Fidelity’s Fantasy Football Policy is a Very Real Killjoy

“Firing a guy for being in a $20 fantasy league? Let’s be honest; that’s a complete overreaction,” said Pettigrew, who lives in Grapevine and has an MBA from the University of Texas at Arlington. “In this economic time, especially. To fire people over something like this, it’s just cold.”

Said Fidelity spokesman Vin Loporchio: “We have clear policies that relate to gambling. Participation in any form of gambling through the use of Fidelity time or equipment or any other company resource is prohibited. In addition to being illegal in a lot of places, it can also be disruptive. We want our employees to be focused on our customers and clients.”

Pettigrew, who was the commissioner of his league, knew Fidelity had a policy against playing fantasy football at the office. But he said the policy was poorly communicated and ignored by leadership. Pettigrew said there were at least 10 fantasy leagues in which leaders and managers played.

Still, on Oct. 20, Fidelity officials investigated the matter after they intercepted e-mails exchanged in a different office league. After questioning the commissioner of that league, they discovered Pettigrew also ran an office league. Four league commissioners lost their jobs at Fidelity.

Sorry you got swept up in Fidelity’s sweeping fantasy football purge of 2009. I too know the sting of stringent Internet sports-related company policies. You can always put that MBA to good use as a money-savvy sports blogger. Not facing draconian punishment for joining a fantasy league is an obvious perk. Heck, you’d be remiss if you weren’t in a half-dozen or so leagues. I should mention that as a blogger, you’ll have a harder time scaring up that $20 entry fee than an investment banker. Trade-offs, as always.