A History and Introduction to Fantasy Sports

04/04/25 • 3 min

Hey folks, I wanted to start this podcast off with some Fantasy Sports basics - a primer for all the newbies out there. Don't worry, we were all there at one point. If you are more experienced you may want to skip these episodes.
Fantasy Sports originated in the 1960s when Oakland businessman Wilfred "Bill" Winkenbach created the first fantasy football league. Since those humble beginnings, this virtual competition has exploded into a global phenomenon engaging over 60 million participants in North America alone.
Modern enthusiasts can choose between season-long commitments that mirror actual sports calendars or daily contests offering immediate gratification through quick-play formats. Each approach attracts different player types, with varying levels of dedication and strategy requirements.
Throughout this comprehensive guide, newcomers will discover essential fundamentals while experienced managers gain advanced tactics to dominate their leagues. Whether you're drafting your first team or seeking that championship edge, these insights will transform your fantasy approach.
What Are Fantasy Sports?

Fantasy Sports allow participants to build virtual teams using real athletes whose actual statistical performances translate into points within a competitive framework. These digital contests create parallel competitions where knowledge, strategy, and sometimes luck determine outcomes.
NFL football dominates the fantasy landscape, but basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, golf, and even emerging esports have developed dedicated followings. Each sport features unique scoring systems reflecting the particular statistics valued in those athletic competitions.
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) significantly differs from traditional season-long formats by compressing the experience into shorter timeframes. While season-long leagues require months of attention through waiver moves, trades, and lineup decisions, DFS contests resolve quickly—sometimes within a single day—allowing players to redraft entirely new rosters for subsequent competitions.
How Fantasy Sports Work

Snake drafts represent the most common selection method, reversing order each round to ensure fairness, while auction formats give managers fixed budgets to bid on players. Best ball eliminates weekly lineup decisions by automatically counting highest-scoring players.
Scoring systems vary dramatically across platforms and sports. Point-Per-Reception (PPR) rewards NFL receivers with additional points for catches, whereas standard formats focus primarily on touchdowns and yardage. Custom leagues permit commissioners to adjust values, creating unique strategic environments.
Redraft leagues start fresh annually, requiring complete team reconstruction. Dynasty formats allow managers to retain most roster spots between seasons, emphasizing long-term player development. Keeper leagues strike a middle ground, permitting teams to maintain limited player cores while refreshing remaining positions through annual drafts.

Previous Episode

Welcome to the Fantasy Sports Field Guide Podcast!

What's up, everyone? Welcome to the very first episode of The Fantasy Sports Field Guide Podcast. I'm your host, Steve, and I'm here to cut through the noise and give you exactly what you need to dominate your fantasy leagues.
Let's get something straight from the jump – this isn't going to be another show filled with endless hot takes and random stats that don't actually help you win. The Fantasy Sports Field Guide is built on one simple premise: giving you actionable intelligence that translates to more wins, better drafts, and smarter roster moves.
So what can you expect from this podcast? Every week, we're breaking down the fantasy landscape across all major sports. During football season, we'll dissect matchups that most analysts miss. For basketball, we're going beyond the box score to find category winners that give you the edge in head-to-head battles. And when baseball rolls around, we're identifying the advanced metrics that actually matter for fantasy success.
But here's what makes us different – we don't just tell you WHO to start or sit. We show you WHY, and teach you HOW to make these calls yourself. Because let's face it, your league isn't won on draft day. It's won through the countless decisions you make throughout the season.
Each episode follows a format designed to maximize your time and give you an edge:
First, we'll cover "The Big Picture" – major trends and shifts happening across the fantasy landscape that you need to be aware of.
Next, we dive into "The Playbook" – specific strategies for the current week or upcoming draft periods, depending on which sports are active.
Then comes "The Scouting Report" – where we highlight players flying under the radar who should be on your watch list or immediate pickup targets.
We'll wrap up with "The Mailbag" – answering your specific questions submitted through our website and social channels.
Look, I've been playing fantasy sports for years. I've won championships, and I've finished dead last. The difference wasn't luck – it was information and how I applied it. That's what I'm bringing to you each and every week.
And I'm not doing this alone. Throughout the season, we'll be bringing on fantasy analysts who specialize in different sports, professional athletes who understand the game from the inside, and even sports psychologists who can help you master the mental game of fantasy sports.
Here's what we won't do – we won't waste your time with filler content. We won't give generic advice that could apply to any league format. And we absolutely won't recycle the same takes you've already heard on every other fantasy show.
Starting next week, new episodes drop every Tuesday and Friday. Tuesday episodes focus on strategy and long-term moves, while Fridays are all about immediate weekend decisions and breaking news that impacts your lineups.
If you're tired of finishing middle-of-the-pack in your leagues... if you're sick of getting beat by the person who seems to always make the right waiver pickup... if you want to be the manager everyone fears playing against... then hit subscribe right now.
The Fantasy Sports Field Guide is your roadmap to fantasy dominance. We're launching at the perfect time to get you ready for this season, this so don't miss a single episode.
This is Steve signing off. Remember – game smarter, compete harder, win more. See you next time on The Fantasy Sports Field Guide.

Next Episode

How Fantasy Sports Work & the Right Platform

In a continuation of my "Fantasy Sports Basics" theme; here is another one for you folks just getting started. Again, more experienced folks may want to skip this episode.
How Fantasy Sports Work

Snake drafts represent the most common selection method, reversing order each round to ensure fairness, while auction formats give managers fixed budgets to bid on players. Best ball eliminates weekly lineup decisions by automatically counting highest-scoring players.
Scoring systems vary dramatically across platforms and sports. Point-Per-Reception (PPR) rewards NFL receivers with additional points for catches, whereas standard formats focus primarily on touchdowns and yardage. Custom leagues permit commissioners to adjust values, creating unique strategic environments.
Redraft leagues start fresh annually, requiring complete team reconstruction. Dynasty formats allow managers to retain most roster spots between seasons, emphasizing long-term player development. Keeper leagues strike a middle ground, permitting teams to maintain limited player cores while refreshing remaining positions through annual drafts.
Choosing the Right Fantasy Platform

ESPN provides exceptional broadcast integration, delivering video content and analysis directly alongside management tools. Yahoo boasts intuitive interfaces with robust free offerings. Sleeper has revolutionized the mobile experience with social features and modern design elements appealing to younger demographics.
DraftKings excels with tournament variety and aggressive promotional offerings. FanDuel maintains slightly simpler gameplay mechanics, making it accessible for beginners. Underdog has carved a niche through innovative "pick'em" contests combining player props with fantasy concepts.
Mobile applications now dominate fantasy engagement, though desktop platforms typically offer expanded functionality for complex tasks like draft preparation or trade analysis. Serious managers frequently utilize both formats, leveraging each platform's strengths depending on specific needs and circumstances.