Is Fantasy Football Keeping Minnesotan’s Busy At Work?

It’s that time of year. Nearly everywhere you go, you’ll hear someone talking about this. They may even be arguing over this. For sure they’re discussing strategy for the big day. 

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You might think that I’m talking about the Presidential election or an election in general, but that’s not it. I’m talking about Fantasy Football. 

This adds a whole other layer to the football season. And if you’re thinking it’s just men who play, then you’d be wrong. According to reports from last year, 35% of fantasy football players were women. 

Draft nights are a whole experience now, and the player that loses in the league normally has to do something very embarrassing, like dress in their least favorite team gear and go to a very public place.  

There have also been stories that the loser has to get a tattoo that will haunt them forever, or for the next year at least then they may be able to have it covered up? 

Some people say this is good hearted fun among friends, and there’s no harm in it. But there are some business owners, managers and supervisors who would disagree. 

According to a study last year from Straits Research, over 96% of people who play fantasy football say they spend roughly seven hours during their work week focusing on their roster, injuries and who they should start for the upcoming week. 

If that doesn't sound like much to you, the report estimates the lost productivity each year totals around $16 billion dollars. That's billions with a "B". I don't think employees start out to spend as much time on fantasy football during the workday as they do, time just sort of sneaks away and the next thing you know an hour or more has gone by.

Everyone knows it’s fun to win and competition keeps us sharp. I guess you could make a case to your boss that fantasy football is a mental workout that gives you an edge at work.  

Unless you have to show up with the embarrassing tattoo then you may have some explaining to do.