Fantasy sports have come into the mainstream as of recent years, giving participants the ability to construct their own teams from the superstars of a particular sport for competition in fantasy sporting leagues. As with any sport, competitiveness can turn ugly, as in the following example.

This reporter has come across information regarding a Yahoo! online fantasy football league where its contestants will stop at nothing to better their team. Bribery, treachery and unsportsman-like conduct are not unheard of in the IBM Football League (IFL). In the preceding. picture taken last Tuesday, we see Keith Frost of Durham, NC and Joseph Engler of Cary, NC exchanging money so that Joseph Engler will bench his complete team in the last regular-season game of their league.

How could it come to bribery?
The answer is simple. Keith Frost partook in bribery with the sole intent of getting his team to finish #1. Keith Frost is currently in fierce competition with Russell Scheerer of Cary, NC for the top honors in the league. Russell is currently #1 and Keith is currently #2 in the standings. This week Keith faces off Joseph Engler's team, which has been slowly gaining momentum in the league. If Keith wins and Russell loses, then Keith can move into the #1 spot and score home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Without a victory, Keith has an outside chance of missing the post-season. Keith bought off Joe to ensure a play-off spot and to try to land the #1 spot in the IFL. Rumor has it, Keith was spotted leaving the Scheerer residence that same evening.

What happened to the integrity of fantasy football? It makes a reporter like this want to quit watching the game for good!!