Whether you actively follow the NFL season or not, there is an argument that the showpiece game is engrained in American culture. It was common for workplaces to celebrate the event with sweepstakes, prediction competitions, and an office pool. But in 2024, is this still common, or has the rise of working from home, fantasy sports and even offshore sportsbooks completely removed this from our culture.
Gambling Offers a Better Return
If you want to make money from American Football, there is a better way that doesn’t include work. Gamblers who want to bet on the sport can head to their favorite gambling platform or website and choose their desired wager, whether that be the match result, a specific player getting a touchdown, or another of the many markets available. A pool could leave you stuck with the Carolina Panthers, whereas offshore sportsbooks for NFL betting allow you to use your actual knowledge and there’s a sense of achievement that comes with winning.
The Advent of Working From Home Ruined Office Communities
COVID-19 changed the world, especially in terms of work. Staff and managers realized that most people were responsible enough to complete their duties from home instead of assembling in a central office. While this has many benefits, one notable criticism has been that the office community has ceased to exist. Colleagues seldom speak to one another if working remotely, meaning organizing and playing American Football competitions doesn’t happen as often.
The COVID-19 Popularity is Over
While the global pandemic ripped office communities apart, they did, however, stimulate many people to pick up sports predictions – as they had nothing else to do during the pandemic. In the era when the virus stopped professional sports and people attending live events, many casual fans watched games – and signed up for predictive game sites.
Therefore there was a large spike in popularity in the 2020 and 2021 seasons, however now that we are several years removed from that – a lot of players have dropped off and not logged back into their accounts. However, some players who signed up during this phase will still play, yet many of them have not been hooked to continue playing after the world resumed its normal activity.
Fantasy Football Offers a More Immersive Experience
Fantasy Football is a massive pastime for American Football fans, with some fans being more interested in online games than in actual matches. This allows players to chop and change their team all season long with their favorite players and those who they believe will play well in the upcoming games.
While a work-organized predictor can be fun, it doesn’t offer the same amount of customizability or immersive experience. However, it is worth noting that a work version can be more lighthearted and aimed at casual NFL followers, whereas the season-long commitment to fantasy football is for hardcore NFL fans.
Equal Work Experiences
In the modern day, there is a big focus on work being a supportive place that allows every worker the same experience – not discriminating against anyone. While an interest in American Football might not be a definable attribute, some staff members, depending on their outlook, could see the opportunity as excluding them. If those playing said activities are getting perks like time away from their workload (potentially making it harder for those not participating), it can become tricky, especially from a human resources standpoint. As such, these activities have to be inclusive. However, this doesn’t apply to smaller companies – more so corporations.
An inclusive version offers ALL employees the chance to participate in a sweepstakes. At the start of the NFL season, they are allocated a random team. The person with the Super Bowl-winning team can get a small incentive, such as a can of cola.
The Argument for American Football Work Competitions
So, given that there are pitfalls and less work-office cohesion than in the past, why should workplaces run these competitions? In some workplaces, they can help bolster the community’s spirits. Of course, the result shouldn’t be too rewarding or have an exorbitant entry fee—but a small prize can make it exciting and involve a workplace team that might not be as engaged with the sport otherwise.
Team Building at Work
The workplace is better when everyone gets on and enjoys one another’s company. You don’t have to be best friends, but having some common ground and interests makes fostering good working relationships easier. Given the popularity of American Football in the United States, it’s easy to introduce as a shared interest as most people have a basic understanding of the game.
Even if your co-workers aren’t avid NFL fans, introducing a small match predictor with the winner getting a nominal prize, like a free coffee, will foster community cohesion within the team.
Introduce Other Sports?
Remember to look around the office. Are your co-workers bothered about the NFL? Well, American Football used to be considered America’s Game. Is that still the case with newer generations? Given soccer’s global appeal, it might be that if you work with younger people, they’ll prefer to talk about Major League Soccer rather than the NFL.
It’s no secret that soccer has been declining in popularity for the best part of a decade, with the average fan age steadily rising. Given that this sport is played exclusively in North America, and now the domestic soccer division is attracting players like Lionel Messi and Lorenzo Insigne, it’s no wonder that younger generations are interested in the sport with global appeal.
If nobody likes the NFL in your office or is remotely interested in playing fantasy or even playing a predictor, explore whether there are sports that could entertain the office. It could be that your office loves baseball, basketball, or even the aforementioned soccer. Why not introduce these sports into the work socials?
Or if you’re a massive Carolina Panthers fan – why not take your team to the Bank of America Stadium to try to immerse them in your passion and see if you can make them love the NFL as much as you do? In such a case, you might be able to get them to play NFL games if they become more invested in the sport.
