Web football tackles financial literacy

A new web-based game offers a twist on fantasy football that helps participants bone up on financial literacy.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli has launched Financial Football 2.0, in which players move the ball down the field by correctly answering financial questions. Individuals can play on their own or against an opponent.

The game was created in collaboration with the National Football League and Visa Inc.

The game features three categories for players.

Kids 11 to 14 can be “rookies,” while teenagers 14 to 18 are “pros.” Adults are in the “Hall of Fame” category.

Players also get to choose their squad from a range of NFL teams.

Participants can warm up by reviewing a series of learning modules that review concepts such as calculating simple interest, the trade-off between owning a checking account and a certificate of deposit, and how to improve creditworthiness. An array of 42 offensive plays lets players select the level of difficulty: A hard pass play could involve a multiple-choice question along the lines of “When does a recession become official?”

Other possibilities include: “Assuming the following people — a single mother with two young kids, a single woman without children, a young married couple and an elderly man with a retired wife — earn the same salary, who needs the most life insurance?” (Answer: The single mother with two young kids).

With each correct answer, a team gains yards until a touchdown is scored.

A player can lose yards by missing a question (fumbling the ball). An opponent can stop a player at the line of scrimmage by correctly answering a separate question.

Contestants who drafted players from the New Orleans Saints are in first place in the Financial Football rankings, with the most points scored at 1,655.

The official website is newyork. financialfootball.com.