Your fantasy football league is only as good as you make it. It’s important to qualify that statement, though, as it’s a directive for all members. This isn’t something that applies just to league commissioners; this is for everyone. Yes, it starts with your commissioner, but everyone shares a responsibility in making your league active, fun, and enjoyable. So let’s take a look at some tips on how to keep your league engaged.
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How to Keep Your League Engaged
Host a Live Draft
Schedules are difficult, and that’s an understatement. Trying to coordinate the calendar for a single family is challenging enough, and then let’s multiply that by 10 or 12 league members. Just thinking about it, I already have anxiety. But this is something that has to be addressed. Do this before anything else; set up a live draft.
If this is a league of friends and acquaintances, it should be easier, as geography shouldn’t be an issue and there already should be a level of comfort. Pick a house, a restaurant, a bar, a park, anything really. But make sure that everyone is drafting together, live, and in person.
There’s nothing like getting immediate commentary on your pick, either good or bad, from your friends and league mates. Add in that trash talk factor. Have those conversations before, during, and after the draft. It sets the stage for trade discussions, but it truly gets everyone engaged by forming those connections.
If getting together in person doesn’t help, then utilize video conferencing, or at least do it online.
Create a Group Chat
You have all this momentum from draft day, but you need to keep it going. Don’t let draft day be the only day you see or talk to your league mates. Technology is our friend here, so let’s utilize it to our advantage. Pick your medium, and set up a group chat. It can be used for anything, whether it be trash talk, jokes, trade discussions, talk about the NFL, or anything else in between; let it rip.
Of course, keep anything divisive or offensive out of it, but keep the conversation going.
Weekly Recaps
This is the perfect example of not everything falling on the commissioner. Someone, or maybe a rotating cast of characters, should take a crack at putting together a weekly recap. It should mix the right amount of substance and humor, but it should spur conversation and be something anticipated.
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Team Names
I, for one, am generally guilty of this. We already know what your name is; it doesn’t need to be your team name as well. Go with something funny or topical that will generate conversation. Maybe update it each week based on your opponent? Whatever you do, have fun with it. Remember, this is a game.
Last Place Punishments
It happens every year. Whether it be terrible draft choices, injuries, bad luck, or any combination of the above, some fantasy managers have seasons that don’t go according to plan. When that happens, it’s only natural to devote your time and attention to other things. I get it, but it’s also not the best thing possible for the health of your league.
Having punishments for finishing in last place helps to mitigate that. It must be agreed to by all, and it should be safe, legal, and not offensive, but it must be funny. And maybe a little embarrassing too. But it has to be something that fantasy managers want to avoid while also bringing the league together when the punishment is enforced.
Weekly Winners
Another method of ensuring full engagement is by having weekly winners. Yes, we are playing for pride, and having group chats and an overall connection to league mates helps with this, but ultimately, money talks. This is even more critical in leagues where everyone might not know each other, so show me the money.
It doesn’t have to be a lot of money, but offer up a prize for the team that scores the most points each week. That gives every team something to shoot for in the regular season.
Viewing Parties
Set this ahead of time and include family members as well. Build that bond and connection, but schedule some games or dates each season to watch the games collectively. The last thing fantasy managers will want to do is lose, or even worse, not be competitive, in those weeks. Plus, nothing brings people together like football, snacks, and beverages.
Embrace the Keeper/Dynasty Aspect
You can make this as intense, dynasty (keep your whole roster), or low effort, keeper (even just retain one player or somewhere in between), as you want. The important thing, though, is to keep the momentum going year after year and essentially ensure there’s no offseason. Making your league a 12-month affair is the best way to keep everyone engaged. With that being the case, each team always has something to do.
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