ProFootballWeekly
Stock-market leagues could be next big fantasy trend
by Michael Blunda
August 11, 2008
Remember when VCRs were all the rage? I know, I barely can either, but I do recall being excited when my family first got one. Hey, it certainly was an upgrade over those bulky Betamax players, right?
Well, we all know what happened to VHS tapes once the DVD came along — they basically went the way of the dinosaur. Sure, some of us (myself included) still use them on occasion, but pretty soon these non-digital video machines will be as difficult to find as a slap bracelet.
So what does any of this have to do with fantasy football? The way I see it, today’s popular format of owning a fantasy team — drafting a roster, setting a lineup, adding and dropping guys, making trades, etc. — reminds me a lot of the heyday of the VCR. Everyone wants one, it’s a fun thing to have, it provides entertainment for you and your friends, and it probably isn’t in dire need of an improvement. But, as happened in the video world, a better product might have come along in the realm of fantasy sports.
Stock-market gaming could be the next wave — or DVD, to use a metaphor — of fantasy sports. Instead of the usual song and dance that you repeat every year, this style of building and maintaining your team is something wildly different. In fact, it seems to be a much more intense and captivating format than the one we’ve all been so accustomed to.
A few Web sites offer this type of league, but the one I’m most familiar with is RotoHog.com, which will be helping Pro Football Weekly host its very own fantasy game this season. There, for free, you can participate in a fantasy football game called the “Stock Exchange.”
After starting you off with 300 RotoHog dollars (not real money, unfortunately), this game simulates an actual stock-market trading floor, with NFL players representing shares of stock. Each guy’s price constantly fluctuates based on his demand — not his statistical performance — making for fairer pricing. You can make as many trades (read: roster moves) as you want, and your budget rises or falls depending on the shrewdness of your buying and selling of players. The site offers public or private leagues, and of course, if you do well, there are some nice prizes involved.
Now, I know this concept is not brand-new, and it may have some drawbacks compared to normal leagues, but it also has quite a few intriguing aspects.
For one, the inequities of the draft are eliminated. How fair is it if I draw the first pick and take LaDainian Tomlinson and you get stuck with the last pick and have to take Ryan Grant? Even if it’s a snake draft, it’s still a huge benefit to get an early pick. With the stock-market format, similar to auction leagues, you can take whichever players you want, so long as you stay within your budget. So, if you’re like me and really want to own Adrian Peterson this season, nobody can steal him from you!
Secondly, owners who stop paying attention or try to collude are no longer a problem. Face it, every year there are people in your league who either quit halfway through or try to cash in by making underhanded deals with other members of the league. Since players’ prices are set by their global demand and no trading is possible between owners, there’s no way to cheat the stock-market system. Everything is on the up-and-up.
Finally, this game is simply a lot more thrilling than your basic leagues. With the costs of players changing all the time, there’s always reason to keep one eye on the trading floor throughout the week. And those who maintain a close watch on league news always will get the best values on players. For example, if you read that Willie Parker just got hurt in practice and immediately purchase Rashard Mendenhall, his backup, you likely will get the rookie a lot cheaper than those who try buying him in the ensuing days. This style clearly rewards people who have a finger on the pulse of the NFL.
Just as it is with anything new and innovative, the stock-market game is not for everybody. If you’re the sort of owner who likes to take the hands-off approach — drafting a team and then sitting back and watching it all year — this is definitely not the format for you. Or if you love proposing trades in hopes of getting the best of one of your fellow owners, you should stick to a basic league, too. No, this game isn’t for the passive or conniving owner. It’s for the serious fantasy footballer.
So, if you’re in search of a new fantasy experience that will challenge you from now through season’s end, I suggest giving the Stock Exchange a whirl. Tell your friends about it, too. In fact, everyone can easily sign up for the Pro Football Weekly Fantasy game right through our Web site, ProFootballWeekly.com, all at no charge. You’ll be squaring off against PFW editors and fans, so it should make for some spirited competition. And don’t forget — big prizes await the winners.
I’m personally looking forward to trying out this format for the first time. Of course, I’m still going to play in two or three traditional leagues, but I like the idea of experimenting with something different. I have a feeling I’m going to become addicted to it, which will mean getting less sleep than I already do.
Only time will tell if this stock-market game catches on in popularity and develops into the next big thing. If it does, something tells me we could see basic fantasy leagues go the way of the VCR.
Source: http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/Fantasy+Football/Fantasy+Columns/2008/blunda2307.htm
