The Female Fantasy Football Revolution: Team Names Edition
There’s no doubt about it: women are changing the face of the NFL. With a share of 45% in viewership (source: Reuters, Feb 2017) and an increasing number of on-field hires like 49ers Assistant Coach, Katie Sowers (picture above) and behind-the-scene leaders like NFL’s Director of Football Development, Samantha Rapoport, football is making gains in gender inclusion*. Now that the NFL includes female coaches, referees, three female owners, and other business development positions, fantasy football is another mega-business looking to include more women in its ranks.
From female fantasy analysts like Jersey Jen @FFdeJENerate to the women at Her Fantasy FB, fantasy football is now more-than-ever an exciting way to spend your next few months scheming over lineups, making strategic trades, and prepping to hoist that trophy come Week 16.
But first things first: your team name. Team names are a hallowed tradition in fantasy football. Whether raunchy (I see you ‘Morning Woodheads’), silly, bitingly witty, or taunting, your team name will stare down at your opponents lower on the league rankings all season long. Better make it count.
Here are some fantasy football team name tips to get those creative juices flowing:
Know Your Audience
Before you begin brainstorming, remember your audience. Is this a work league? Keep it professional. The last thing you want is to have to explain to your HR Director that the ‘Jacquizz In My Pants’ championship banner over your cubicle was a silly pun on a mediocre (shots fired!) player’s name. If your workplace is more casual, follow the tenor of the league and adjust your team names accordingly.
Examples:
- PB & Jay Cutler
- Beauty and the Beast Mode
- Gurly Talk
- AphTHROWdite
Hit the PUNchline
A roster can be the richest resource for team names. Get to rhyming and start mining players’ names for some treasures. Nobody is off-limits. Extra points if you draft the actual player on your team!
Examples:
- Ladies and Edelman
- DangerRuss Liaisons
- Roast Beast Mode
- The Boldin the Beautiful
- Luck be a Lady
Pop Culture Crossovers
Thank goodness the season starts nearly as Game of Thrones ends! I don’t know what I’d do with Sundays if they lacked for either for much longer. Make fantasy football that much more apart of your interests by flavoring your team name with your personal favorites. GoT fan? Hello, ‘Mother of Touchdowns.’ Star Wars fan? Pleased to meet you, ‘Wookie of the Year’! Getting married soon? Then you’re ‘Getting Mariota-ed!”
Rivalries and Hometown Team Allegiances
Most fantasy football players still have a home team that they root for. While one of my favorite benefits of fantasy football is becoming a fan of multiple teams, I know who I’m rooting for each Sunday in particular. Have a team rivalry? Team name gold!
Examples (with apologies to team fans):
- Deflaters Gonna Deflate
- San Francisco 4th & 9ers
- Can I Borrow Your Chargers?
- Down On Your Luck
Good luck this season, ladies!
Featured Photo: Katie Sowers, San Fransisco 49ers Assistant Coach
*On a Side Note
As a woman, football fan, and author of this article, it’s important for me to personally acknowledge the NFL and Roger Goodell’s less-than-commendable domestic violence policy. For further reading on the subject, articles by Bleacher Report (LINK) and The Washington Post (LINK) tackle this difficult issue. As a consumer, you have every right to make choices about your participation in the NFL and fantasy football.
Suggest a Team Name for Our Article
Jessie May is a lifelong Pacific Northwest resident and football fan. As a manager and commissioner of multiple leagues, she is a committed researcher and amateur fantasy football analyst.

Amanda S
August 28, 2017 at Monday, August,28
Mine is That Gurley Girl…