Ever since fantasy sports stepped into the picture, they have exploded in popularity.

    Professional sports are the most watched programs in the U.S. and fantasy sports are making them even more popular. Fantasy sports are not ruining the professional sports experience, but enhancing.

    I never really paid too much attention to NFL games until I joined a fantasy football league with some friends. Now, I am constantly checking stats on my phone and watching games.

    Fantasy sports have increased the number of sports fanatics. There are plenty of others, like me, who would not be nearly as attentive to what is going on in sports if it were not for a fantasy league.

    The increasing number of people playing fantasy football, baseball, soccer, and more, also increases the amount of people watching those sports. Not only are people watching their favorite team, but they are watching other games going on with players on their fantasy team. This results in a higher income for channels showing the games because there are more viewers.

    “I always look forward to the NFL and NHL because I have fantasy leagues in both. I get super involved during the season and am always trying to make my team better”, said Willie Canfield, senior.

    Fantasy sports also make the overall experience more competitive. Putting money, pride, and punishments on the line playing against other people puts an even greater competitive nature around the games. I can still care about whether or not my home team wins, but I also care about individual players around the league. There is a greater consequence than just being disappointed your favorite team lost. For my fantasy football league last year, the loser had to get a spray tan in the darkest color. This motivated me to do absolutely all I could not lose, which meant putting in hours of time and research.

    “I feel guilty saying this, but if I have a player on my fantasy team playing against the Rams, I want my player to tear the Rams apart”, said David Montgomery, sophomore.

    While there are still loyal fans, more and more people are only interested in the sports because of certain players, which many people think is ruining the point behind professional sports.

    “I’d rather have the Rams win than my fantasy team for the week. I’m a huge Rams fan and always will be,” said Nathan George, senior.

    The value of rooting for the home team is taking a backseat to fantasy sports. Many die hard home team fans see this as wrongly breaking a long time tradition. People have rooted for their home team ever since professional sports began. Now, more and more people are bigger fans of their fantasy team than their home team.

    Not only are some fans upset with all of the fantasy sports, but recently, the Congress has begun to investigate whether sites like Fanduel and Draftkings follow the regulations of gambling. These sites where fans bet money on their teams and players could one day be shut down.

    In the end, after seeing both sides of the argument, the way fans are now interacting with players outweigh the negative effects of fantasy sports.