The NFL will no longer do a program that had promoted fantasy football toward those under the age of 13, including programs in schools.
It may seem like a common sense thing, but gambling is not something that you want to go out and actively teach children while they are in elementary school or even younger. Apparently, the NFL never got that memo until now.
A previous program run by the league that included a school plan that looked and felt an awful lot like the same fantasy football leagues adults live their lives around each fall will be revamped to look less like something that involved gambling, according to the league. It will also no longer be offered as a lesson for schools.
One of the major differences is that the program will no longer offer kids money for winning their “lesson”, something that was a major sticking point with parental groups who advocated for a complete elimination of the program, but are happy with the changes:
"“We are pleased that the NFL has agreed to make these changes, and young children will no longer have a financial stake in the outcome of its games,” said Josh Golin, executive director of the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood. “It is also good news for parents that the league will no longer enlist teachers and schools in an effort to get children into the habit of playing fantasy sports.”"
It’s still pretty crazy that someone actually thought “Hey, here’s a good idea: lets have kids come in after recess and decide between Aaron Rodgers and Cam Newton for this week’s games”. Things like this are why the NFL continues to be the most popular sport money wise, but not in the court of public opinion.
For more NFL news, check out our NFL hub page.