ESPN Fantasy Football Parties Like It's 1979

It’s time for some ’70s fun—no disco ball required.

Instead, a gang of shaggy Carter-era friends groove to fantasy football in this retro offering from ESPN:

Breaking today, the work from BSSP is based on real league from the Jimmy Carter era and mostly eschews nostalgic cliches. It positions fantasy leagues as woven into the fabric of fandom, decades-old traditions that boogie back into the zeitgeist each year as summer starts to swoon.

“The 70’s league was an actual league started by two friends in California who might be one of the earliest ‘fantasy’ leagues known,” agency creative director Robyn Tenenbaum tells Muse. “Upon doing some internet sleuthing, we came across an article where they were mentioned and got in touch to learn more about them and tell their story.”

“The director actually had all the guys playing the friends from the 70’s league hang out before the shoot day and spend time together whenever they could so that natural camaraderie and casual friendliness would translate on camera,” Tenenbaum says.

Two other spots set in the present day rock a similar vibe. These vignettes leverage real fantasy traditions of scarfing hot wings to establish draft order and banishing losers to a plastic kids table.

“We know that the number-one reason people play fantasy football is the connection with friends and families as well as the communities built through participating,” says Alex Healy-Lucciola, ESPN’s senior director of marketing for fantasy and sports betting.

“In an increasingly digital world, people are feeling more isolated than ever and seeking a feeling of belonging,” he says. “Playing fantasy puts fans in control of building those connections and communities that create a sense of belonging. The unique traditions and stories highlight the way in which Fantasy brings people together and creates lasting, meaningful relationships.”

ESPN’s fantasy football league boasts 12 million players, the network says. The ads will mainly run across ESPN media properties.

CREDITS

ESPN
Tina Thornton – EVP, Creative Studio and Marketing
Seth Ader – VP, Brand Marketing
Alex Healy-Lucciola – Sr. Director, Brand Marketing
Jon Little – Associate Producer II
Lenny Washington – Associate Manager, Brand Marketing
John Lobo- Associate Director, Brand Marketing 

AGENCY
Sinan Dagli – Executive Creative Director
Robyn Tenenbaum – Creative Director
Lauren Byers  – Senior Art Director
Justin Cannon – Associate Creative Director
Cade Wallace – Senior Producer
Jake Bayham – Head of Strategy
Adrienne Johnson – Associate Strategy Director
Kyle Rodriguez – Group Account Director, Sports and Entertainment 
Amanda Burtnett – Account Supervisor
Kelsey Oium – Project Manager
Krista Horn – Senior Business Affairs Manager

PRODUCTION
Production Company: Revery
Executive Producers: Davis Priestley and Hanna Hagen
Line Producer: Elle Poindexter
Production Manager: Iris Cole-Hayworth
Director: Mike Egan
Director of Photography: Kevin Fletcher
Gaffer: Bruce “Sarge” Fleskes
Production Designer: Eric Schoonover
Costume Designer: Eric Orr
Location Manager: Mike Floyd 
Key Grip: Ryan Fritz
Key Hair & Makeup: Terri Lodge
Casting Director: Bill Bailey Casting

EDITORIAL / POST
Post Production Company: Revery
Post Producer: Jake Lowden
Editor: Dylan Sylwester
Color: House Post / Dylan Hageman  

SOUND DESIGN / MIX 
Mix House: Steambox 
Sound Designer / Mixer: Reed Harvey