The Hidden Benefits of Fantasy Football

Every year in mid-summer, a certain group of people start gearing up for football season. Sure, players begin preparing for the season, but fantasy football team owners also begin the process of selecting their team for the coming season.

Fantasy sports players usually take a beating from the general public, the term "fantasy geek" being a common term. But getting involved in fantasy sports actually has some benefits that don't show very well on the surface.

The biggest benefit by far is being able to put together a fantasy league comprised of your old friends. The league causes you to interact with each other, in the name of good, clean fun that is highly entertaining to all. Fantasy leagues make sure old friends stay friends.

In addition, if you have kids that are interested in sports, having them help you run your fantasy team can lead to a large amount of quality time spent together. This usually works best with kids who are 8 and older, who have a genuine interest in following the sport and its players.

In many cases, old friendships that wilted out after high school are rekindled again when your buddies get together to start a fantasy sports league.

So what is the best way to go about starting one?

It really starts with a suggestion from one friend to another. Even though old friends lose touch, it seems each person has contact with one or two others and those people have contact with others still. Soon, you'll have eight people willing to play, or more, if you're lucky.

You'll then have to decide who becomes commissioner of your league, the person who is responsible for setting up the league and helping to run it. It might also be wise to have two people be co-commissioners, in case one person is unable to tend to league duties at any particular time.

As for software to run your league, it is best to purchase a commissioner-type league from one of the leading fantasy sports companies (there are many, including CBS Sportsline, ESPN, and Yahoo!). These leagues vary in price from $75 to $150. With a commissioner league, you and your friends make all the rules, decide when your draft is, and set your own schedule.

With this fine sense of control, you'll be able to create a league that works out best for everyone.

With most leagues you'll have access to a league website, where you will be able to post articles and information about your teams and owners. This can be quite humorous, with old friends busting each other's chops, so to speak!

If you have a group of friends that have been separated over the years because of work and family commitments, starting a fantasy sports league can be a great way to keep in contact with each other.