Are you tired of playing in boring fantasy leagues? We’ve all played in a league that has no interaction or communication. Fantasy sports are fun in general, so why are we wasting our time playing in a league that is mundane? If you’ve read my article on the Role of a Commissioner, you’ll remember there are four important pillars to running a fantasy league. We’ve already covered Organization, and today we will look at a component that is just as vital, Engagement. Here are some ways you can keep your fantasy league engaged.
Keeping Your Fantasy Football League Engaged
Group Chat
If you want an engaging, entertaining fantasy league the first thing you need to do is start a group chat. And I don’t mean using the message board on your league home page. Nothing brings the league closer together than a group text thread (just be prepared for the one league member with an Android to ruin the blue). A group chat on a messaging app like GroupMe, can work as well. Whether it’s daily messages talking smack to your opponent or commenting on how an owner got absolutely fleeced in a trade, these conversations help build league rapport. It can also keep a fantasy league engaged all year long, even in the offseason.
Some people may not be comfortable giving out their phone numbers to the league. Or someone may not want to download a separate messaging app. If that’s the case, at a bare minimum you as Commissioner need to strongly encourage the league chat function available on all Fantrax leagues. This is a good substitute for a text thread and is much better than just posting on the message board.
Weekly Recap
After you’ve established your group chat, let’s give the league something to talk about. Some fantasy sports platforms have automated recaps of your weekly matchups, but they’re all repetitive and basically say the same thing. Why not write up your own weekly recap for the league?
Just like the group chat, a recap is more low-hanging fruit to keep your league engaged. Not only does it create discussion, but it can create collaboration as well. Maybe you can recruit some members of the league to take sections of the recap. Or you ask a different person to contribute each week. People will look forward to your post every seven days detailing the happenings of the league and matchups. They’ll immediately look to read what you say about their team.
The last thing I’ll highly encourage for added league engagement here is to include Power Rankings in your weekly recap. There’s nothing like hearing about how you hate every team in your league because you did not rank them number one in the league.
Podcast
If you’re willing to write a weekly recap, take it one step further and do it in audio form. It seems like everyone has a podcast nowadays, so why not create one for your fantasy league? Just like with the weekly recaps, a league podcast is a fantastic way to create engagement and keep the league talking, literally.
Have a new guest on your podcast each week and give each member of the league a chance to have their voice heard by all. Discuss the results of the previous week’s matchups. Talk about recent trades. My favorite thing to do is put each guest on the spot by asking them to pick the playoff teams, even if it’s the first week of the season.
Don’t get intimidated by the “production” of a podcast. This does not need to be some large or extravagant task. I simply do a call on Skype with my co-host, the Assistant (to the) Commissioner. I can record the call and then convert the video file into an audio file to share with the league. It takes about five minutes in total, and the payoff is keeping your fantasy league engaged each and every time you release an episode.
Content
The last bit of advice on how to keep your fantasy league engaged takes more effort on your end as a commissioner. Weekly recaps and/or podcasts are great ways to add content, but if you take it further you will really see the engagement levels rise.
Writing articles specific to your league is an easy first step. Not sure what to write about? Take the Power Rankings idea and expand on it in a longer form. Write an analysis of which teams have gotten lucky and unlucky based on fantasy points. Opinion pieces are great because they foster conversation and encourage discussion where others disagree.
Encourage your league mates to write as well. People will buy in and invest mentally and emotionally in a league if they are more involved with it. Be a resource on topics for when someone wants to write, but is not sure what to write about. You can help guide them with some material ideas.
The best piece of content I have done with my dynasty league is a season preview (digital) magazine. It is a massive undertaking acting as a writer, editor, and publisher all in one. However, the engagement, excitement, and overall energy generated throughout the league on “Magazine Drop Day” is equally as massive. If you can get collaboration from the entire league (or at least some of it) to help you put together a magazine, you’ll immediately see league engagement increase.
Each preseason the guys in my league anxiously await the release of the magazine, and are proud of their article and rankings contributions. And undoubtedly, there is some write up that goes viral with a load of hilarious claims and information (viral on our smaller scale of course). A magazine specifically dedicated to your fantasy league is by far one of the premier ways you can generate engagement through content.
For more great rankings and analysis, make sure to check out our 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit!
GIVEAWAY ALERT! 🚨🏈
We are excited to be launching another giveaway, where ONE lucky winner will receive an Official NFL Travis Kelce Signed Jersey!
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— Fantrax (@Fantrax) July 4, 2023