Forty-one million people play fantasy sports. About 3% of those partake in daily leagues, a number expected to increase significantly over the next several years. All of them, though, have changed the way sports are consumed. Fantasy has entered the mainstream, with pro leagues not only embracing the action but promoting games of their own.

Fantasy has changed so much that traditional season-long leagues are no longer the only option. Daily fantasy sports are on a meteoric rise. There are fantasy segments on Sunday morning pregame shows and fantasy tickers during games. Even athletes are playing fantasy games and talking about it openly; when Giants tight end Larry Donnell said he benched himself for his three-touchdown outburst against Washington in Week 4, the reaction wasn’t, “What are you doing playing fantasy football? ” It was, “What were you thinking?! ”

New York Daily News