Most fantasy football managers leave during this week of the season

Do you thrive or stagnate when it comes to your fantasy football team? Week 10 of the NFL season sees most people finally give up, according to a new study.

A new survey of 2,000 Americans who play fantasy football conducted a health check on how managers are currently coping as they pursue personal and strategic glory. If you’re still playing, you’re doing better than the 16% of managers who have already quit in week 6.

Another 59% said they are “hanging in there” but still hope they can improve as the season progresses, while 31% say they are currently among the leaders of their league and looking for victory.

The survey, conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Progressive Insurance, found that Week 7 is the average for managers to leave.

Week 10 is the deadliest for players to quit in a single week. A determined 56% said they never give up.

For those talking in the towel, underperforming players (37%) and injuries (30%) were two of the biggest nails in their managerial coffins.

The average fantasy player regrets three draft picks (2.6), with 69% of all respondents already having to push their backup picks into starting roles.

Overall, only 33% of first-round draft picks are performing as well as expected — and one in five are weak or already on IR.

“Even the best game plans can go awry, whether on the road, in your home or even in your fantasy football league,” said Sade Balogun, senior business leader for brand experience at Progressive Insurance. “Just like in real life, having a good backup plan is critical.”

The results also highlighted the huge amounts of effort and preparation that go into a person’s fantasy football career – the average manager spends 4.5 hours a week on their picks, researching players and planning their strategies.

Over the course of a full 18-week season, assuming they don’t quit, the typical fantasy manager accumulates 81 hours or the equivalent of 10 full work days dedicated to their fantasy football dreams.

If more proof of commitment were needed, an incredible one in three fantasy football managers (35%) would rather win their league than their favorite NFL team win the big game.

The league average buy-in was found to be $60, but the average pollster is still smart when it comes to their fantasy finances.

According to the results, the average fantasy football enthusiast spent $1,014.5 in their lifetime in fantasy leagues, but only earned $1,205.6 — giving them a marginal profit of nearly $200.

And where there are fantasy winners, there are fantasy losers—one of the time-honored traditions of fantasy football is having an embarrassing penalty for those who finish dead last.

One in five respondents have taken part in a penalty league, with seven per cent of the panel actually receiving penalties.

The survey asked respondents to name their punishment and found a range of hilarious and embarrassing responses.

One respondent said they had to wear a bikini and walk down the street in the middle of a cold winter’s day, while another had to shave their head completely bald. Another respondent had to treat the league winner to an expensive dinner three separate times.

Win or lose, respondents are split on how much skill you really need in fantasy – 31% of respondents say it’s more skill-based, but 23% say it’s more luck than anything else.

“Fantasy football success is not just about having the best draft. It is about the ability to direct and implement backup plans when faced with challenges,” Balogun said. “Right when players are ready to give up on their season is the perfect time to call for a backup, and we’re excited to give struggling teams a second chance at a winning season with our Fantasy Backup Draft Sweepstakes .”

THE MOST FANTASY FOOTBALL PENALTIES IN THE LAST COUNTRY (Answers edited for clarity)

• “I had to buy dinner for everyone else in the league while wearing an outfit of their choice.”
• “I had to eat five raw eggs.”
• “I had to dress up as a maid and throw a party with friends and family in attendance.”
• “I had to treat the winner to dinner three times.”
• “I had to wear a bikini and walk down the street on a cold winter day.”
• “I had to buy beer for everyone for a week.”
• “I had to post something embarrassing on my social media accounts.”

Survey methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 people who participate in fantasy football; the survey was commissioned by Progressive and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between October. 4 and October. 11, 2024.