The popularity of fantasy sports for students has been rapidly growing through its ability to immerse participants in major league sports alongside friends.

Using apps from companies such as Yahoo! or ESPN, participants are able to draft their own teams with real players and professional teams. Many different sports are available, including baseball, football, basketball, and hockey. Leagues include the MLB, NFL, NBA, and NHL.

“[Fantasy sports] can bring people together and make different sports of all types really just more interesting to watch,” said freshman Patrick C.

Scoring is based on the performance of players and teams and is a way to become more involved in sports, by looking ahead to upcoming games and projected scores. Participants are able to view recent news and certain apps even have a messaging feature.

“You can draft your own team, you get to see how all of them play out, and it’s a lot of strategy that goes into it also: setting your lineup, drafting, trading, putting people on [injured reserve],” said Patrick.

29.2 million people played fantasy football, 12.5 million played fantasy baseball, and 11 million played fantasy basketball in the U.S. according to a 2022 study on Statista.

“It’s something exciting to see every Sunday when football teams play,” said sophomore Michael L.

Another appeal of fantasy sports for teens is that it is largely a game of knowledge and skill about sports and is not about gambling, depending on which app you use. The legal age to be involved in sports betting is 21 in New York. Fantasy sports is a way to be engaged in professional sports and also allows socialization with friends.

“I think it gives people a sense of camaraderie and a way to hang out with their friends and something they can all connect to,” said sophomore George S.