Long Time Fantasy League - End of an Era (1 Viewer)

[MrJimiT]

So I have been doing fantasy football in the same league with primarily the same guys since 1997. This year, it is appearing as if the league is retiring due to waning interest. I've been preparing all summer long - much like I have always done for 20 years, and it just feels like this revelation is blind-siding me. It's tough to explain the emotions I am feeling. I almost feel a bit guilty for having an emotional response. Have any of FBG's had to deal with long-time-leagues folding up? For me...it's kinda strange!

 

[AAABatteries]

God I've been hoping my league will fold for years - I only do it because it's a group of buddies and enjoy draft night.

 

[MrJimiT]

God I've been hoping my league will fold for years - I only do it because it's a group of buddies and enjoy draft night.

Because you were tired of that "group of buddies" or fantasy football in general?

 

[Limp Ditka]

Long time fan of your league and I have to be honest, I've been dreading this day.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

It was a run

 

[Raging weasel]

Went thru the same thing last year. It was my 1st and for many years only fantasy football league as I'd been in it since 1989.

 

[rockaction]

Huh. I'll play this straight.  i sort of enjoy that fantasy football keeps me connected to various people, entities/organizations, and the sport itself. There's such a high turnover in football that it's nice to have a personal rooting interest in order to keep up with the league, writ large.  

 

[snogger]

We are always looking to change up the league to keep interest.. We have a traveling trophy that helps.

We also found that setting it up so that those that don't make the playoffs have a reason to stay interested by setting the next years draft based on the amount of points teams score in the Bowl.

Whoever scores the most points gets #1 draft spot next year, 2nd highest gets #2, etc..

You also may want to look into FanDuels "Friend Mode".. https://www.fanduel.com/friends

Apparently you can set these up to be "Free" but I haven't created one yet so not 100% sure on that.

 

[Steve Tasker]

My original league folded 7-ish years ago.  My personal interest had been waning at the time, and some of our leaguemates had moved around the country and it wasn't feasible to do an in-person draft.  It was officially a 1-year league hiatus, but the league never reformed.  Some of the guys still play FF in various leagues, and others like me have given it up entirely.

I still keep up with the guys from the original league who were my close friends at the inception of the league, and they're still close friends today.  The other guys, I was never really particularly close with to begin with, and I haven't spoken to them in years.  

 

[otb_lifer]

Huh. I'll play this straight.  i sort of enjoy that fantasy football keeps to connected to various people, entities/organizations, and the sport itself. There's such a high turnover in football that it's nice to have a personal rooting interest in order to keep up with the league, writ large.  

i'll echo this - i'd have zero effs to give to the NFL if it weren't for fantasy/gambling. 

also, i left a long time (14 yr) league last year, and couldn't be more pleased - the guys were a bunch of overgrown frat/fanboys.  

no thanks. 

still in three big money gigs, so, bring the season on ...

 

[Chemical X]

So I have been doing fantasy football in the same league with primarily the same guys since 1997. This year, it is appearing as if the league is retiring due to waning interest. I've been preparing all summer long - much like I have always done for 20 years, and it just feels like this revelation is blind-siding me. It's tough to explain the emotions I am feeling. I almost feel a bit guilty for having an emotional response. Have any of FBG's had to deal with long-time-leagues folding up? For me...it's kinda strange!

yup, had a long time league with iFriends fold.  I found a new league.  seems like there might be some openings around somewhere.

 

[Wrigley]

Hell, draft night is the only time I get to see some of these guys

 

[eoMMan]

No, we are still going strong. Same group for well over a decade.

In fact, I fly from FL to NJ every year for the live draft (and to see some family/friends up there).

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Our league has been in business since 1989 and is still going strong.  We have a waiting list.

 

[AAABatteries]

Because you were tired of that "group of buddies" or fantasy football in general?

FF in general

 

[sbonomo]

I proved to myself last year in Tim's league that i am officially done.  After the fifth round or so i was picking best player available off of a list (half of the players i didn't know who they were), ended up in the bottom 1/4 of the league because i made zero WW pick ups, etc.  Honestly, if i watch more than a handful of games during the season that will be a lot.  Sucks getting old. 

 

[LAUNCH]

We're on our 28th year.  Scheduling the draft has been rough (auction / 5 round Rookie draft).  For the past 4 years it has felt like it was on the edge of ending, but we are on for another year.

 

[Limp Ditka]

Hell, draft night is the only time I get to see some of these guys

And the only time they have to see you.

 

[Man of Constant Sorrow]

i'll echo this - i'd have zero effs to give to the NFL if it weren't for fantasy/gambling. 

also, i left a long time (14 yr) league last year, and couldn't be more pleased - the guys were a bunch of overgrown frat/fanboys.  

no thanks. 

still in three big money gigs, so, bring the season on ...

Yep....

...I've dropped my squirrel tail leagues...

...but, if the head, breast and broth are still on the table...

..so am I! 

 

[T J]

I commished a league with friends for maybe 20 years and I retired this year. Just lost interest and I haven't really given it two thoughts. It was time.

 

[flapgreen]

I proved to myself last year in Tim's league that i am officially done.  After the fifth round or so i was picking best player available off of a list (half of the players i didn't know who they were), ended up in the bottom 1/4 of the league because i made zero WW pick ups, etc.  Honestly, if i watch more than a handful of games during the season that will be a lot.  Sucks getting old. 

You live a kickass life. I can definitely see why. I enjoy watching from afar.  

 

[boilerdave]

I'm Commish and Our League was formed in 1995.....still going strong....wait list to get in....had 2 members die ( cancer,suicide ) and people jumped on their open spots....live draft every Labor Day weekend.....

why are your guys not interested anymore?

My league among friends started with 8 teams in 1995 and I joined when it expanded to 12 teams in 1996. We've also had 2 members pass away and live draft the Saturday of Labor Day weekend.

I live an hour a way and travel the farthest to get there as the majority of the other players are still in my home town area.

Very little interest has been lost and we have no trouble finding a replacement when it occasionally becomes necessary.

 

[Gawain]

I think distance/timing has been what's knocked most interest down + some people just getting sick of the NFL.
When we started it was 8-12 guys in high school. Even when people went to school, they were still home for summer. Now, in our late 30's, 3 are in Jersey, 1 on Long Island, 2 in Mass, 1 I don't know where, 1 in PA and 4 around our hometown in way upstate NY. We don't get together anymore for the draft and I think that really kills a lot of interest.

 

[Bull Dozier]

I think Gawain is right that being able to get together for the draft is crucial.  The draft is really the only highlight of my long time local league anymore.  We've been going since '90, starting as a four teamer in high school, doing scores by hand in the news paper, and picking up guys on Wednesdays when the paper printed the league leaders in the basic stats.  Good times.  We're up to 12 teams, and all but one of us are local.  When we were in college, most of us would get together to watch games, then go out to play some touch football.  It's not quite like that anymore, but the draft is still a good time.  Without that it would wither and die I'm sure.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Commished a league of mostly "iFriends" since 1999 that we folded up after last year.  I have honestly not missed it a bit.  It's been far more freeing than I'd imagined it would be to not have to act as a babysitter to full-grown (allegedly) individuals for 7 or 8 months of the year. 

 

[jon_mx]

I've been in the same league since 1987 and it folded last year.  Really the only fun part was getting together for the draft.  That and wearing the championship belt around 24-7. 

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

I retired from my 3 leagues last year and my 20 year league folded at the same time. 

Fantasy is dying. 

 

[Tom Hagen]

I'm in a league that's been around since 1989 and 3 original members dropped out this year for lack of interest.  Like others have said I don't really enjoy magic football any more but still have a great time at the draft.

 

[belljr]

So I have been doing fantasy football in the same league with primarily the same guys since 1997. This year, it is appearing as if the league is retiring due to waning interest. I've been preparing all summer long - much like I have always done for 20 years, and it just feels like this revelation is blind-siding me. It's tough to explain the emotions I am feeling. I almost feel a bit guilty for having an emotional response. Have any of FBG's had to deal with long-time-leagues folding up? For me...it's kinda strange!

I've been running my league since 1994.   I sent out an email that I'm extremely busy and if someone else could put it together this year, I'd help out where I could.

Got one email.

Guessing it's dying

 

[belljr]

I'm Commish and Our League was formed in 1995.....still going strong....wait list to get in....had 2 members die ( cancer,suicide ) and people jumped on their open spots....live draft every Labor Day weekend.....

why are your guys not interested anymore?

We do the same thing.   And   - it seems people don't care as much.

And the Thursday games ruined everything!!!!

 

[Northern Voice]

My local league folded 6 years ago. I played in a couple leagues with people from here (Hoof league RIP) after that and a work league at my last job (which I left over three years ago). I had a friend ask me if I wanted to join a league his buddy was starting this year and I did, my first league since 2013 I guess. I've missed it a bit and haven't followed the NFL as much without being in one. 

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

We do the same thing.   And   - it seems people don't care as much.

And the Thursday games ruined everything!!!!

Over saturation.

Equal information.

NFL/Goodell social issues, cte, player/discpline etc

Busy lives.

I only maybe watch the steelers when on in my market and it has been liberating. 

 

[MrJimiT]

We do the same thing.   And   - it seems people don't care as much.

And the Thursday games ruined everything!!!!

I think there are a number of factors adding to the "disinterest" in carrying on...and the every week Thursday lineup thing IS definitely one of them. Add in the fact the growing number of suspensions and injuries to key players - it gives everything a very random feel. So I think some of the guys are probably thinking "why put in all the work and effort?" Ya I know it's always been a part of the risk....but add waning interest ON TOP OF THAT and it is a recipe for no longer continuing.

 

[IC FBGCav]

Think it might be therapeutic to post by year the league champion, rosters and draft recap.   Then you will have them immortalized.

 

[JAMES!]

Find new teams to take the place of the guys who want out. I'm in a league that started in 1990. Only 3 of the original 10 remain. League still going strong and every few years life happens and priorities change for someone and we replace them.

 

[rodg12]

Over saturation.

Equal information.

NFL/Goodell social issues, cte, player/discpline etc

Busy lives.

I only maybe watch the steelers when on in my market and it has been liberating. 

This has been a big thing for me the last few years.  I still enjoy FF, but not at the level I once did.  I used to love draft prep and finding things that no one else knew about.  Now, the auto-drafts are almost too good.  What's the fun in all that prep when the rankings already reflect the nuggets I find and an auto-draft has as much chance of making the playoffs as I do.  It's more of crapshoot avoiding injuries now than it used to be.

 

[Sabertooth]

So I have been doing fantasy football in the same league with primarily the same guys since 1997. This year, it is appearing as if the league is retiring due to waning interest. I've been preparing all summer long - much like I have always done for 20 years, and it just feels like this revelation is blind-siding me. It's tough to explain the emotions I am feeling. I almost feel a bit guilty for having an emotional response. Have any of FBG's had to deal with long-time-leagues folding up? For me...it's kinda strange!

I quit cold turkey after 20 years.  It's been great.  I don't miss it at all.

 

[Buttonhook]

I've been a commish for 17 years.  Great league, great guys, some of my closest friends.  But for the first time I'm hearing grumblings of disinterest from some of the coaches.  Seems like a common trend...

I'm fairly certain I would have quit taking FF and the NFL so seriously a few years ago, but my son (now 10) has really gotten into football the last few years and his energy and excitement keeps pulling me back. 

But FF is definitely dying, there's no way my son and his friends will be playing when they become adults.

 

[Aerial Assault]

I've been playing in an asinine seven leagues for several seasons now and last season it just felt like work.  One league is a dynasty league, total keeper, which I'll stay in for a long while as I enjoy the team-building aspect.  The others are the usual although two do have IDPs which I quite enjoy.  However, I never pay any attention to how my teams are doing while I'm watching games.  I just check on Monday night how I did.  I watch the NFL because I like it on its own merits and because I play in a survivor pool with a nice prize pool. 

Cutting to four or five leagues this season and maybe fewer next year.  

Sorry, meant to add that I don't think fantasy is dying.  It may just be reverting to its popularity circa 2003 or so, before every idiot decided they needed a team and then the joke that is DFS appeared.  However, I definitely enjoy survivor pools more.  

 

[Doug B]

And the Thursday games ruined everything!!!!

This is a bigger issue than some realize. Messed up the cadence of weekly FFL upkeep. I know a lot like "more football all the time!"... but I guess for others, life just kind of moves away from that place where that Thursday night game any kind of a priority.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

This has been a big thing for me the last few years.  I still enjoy FF, but not at the level I once did.  I used to love draft prep and finding things that no one else knew about.  Now, the auto-drafts are almost too good.  What's the fun in all that prep when the rankings already reflect the nuggets I find and an auto-draft has as much chance of making the playoffs as I do.  It's more of crapshoot avoiding injuries now than it used to be.

Exactly. It is much more random. 

 

[Sabertooth]

I've been a commish for 17 years.  Great league, great guys, some of my closest friends.  But for the first time I'm hearing grumblings of disinterest from some of the coaches.  Seems like a common trend...

I'm fairly certain I would have quit taking FF and the NFL so seriously a few years ago, but my son (now 10) has really gotten into football the last few years and his energy and excitement keeps pulling me back. 

But FF is definitely dying, there's no way my son and his friends will be playing when they become adults.

DFS took something fun - took it overboard - and ruined it.  Now it's simply blackjack.

 

[Buzzbait]

My longest league running started in 1990. For the first several years we were old school. Stats compiled by hand via the USA Today and results either emailed or faxed. We are currently 14 teams with the last turn over occurring in 2003. 

 

[Buzzbait]

This has been a big thing for me the last few years.  I still enjoy FF, but not at the level I once did.  I used to love draft prep and finding things that no one else knew about.  Now, the auto-drafts are almost too good.  What's the fun in all that prep when the rankings already reflect the nuggets I find and an auto-draft has as much chance of making the playoffs as I do.  It's more of crapshoot avoiding injuries now than it used to be.

In addition to the draft this also extends to the regular season with free agents. As the commish I'd have to compile the stats/scores by by hand and would see interesting nuggets of info that I know most of the league was missing. Now every week there are reports spoon fed to you regarding the hot waiver wire pickups. It was more fun digging for it and knowing that you were likely scooping the rest of the league.

 

[Ilov80s]

So I have been doing fantasy football in the same league with primarily the same guys since 1997. This year, it is appearing as if the league is retiring due to waning interest. I've been preparing all summer long - much like I have always done for 20 years, and it just feels like this revelation is blind-siding me. It's tough to explain the emotions I am feeling. I almost feel a bit guilty for having an emotional response. Have any of FBG's had to deal with long-time-leagues folding up? For me...it's kinda strange!

That blows. I would be pissed. This is the 15th year of a league similar to yours. We have lost a few guys a long the way but the core 7 or 8 has been the same. Luckily, it seems the commitment is strong and we have a "waiting list" so hopefully it continues for as long as this barbaric sport and our lives do. It's a fun distraction and gives me something to talk about with a group of older friends, that with a few exceptions, have grown a part. 

 

[MrJimiT]

That blows. I would be pissed. This is the 15th year of a league similar to yours. We have lost a few guys a long the way but the core 7 or 8 has been the same. Luckily, it seems the commitment is strong and we have a "waiting list" so hopefully it continues for as long as this barbaric sport and our lives do. It's a fun distraction and gives me something to talk about with a group of older friends, that with a few exceptions, have grown a part. 

I love your take on it. I'm not pissed (maybe I should be)...but weirdly it feels like a life loss to me. I would keep going if others wanted to, but I realize much of it is because of nostalgic reasons. 

After reading several posts in this thread, I can see that my situation is not a unique one. I certainly did not mean this to be a knock on FF at all. I quit playing in the multiple leagues a few years ago and put all my eggs in the basket of tradition. But now that the traditional basket is being removed, it's leaving an empty feeling. Maybe I should try a season without it. However I personally was not tired of FF. There are trends in the NFL that affect FF that I am not caring for...but not the game (FF) itself. 

 

[Buttonhook]

I agree that draft information is way too easy to come by.  I used to love drafting a sleeper gem in a late round, then start hearing everyone's draft papers being flipped around, trying to find this guy on their lists.  That hasn't happened for almost a decade...  I think the last time this happened was FWP (Fast Willie..).

 

[Pickle Rody]

So I have been doing fantasy football in the same league with primarily the same guys since 1997. This year, it is appearing as if the league is retiring due to waning interest. I've been preparing all summer long - much like I have always done for 20 years, and it just feels like this revelation is blind-siding me. It's tough to explain the emotions I am feeling. I almost feel a bit guilty for having an emotional response. Have any of FBG's had to deal with long-time-leagues folding up? For me...it's kinda strange!

I'm sorry for your loss (not schtick.)

I commish a league heading into it's 16th year. While I sometimes get annoyed at some of the other owners for having to babysit them on occasion,  I would miss it terribly if the league disbanded. 12-teamer, keeper, live draft and live awards meeting. 4 original owners remain from the initial 8-team league begun in 2002. We have spread out a little but, we are all within an hour of each other for the most part. I would be sad if this league ever folded.

Rody

 

[belljr]

I honestly feel like if it weren't for me the last 3 years or so the league would have died.   I was always in contact with people, always getting the draft together, always on people about lineups, money etc.

It probably would have died sooner if I didn't want it to keep going.

THe lack of emails this year that I said I can't run it just seals it

 

[Arodin]

I think there are a number of factors adding to the "disinterest" in carrying on...and the every week Thursday lineup thing IS definitely one of them. Add in the fact the growing number of suspensions and injuries to key players - it gives everything a very random feel. So I think some of the guys are probably thinking "why put in all the work and effort?" Ya I know it's always been a part of the risk....but add waning interest ON TOP OF THAT and it is a recipe for no longer continuing.

This is a bigger issue than some realize. Messed up the cadence of weekly FFL upkeep. I know a lot like "more football all the time!"... but I guess for others, life just kind of moves away from that place where that Thursday night game any kind of a priority.

The Thursday thing is huge for the casual leagues.  Used to be possible to run a work league where no one had to do much until Saturday and could still field a competitive team by making pickups and roster decisions leisurely on a Saturday afternoon.  Now all that has to be done around work on week nights and many don't have/want to take the time.  Their team suffers, they lose interest...

Impossible to have trade talks in casual leagues either...narrow window from the end of MNF (basically Tuesday morning) before waivers have to be run by Wednesday...add in any sort of voting mechanic and you might as well just set the trade deadline at week 1.