NFL Players and Fantasy Football (1 Viewer)

[NFL-ons]

I am opening this discussion kind of tounge and cheek, but I am curious as to whether it could hold some validity.

I started playing fantasy football when some friends of mine, with pretty serious betting habits, decided to start a league in hopes it would crave their desires. Since then I have been amazed by the number of people who compete and the substantial prizes some big time players compete for. Recently I heard a discussion with an NFL player, albeit one with very little fantasy relevance, who played fantasy football and I recalled other interviews with more relevant fantasy players who discussed their leagues as well. Sure they are probably friendly leagues, but I can not think of one that does not offer a cash prize for its winner.

We are all familiar with the problems the NBA is currently experiencing regarding its referees playing favorites, along with the college coach who was fired for participating in an office March Madness pool and MLB's gambling past.

In the age of Roger Goodell, might we see players receive fines or suspensions for playing fantasy football?

 

[Chase Stuart]

Gambling is really tricky to define. I don't even think you can say 'I know it when I see it', because gambling to one person is often investing to another. In fact, not doing something might seem incredibly stupid to one person, but be gambling to another.

Here's the definition I like to use. An actor gambles when he subjectively makes a decision not because the ends are prudent in his mind, but when the ends do not justify the means, and the means are what the actor is after.

So for example, buying stock X, because you think stock X will go up --> not gambling.

Buying a house as a speculator --> not gambling.

In a situation where you really need $1,000, offering a coin flip where if you win you get $1,000, but if you lose you pay $1500 --> not gambling.

Playing fantasy football for money, because you believe the expected value of playing fantasy football is positive to you --> not gambling.

Playing poker, because you believe the expected value of playing poker is positive to you --> not gambling.

Playing poker, even though you think the expected value is negative, but because you enjoy the rush of waiting to see what the cards will be dealt --> gambling.

So no, I don't think playing FF is gambling. If the decision is an expected net positive for you in your own opinion (and just about every FF player thinks this), or you play for a reason other than to enjoy the uncertainty and the risk that comes with playing, then it's not gambling.

So entering the WCOFF, if you think you're more likely to win than lose --> not gambling.

Deciding to randomly stake someone at WCOFF so you can have fun and follow the results --> gambling.

As for your question about Goodell, I think the bigger issue is the appearance of impropriety. So yes, I think eventually, some NFL player will get a talking to or a slap on the wrist, at a minimum, for FF playing.