Fantasy football, an interactive game created in 1962 by an Oakland area businessman has become a growing industry in the sports world. With increasing popularity by the year, fantasy football has become almost an occupation for some.

Orono senior Nick Hamaty stated, “Even though I already have a job, fantasy football is my true occupation.”

Companies involved with fantasy football are hiring sports analysts to be solely focused on the game itself.

The simple rules of the game go as such: draft a team, manage and compete. Okay… fantasy football gets much more in depth than those simple logistics. Leagues usually consist of eight, 10 or 12 teams.

Team owners draft NFL players they feel will have the best season. A team contains all different positions including quarterbacks, receivers, running backs, tight ends, defense, and a kicker. NFL players receive points based on their production in that week of play.

At the end of what seems like our three week summer comes draft day for fantasy football participants.

“Getting together with the guys and drafting our teams is one of the best days of the year,” expressed Orono senior Jack Haglin. Fantasy football drafts can take place both in person or online.

One fact agreed upon by all fantasy football team owners is the difficulty of managing a team.

“I often get up at the wee hours of the morning on Tuesdays to get first dibs on free agents,” said Orono senior Ethan Heidorn.

The word ‘manage’ is an understatement to the amount of work put into a team. Picking up free agents, watching podcasts, listening to fantasy football analysts and setting your lineup are all aspects in operating a team.

Fantasy football is becoming more popular year by year. Fantasy football is the most popular online game in the world with more than 15 million users. Not only is the youth’s involvement in this industry striving, but it is also becoming popular with the working crowd.

In fact, Orono students, your very own teachers participate in a league.

“I am in a few leagues with friends and my teams generally dominate. Call me the Goliath of fantasy football,” stated OHS social studies teacher David Herring.

“Mind games are often played between all of us. It’s all fun and games and we enjoy it,” explained Orono English teacher Jarrett Lundquist.

The time and effort put into this interest makes it not just a game to some, but a lifestyle.

Conor Borgert is Sports Editor of The Spartan Speaks