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Study: 23M women playing fantasy football

Posted at 1:58 PM, Sep 22, 2015
and last updated 2015-09-22 13:58:49-04

TULSA - Fantasy football. It's not just for guys.

A recent study by American Express found that one in five women in the U.S. are taking part in fantasy football leagues. And about half of them are playing for money.

So when a group of local women get together on Sunday nights to go over their league, it's not exactly your mom's girls' night.

Shellie Seibert, Janie Deitz and April Siebert spend months researching their picks for their fantasy football league. Make no mistake, they know what they're talking about, maybe even more than the fellas in their league.

"I think we know more than they do. I think they underestimate a little bit how much goes into researching. It's months worth of pouring over magazines for the people who are really into it."

Their knowledge of the game, the teams and the players put most guys to shame.

"I get several marriage proposals within the first 10 minutes. And It's not because of my looks."

Every Sunday they meet and talk ball, and a little trash. It can get almost as intense as the action on the field.

"It's like you're out there playing. And it gets really serious."

With many leagues include playing for money, the stakes can be high. Friendships can be made, and lost.

"Even though it's a game, you can see someone's character. So if they do something shady, like try to stack a team at the end? It's still cheating."

But among this tight group of friends, playing fantasy football has made them feel like family, a family that fights over football.

"It's kind of a holiday every Sunday. Getting together with family. Whether you are going to fight or not."

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