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More time on fantasy football could mean less spent working

Andy Uhler Sep 2, 2019
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Victor Bolden of the Buffalo Bills is tackled by Jalen Collins of the Indianapolis Colts during a preseason game at New Era Field on August 08, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images

More time on fantasy football could mean less spent working

Andy Uhler Sep 2, 2019
Victor Bolden of the Buffalo Bills is tackled by Jalen Collins of the Indianapolis Colts during a preseason game at New Era Field on August 08, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images
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My cousin, Kyle, loves fantasy football. It’s safe to say he’s a fanatic. I asked him him how much time he spends playing the game per week.

“Four hour a day, seven days a week, so … 28 hours?” he estimated.

He said most of that time is spent listening to fantasy football podcasts.

“I listen to podcasts while I’m getting ready for work and usually I’ll be listening to podcasts throughout the day while I’m working,” he said.

He’s a bit of an outlier but he’s not alone in spending time on fantasy football at work. According to a survey conducted by the financial technology firm OppLoans, most people who play do the same.

“Ninety-six point six percent of respondents reported spending time at their job working on their team,” said Lane Kareska, OppLoans director of content. “Nearly an entire eight-hour workday per week is lost to fantasy football.”

And that lost time means a lot of lost money.

“Fantasy football can cost employers $9 billion in lost productivity,” said Andrew Challenger, vice president at the employment firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

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