Within the past five years or so, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of people playing fantasy football.  It has been so dramatic that it seems that every football fan under the age of 25 has at least one fantasy football team.  Many have two or three, while the most intense fantasy football fans have at least five.

Fantasy football could possibly be the greatest thing that happened to the NFL because it converts people who do not watch NFL games into casual fans who do watch NFL games and buy merchandise, which ultimately increases NFL revenue.  The problem with fantasy football is that it is changing the way the game of football is played and perceived, which could ultimately ruin the game in the long run.

The NFL is all about money and that’s no secret.  The cost of tickets at NFL stadiums is outrageously high in comparison to other sports venues.  At MetLife Stadium, for example, tickets start at $60 and that does not include the cost of parking or food.  NFL apparel is extremely expensive as well.  At most stores, a jersey costs $125, and that’s one that is not even authentic.

As many people know, fantasy football is all about offense and scoring.  Knowing this, the NFL has made a handful of rule changes that favor the offensive side of the ball.  For example, a defensive back used to be able to push and make contact with a receiver more than five yards down the field.  Now, he cannot do that, but the offensive player still can.  As a result, wide receivers push off defensive backs more often when they run routes and are open for a pass.

Another rule change has been the definition of holding.  Within the past five years, there has been a complete change in what is called holding by offensive linemen.  Five years ago, an offensive lineman was not allowed to hold the defender’s jersey.  Today, however, an offensive lineman can hold, hug, and in some cases, tackle a defensive lineman.  As a result, the quarterback has more time to throw to the open receiver, which means more touchdowns.

Another new rule is what I like to call the protect-the-superstar-quarterback rule.  Whenever a superstar quarterback such as Tom Brady or Drew Brees gets hit hard by a defensive player, yellow flags inundate the field, and the defense is called for unnecessary roughness or unsportsmanlike conduct.  This is a call that the officials never make on a no-name quarterback such as Mike Glennon or Kellen Clemens.  It is only called on superstar quarterbacks because there will be less offense if the quarterback is injured, which means less money for the NFL.

All these new rule changes clearly enhance the performance of the offense.  The reason behind it is clearly money.  More people are attracted to the higher scoring games, which means there are more people watching NFL games and buying merchandise, which means more money for the NFL.

Fantasy football as a whole is good for the NFL in that it generates millions of dollars.  The problem is that the NFL, with its major influence on fantasy football, is destined to become an offensive league, in which defense will not be a factor anymore.  We are already starting to see that with teams like the Packers making it to Superbowls without a defense capable of stopping any team.

Finally, fantasy football just ruins the fan experience.  How could a Jets fan possibly have Tom Brady or any other New England Patriot on his fantasy football team and not feel guilty as a fan?  That is the one thing I will never understand about fantasy football.