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Fantasy sports have long surpassed the realm of casual pastime to become a significant cultural and economic force. The first episode of the Reframe podcast took a deep dive into this fascinating world, where the line between virtual and reality blurs with every draft pick and touchdown.

Assistant Professor Brody Ruihley from Miami University's College of Education, Health, and Society is at the forefront of this transformation. His research into the rapidly evolving sports media landscape through the lens of fantasy sports reveals how impactful this endeavor is on sports, culture, and society.

Ruihley's insights shed light on why approximately 57.4 million people are more than just fans; they're active participants in a phenomenon that's reshaping how we engage with sports. These individuals aren't merely escaping reality; they're immersing themselves in a dynamic community that consumes sports media at a rate two to three times higher than traditional fans.

The podcast episode delves into the various motivations behind fantasy sports engagement, from self-esteem and camaraderie to sheer competition. It also uncovers the "stickiness" of fantasy sports websites, keeping fans engaged beyond the final whistle.

But why should you care about fantasy sports if you're not a player? Because this industry is becoming a game-changer for the sports and media world. As traditional methods of fan engagement falter, fantasy sports offer a new playbook for connecting with audiences.

Ruihley's work, highlighted in the first academic text on the subject, "The Fantasy Sport Industry," co-authored with Andrew Billings of the University of Alabama, demonstrates that fantasy sports are more than just a hobby. They're a legitimate field of study with the potential to inform industries far beyond the confines of sports.

This episode is not just for academics or fantasy sports enthusiasts; it's for anyone curious about the evolving landscape of media, culture, and human interaction. Whether you're interested in the business behind the game, the psychology of its players, or the future of sports consumption, this episode offers valuable insights.