New Survey Showcases Trends and Surprising Insights on Behavior of Fantasy Football Players Nationwide

NEW YORK, Aug. 26, 2024 – Today, Yahoo Sports, provider of the award-winning Yahoo Fantasy app, unveiled results of a recent survey analyzing consumer habits and trends ahead of the 2024-2025 fantasy football season. Conducted in partnership between Yahoo Sports and DKC Analytics, the 1,000-person survey reveals some surprising results about the relationship between fantasy football, work, and personal relationships. In addition, fans are “all-in” on Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift as America’s couple, impacting likely fantasy football player behavior.

Can Fantasy Football Get You A Raise or Promotion?
‍Amongst those surveyed, “work colleagues” were the third-most common fantasy football opponent, reported by 44% of participants. Among this group competing against colleagues, the survey revealed unique insights on fantasy football’s impact on professional development. 

• 47% of participants believe their fantasy football performance could impact their review or raise 
• 42% think that their fantasy football skills could earn them a promotion
• Fantasy football can be a great onboarding tool: 67% of participants noted that fantasy football helps better integrate new staff into the team

Are You Ready for It? The Taylor Swift + Travis Kelce Effect Takes Over Fantasy Football
‍Following an exciting football season that saw global pop sensation Taylor Swift become a permanent fixture cheering on her boyfriend Travis Kelce each week, consumer interest in the NFL skyrocketed.

Survey results indicate that the “Taylor Swift Effect” is not isolated to NFL viewership -  the singer’s presence has also led to an increased interest in fantasy football.

• Travis Kelce is the #1 player most fantasy football players want to draft 
• 1 in 10 report that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s relationship have led them to pay more attention to fantasy football 
• 59% rate “drafting Travis Kelce no matter what” as a good or excellent draft strategy
• 37% rate “drafting players who are dating my favorite celebrities or influencers” as a good or excellent draft strategy 
• Taylor Swift is also the celebrity most survey respondents would want to have in their fantasy league – beating out The Rock, Tom Brady, LeBron James, and Drake

Stop the Swiping! Fantasy Football Could Be the New Dating App
‍Fantasy football is not just a tool used for professional development, it also provides opportunities to grow romantic connections. One in 10 say they are paying more attention to fantasy football this year to impress a current or potential romantic partner. Fantasy football can also be a fun way for couples to connect, with one in six planning to co-manage their fantasy team with their romantic partner. The same percentage of participants favor a bit of friendly competition, saying their goal for the upcoming fantasy season is to win against their significant other.

‍Fantasy Football is the Great Connector
‍Sports have long been considered the great unifier, bringing together different groups of people from around the globe – and fantasy football is no different. Amongst those surveyed, close friends and family ranked as the two most common groups of fantasy football opponents. 

Amongst those who compete against friends and acquaintances, 83% say fantasy football helps them keep in touch with friends they wouldn’t otherwise see, and more than 50% say that without fantasy football they probably would not remain friends with some of the people in their league. Most notably, an overwhelming majority of respondents (81%) say fantasy football helps them maintain friendships with people who are different from them. 

Amongst those who compete against family, 63% say fantasy football is one of the most important things they do for family bonding, with a large majority (83%) noting that fantasy football helps them build familial relationships across generations. 

This Could be the Biggest Fantasy Football Season Yet
‍Fantasy football is not just for diehard football fans. Survey results revealed participation in fantasy football is continuing to grow at a rapid rate with more than 50% noting that they are paying more attention to fantasy football now than they did last year. In addition, 22% of survey participants indicate they would be new to fantasy football this year with more than 50% of these new participants identifying as women, while 18% of new participants represent Gen Z.   

Winning IS Everything
‍For those who participate in fantasy football, joining a league is a fun hobby with great opportunities for comradery and connection. But most importantly, it’s about winning. One in four note that they would rather win their fantasy football league than see their favorite team win the Super Bowl and an overwhelming 85% say they would give up “something serious” in order to have the first pick in their draft, including listening to their favorite band and eating their favorite food. 

‍Methodology: Yahoo Sports partnered with DKC Analytics to survey 1,000 adults in the United States who are interested in playing fantasy football – on any platform – during this upcoming season. Survey respondents were scientifically randomly selected, with a margin of error of 3.1% with 95% confidence.

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