The NFL is undoubtably the nation’s most popular sport. A few years back, fantasy football only added fuel to the fire. Instead of simply watching your favorite team play, you now have a vested interest in how particular players from other teams perform, as well.
What started as a simple way to add to the Sunday afternoon fun soon became a phenomenon that took on a life of its own. In addition to fighting for bragging rights, some leagues have elaborate draft parties and substantial cash prizes for the players that finish in the top spot. Many people have admitted that they spend nearly as much time on their fantasy football team as they do on their real jobs.
With all that’s at stake, it pays to find an edge. There’s inside information for sale online, but why part with your cash? If you leverage social media properly, you can find all the information you need to take your team all the way.
A majority of NFL players spend time on Twitter these days, and it’s a great way to get real-time information on their status. They may leak news about injuries, player feuds, or trade rumors that could have a big impact on their performance. Also, injured superstars may keep you updated on when they expect to be back on the field. A player that was originally supposed to be out for several weeks may indicate that he’ll be back sooner than expected. That gives you an advantage when trying to decide whether or not to pick him up off of the waiver wire.
If the players aren’t talking on Twitter, you can bet that the sports writers certainly will be. There’s a race to be first person to break a sports story, and Twitter is the easiest way for them to do it. With that in mind, you’ll want to follow the top sports writers in the cities that cover the players on your team.
Lastly, one of the best ways to get insider information is to simply ask for it. Post a poll on your Facebook page if you have a dilemma over who to start next week, or ask your Twitter followers what they think about your sleeper pick. Stick with questions that have a simple yes or no answer, or have a choice between two or three players. You’re much more likely to get responses if you stay away from questions that require a lot of thought or more than 140 characters to answer.
Keeps these tips in mind, and you just might find yourself holding that trophy at the end of the season.