Fantasy Football 2022: Funny League Names to Entertain Your Friends

Who wouldn't want to be the founder, owner and/or commissioner of their own football league? While not everyone can wield the high power and responsibility of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, plenty are willing to try.

Recent spring leagues like the USFL, XFL and Fan Controlled Football have offered a real-world alternative to the NFL. For those who don't have the time, energy and millions of dollars required for a professional start-up, though, there's always fantasy.

Being the commissioner of a fantasy league comes with responsibilities. You're in charge of setting the scoring system, approving trades and, of course, handling any prize pools that may be involved. It can also be a ton of fun. Just getting a group of family, friends or coworkers together for a common activity can be a rewarding experience.

Starting a new league is also a relatively easy process. Find the right group of managers, log into a fantasy website that you like, set the parameters and schedule a draft.

While the 2022 season is set to kick off on September 8, you're just a few clicks away from founding a brand new season-long league.

The final step, and one of the most important, is to name your league. Finding the right name—something relatable and hopefully something fun—can help provide your competitors with an entertaining and memorable overall experience.

For those hoping to get a league together before next Thursday's opener between the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams, here are a few tips and suggestions for league names in 2022.

General Tips

AP Photo/John Locher

People eat and watch football at a Buffalo Wild Wings, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019, in Las Vegas. MGM Resorts International and Buffalo Wild Wings are launching a mobile football game app for customers to pick favorite NFL teams, choose weekly fantasy performers and make proposition picks. Officials said the goal is to expand later at Buffalo Wild Wings in states where sports betting is legal through a mobile app called BetMGM. (AP Photo/John Locher)

If you're a fantasy football veteran, you're probably already familiar with the general team-naming process. Take the names of one of your players, add a pop-culture reference, common phrase or pun, and stir.

Just like that, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes gives way to a team name like "What's Up, Mahomes?" or "Country Roads, Take Mahomes."

The same basic principles apply for league names, though you generally won't go with a player name as the base ingredient. If it's a family league, play off of the family name instead. Think of things like "The Jackson 10" or "HBO Hard Knox" here.

If you're starting a work league, try coming up with an occupation-related pun. "Dubs and Scrubs" could work for those in the medical field. If everyone is involved in sales, "Commission Impossible" could work for you.

More generic names like "Taking Care of Business" or "Weekday Warriors" could also be considered for work leagues.

For friend leagues, try to find a common interest or hobby with which everyone will relate. "Slightly-Off Tackle" could work for friends who frequently fish together. "Ten-Pin Titans" could be right for a group that bowls together.

It may sound a little corny, but having a league name with which everyone can relate can create a sense of camaraderie throughout the season. Remember, fantasy is competitive, but it's supposed to be fun for everyone.

Film and Television Names

Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File

FILE - An Oscar statue appears outside the Dolby Theatre for the 87th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 21, 2015. After two years of tweaking rules because of the pandemic, including allowing films to debut on a streaming service, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said Wednesday that Oscar hopefuls will once again have to launch in movie theaters. Qualifying films are allowed to premiere in theaters and on a streaming service, but their theatrical run must go for a minimum of seven consecutive days with at least one showing a day in one of six qualifying major metropolitan areas including Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File)

The Dirty Dozen

Any Given Sunday

A League of Our Own

Whose (Goal)Line is It Anyway?

This is Us

Game of (End)Zones

The Unusual Suspects

How I Metcalf Your Mother

Clash of the Tight Ends

America's Least Wanted

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If you can't find a common thread among your manager group, are starting a random internet league or simply need something quick and easy, look no further than the world of film and television.

There are plenty of sports-related movies with titles that could easily work for a fantasy league. For example, the 1999 Oliver Stone classic Any Given Sunday is a great name for a fantasy league—even though NFL games also take place on Thursdays, Mondays and sometimes Saturdays.

However, moves that aren't football- or sports-related can also work. "The Unusual Suspects" is a play on the 1995 crime drama The Usual Suspects, only with a humorous twist.

Many popular movies and television programs can be twisted into a fantasy league name by incorporating a football term, team or player name. Given the popularity of the comedy series How I Met Your Mother—and the profile of Seattle Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf—"How I Metcalf Your Mother" is a league name that should instantly click.

League-Size Suggestions

David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 09: Official NFL footballs on the sideline before the final NFL regular season game between the Atlanta Falcions and the New Orleans Saints on January 9, 2022 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

12 Angry Men (and Women)

Big 10

2 Guys, a Girl and Nine Autodrafts

Hateful Eight

First (Place)-and-11

8-Mile High

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If you want to keep things basic, you can form a league name based on the number of teams involved. This is typically either 10 or 12 teams, though eight- and 14-player leagues aren't uncommon.

While there isn't a ton of room for originality here, playing off of the league size can allow you to add a personalized flair to a simple concept. And most of the time, everyone will quickly understand the pun.

Of course, you can always mix and match themes and incorporate numbers to take things a little further. Are your leaguemates in a band together? "Eight Count" could be the perfect choice. Do you all frequent the same doughnut shop? "Baker's Dozen" is a logical choice.

The only limit is your imagination. The only real requirement is that you come up with something fun that entertains everyone involved.

Other League-Name Suggestions

If you're going to base a league name on a player, it's best to stick with recognizable stars like Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott (Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 26: Running back Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after safety Juanyeh Thomas #40 of the Dallas Cowboys intercepted a pass thrown by quarterback Jacob Eason #17 of the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter of a NFL preseason football game at AT&T Stadium on August 26, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

From A to Zeke

Brady's Bunch

Tua Cool for School

Burrow-ken Dreams

Mr. Rodgers' Neighborhood

Sunday Funday

Monday Morning Hangover

Race to Avoid Last Place

No Punt Intended

There Can Be Only One...Loser

The Motley Crew

No Fun League

Fantasy Island

The Misfits

Spreadsheet All-Stars

Playing for Keepers