Thursday, October 7, 2004
Is Fantasy Football Killing the Diehard Fan?
Don't get me wrong, I love fantasy football. This game allows you to draft, manage, and trade for the talent you put out on your roster on a weekly basis. It allows you to have some interest in meaningless games such as this week's matchup between the Cardinals and 49ers. It also can be financially rewarding to those that act as the best coach throughout the season. But does this fantasy team replace a young fan's attachment to their city's team?
I fear this. I am a diehard fan, and grew up loving and cheering for the team that represented the city I was raised in. To this day, that remains an important part of my life. Adults across the country have this same sort of attachment to their team. Cities like Oakland, Kansas City, Green Bay, and Cleveland are perfect examples of having a consistent and loyal fan base.
I wonder if future generations will have this same sort of attachment to their team. The conversations that occur every Monday morning in schools across America appear to be changing. Jerome Bettis is a perfect example of this; he has 5 TDs and is a fantasy dream at this point, but only has 18 carries for 22 yards. On the other hand, a full-time player like Michael Vick is not living up to his fantasy status, even though he is 4-0 as the starter this season.
These fantasy statistics alter the importance each of these players has to their teams. It amazed me, when I heard an 11-year-old boy this past weekend say that Michael Vick is a bum, because he can't put up points. What is more important, putting up fantasy points or winning the real game?
Some fans are now more concerned about their fantasy team than the real team they cheer for every week. This alters their loyalty to their local team and may cause the end of the diehard fan. I have a hard time seeing an 11-year-old kid root against his hometown team because he has the opposing wide receiver on his fantasy roster. Where is the loyalty in that? How do you stand up and cheer when that player scores a touchdown on your city's team?
I am not sure if there is an answer to this problem. Is it even a problem or is the game just evolving? Professional football teams have enjoyed a loyal fan base for a long time, but may have a problem in the future sustaining this. Fantasy football makes the game about the individual, not the team. It makes the youth of this great country, a fan of the game, not of a particular team.
Oh, by the way, I am currently in four fantasy leagues; I love every minute of it. Sometimes, I have a conflict of interest and I am torn on what to do. I bench players if they play against my team. It would make me sick to my stomach to get excited for a touchdown against my squad.
But then again, I am a diehard fan.