the most watched European football league in the world, FPL has become one of the most important pillars in the PL’s digital strategy due to its community building success.
Playing for the last nine seasons on FPL, I’ve been a co-founder of a private fantasy league for the better part of over half a decade. However, what started as a small family league, has grown into a community of almost 50+ managers spread across our network. After topping the league three seasons in a row, I fell into a run of poor finishes, at least to my standards. But, it was only then when I realized the appeal of fantasy sports—especially in long running leagues like ours—isn’t just the prize pool at the end of the season, it’s the shared experience.
When we first set up our league, the prize pool was modest compared to now, because it was a small group of family members. Now, the top five managers get rewarded with 1st naturally rewarded the most. However, the real power of our league is the social aspect. It creates constant interaction every single week, pressurized competition and mid-season crisis conversations. It’s the social dimension the game provides that pulls people back in every season. I mean, I still get trash talked for not winning after all these seasons!
Fantasy Sports at UTM
If you are or someone you know is interested in connecting with Premier League lovers on campus, check out the UTM Soccer Club’s (UTMSC) Instagram page to learn more about the Fantasy Premier League they are running. The UTMSC also plans on hosting World Cup watch parties on campus during the summer. Be on the lookout for updates!
