Your fantasy football season may be over, but that doesn't mean you can't have something riding on the outcome of next sunday's NFL games.
And that something is a free pizza.
Chicago startup Box Score Games recently launched Fantasy Pizza, an app that rewards you with a pizza if a series of scenarios you're given take place during a live football game.
Here's how it works: In the free Fantasy Pizza iOS app or website, players select from one of the available NFL games. The app then shows you a pizza with 8 slices that need to be filled up with randomized events (like team point totals or offensive scenarios) that happen in a football game. The slices then fill in automatically when the event takes place. And if all 8 slices are filled, you receive a promo code for a free pizza from Papa John's.
So for example, when the Bears face Minnesota next week, scenarios could include a Bears rushing touchdown, a Vikings field goal, a safety, etc. If each of the 8 scenarios happens, you instantly receive the pizza promo code.
Once the game is activated, players can follow along in the app or receive push notifications when a slice is filled.
It's a simple concept, but one that co-founder Mike Lynch said appeals to fans looking for a second screen experience during games.
"Fans are on their phones constantly during sporting events," Lynch said. "We want to enhance that experience by these simple, easy to play games."
Since Fantasy Pizza launched 7 weeks ago, Lynch said the app has had over 250,000 game board opens. The app is currently available in Chicago, Baltimore, Indianapolis, and Phoenix, and works with select football games each week. The startup plans to expand into basketball, baseball, hockey and other sports down the road.
The app makes money by partnering with brands, like Papa John's, who pay to be on the platform.
The brilliance of Fantasy Pizza is in its simplicity. You don't have to pick a team, study game stats, or have a working knowledge of NFL rules. In fact, you don't even have to like football or watch the games to play. Just fire up the app and you'll have a 25% chance at some free pizza.
"It's a game really anyone can play, from someone who’s a diehard sports fan all the way down to the causal sports fan hanging out with their buddies," Lynch said.
