When it comes to your fantasy football team, are you thriving or stagnating? According to new research, most people finally give up by Week 10 of the NFL season.
A new survey of 2,000 Americans who play fantasy football took a health check on how managers are currently pursuing personal and strategic glory. If you’re still playing, you’re doing better than the 16% of managers who quit in week six.
Another 59% said they are “hanging in there” but still expect they can flourish as the season progresses, while 31% say they are currently among the leaders of their league and Chasing victory.
Poll conducted by Talker Research progressive The insurance found that week 7 is the average for managers quitting.
Week 10 is the deadliest for players in terms of missing a game. A fanatical 56% said they never give up.
For those who accepted defeat, underperforming players (37%) and injuries (30%) were the two biggest nails in their managerial coffin.
The average fantasy player regrets three draft choices (2.6), with 69% of all respondents already having to put their backup options in starting roles.
Overall, only 33% of first-round draft selections are performing as expected – and one in five are weak or already on IR.
“Even the best game plan can be sidelined,” said Sade Balogun, senior business leader, brand experience at Progressive Insurance, “whether on the road, in your home or even in your fantasy football league. Me too.” “Just like in real life, it’s important to have a good backup plan.”
The results also showed that a huge amount of effort and preparation goes into an individual’s fantasy football career – the average manager devotes 4.5 hours a week to their line up selection, researching players and planning their strategies.
Over the course of an entire 18-week season, assuming they don’t quit, the typical fantasy manager spends the equivalent of 81 hours, or 10 full work days, dedicated to their fantasy football dreams.
If more proof of dedication were needed, incredibly, one in three fantasy football managers (35%) would prefer their favorite NFL team to win their league rather than see them win the big game.
The average league buy-in was found to be $60, but the average respondent is still up when it comes to their fantasy finances.
According to the results, the average fantasy football fan has spent $1,014.5 on fantasy leagues in their lifetime, but only won $1,205.6 – leaving them with a paltry profit of about $200.
And while there are fantasy winners, there are also fantasy losers – one of the time-honored traditions of playing fantasy football is the embarrassing punishment for those who die in the end.
One in five respondents have participated in a league with a penalty, with seven percent of the panel actually receiving a penalty.
The survey asked respondents to describe what punishment they had been given and received many ridiculous and downright embarrassing responses.
One respondent said she had to wear a bikini and walk on the street in the freezing cold, while another had to shave her head completely bald. Another defendant had to host an expensive dinner for the league winner three different times.
Win or lose, respondents are divided on how much skill you actually need in fantasy – 31% of respondents say it’s more skill-based, but 23% say it’s more skill-based than anything else. I have more luck.
“ Fantasy football success isn’t just about having the best draft. It’s about the ability to step up and implement backup plans when faced with challenges,” Balogun said. “When players are about to give up on their season, it’s the right time to call for backup , and we’re excited to give struggling teams a second chance at a winning season with our Fantasy Backup Plan Sweepstakes.”
Funniest Fantasy Football Last Place Punishment (Responses edited for clarity)
- “I had to buy dinner for everyone else in the league wearing their favorite outfit.”
- “I had to eat five raw eggs.”
- “I had to dress up like a maid and host a party with friends and family.”
- “I had to give dinner to the winner three times.”
- “I had to walk on the street wearing a bikini on cold days.”
- “I had to buy everyone beer for a week.”
- “I had to post something embarrassing on my social media account.”
Survey Method:
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 people who participated in fantasy football; The survey was commissioned by Progressive and administered by Talker Research and conducted online between October 4 and October 11, 2024.
