Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association Spotlight

The FSGA
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The Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association (FSGA) Spotlight brings you face-to-face with the trailblazers and thought leaders shaping the future of the fantasy sports and gaming industries. We explore the most pressing challenges and opportunities, featuring conversations with the innovators and successful entrepreneurs who are making waves and setting new standards. From regulatory hurdles and technological advancements to the strategies for community engagement and customer acquisition, our podcast delves into the stories behind the big ideas and industry transformations that matter most. Tune in for expert insights and actionable takeaways from the people at the forefront of this rapidly evolving space.

  1. Jun 17

    Yahoo! Sports Director of Fantasy Content Shares the Industry Trends You Need to Know

    What does it take to stay ahead in fantasy sports and sports media? In this episode of the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Spotlight, FSGA's Matt Deutsch sits down with Jason Klabacha, Director of Fantasy Content at Yahoo! Sports, to discuss the evolution of fantasy sports, content creation, media trends, and the future of Yahoo Fantasy. Jason shares insights from more than a decade leading Yahoo Fantasy content, including: • How Yahoo continues to innovate after 28 years in fantasy sports • New Yahoo Fantasy products and features, including Guillotine Leagues, High Score, and Fantasy Plus • Why writing still matters in a video-first world • The skills aspiring fantasy sports and gaming professionals need today • Building newsletters, podcasts, and multi-platform content strategies • How Yahoo identifies talent and content creators • Lessons learned from projects that didn't go as planned • Fantasy football, the Chicago Bears, and Jason's favorite fantasy formats Whether you're a fantasy sports player, content creator, media professional, or industry executive, this conversation offers valuable insights into where the industry is headed. Learn more about the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association: https://thefsga.org Follow the podcast and subscribe on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@FantasySportsandGaming  #FantasySports #YahooFantasy #SportsMedia #FantasyFootball #FSGA #SportsBetting #ContentMarketing #FantasyBaseball #SportsBusiness #GamingIndustry

    25 min

  2. Mar 25

    Inside the Fantasy Baseball Experts Draft: Strategies, Surprises & League-Winning Moves

    Step inside one of the most competitive fantasy baseball draft rooms and hear how the experts are building winning teams in 2026. Hosted by Lauren Jump (RotoWire) and Matt Deutsch (VSiN), this episode features D.J. Short (NBC Sports) and Robbie Reck (HealthyLineups) breaking down the biggest fantasy baseball draft trends, bold picks, and sharp strategies coming out of the FSGA Experts League. From elite pitching surging up draft boards to late-round value plays and risk management, this is a real look at how top players approach fantasy baseball drafts. If you want an edge in your league, this episode gives you the mindset and strategy to draft smarter. Tune in, take notes, and get ready to dominate your fantasy baseball season. https://thefsga.org/

    12 min

  3. Mar 24

    From Basement Game to Billion-Dollar Industry: The Untold Story of Fantasy Sports’ Rise

    What does it take to build an entire industry from scratch - and fight to keep it alive? Live from the 2026 FSGA Winter Conference in Las Vegas, this can’t-miss conversation dives into the origin story of fantasy sports with Matthew Berry Game Changer Award winner Clay Walker. From pioneering fantasy at the NFLPA to shaping the media, licensing, and legislation that fueled a multi-billion-dollar ecosystem, Walker breaks down the pivotal moments that transformed fantasy sports into a driving force behind fan engagement, media consumption, and league revenue. This is the inside story of how fantasy went from niche hobby to the backbone of modern sports fandom - and the key players who made it happen. If you’re in the sports, gaming, or fantasy space, this is required listening. Listen or watch now to understand where the industry came from - and where it’s headed next. https://thefsga.org/

    14 min

  4. Mar 12

    How AI, NFL Expertise, and Advanced Analytics Are Changing Football Intelligence

    On this episode of the FSGA Podcast, we sit down with the team behind SumerSports, one of the most innovative football intelligence platforms in the industry. Built by former NFL executives, scouts, and engineers, SumerSports combines deep football expertise with cutting-edge AI and advanced analytics to analyze every player on every play. Originally designed to help NFL and collegiate teams make smarter personnel and strategy decisions, SumerSports is now drawing attention across the broader sports ecosystem - including the fantasy sports and gaming industry represented by the FSGA. We dive into how their technology works, why elite football minds are embracing data-driven decision-making, and what this next generation of football intelligence could mean for fantasy sports, sports betting, media, and fan engagement. For people in the Fantasy Sports & Gaming world, this conversation offers a look at how advanced analytics and AI are shaping the future of sports data - and why platforms like SumerSports are becoming part of the industry's evolving toolkit. https://sumersports.com/ https://thefsga.org/

    21 min

  5. Feb 11

    Fantasy Football Expo Overview + Ultimate Fan Experience | FSGA Spotlight

    In this episode of the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association Spotlight, we sit down with Bob Lung, founder of the Fantasy Football Expo, to discuss the partnership between FSGA and the Expo — and why the relationship continues to create real opportunities for brands, creators, and startups across the fantasy sports industry. Bob shares how FSGA’s networking and elevator pitch competition help companies build the right connections on the business side, while the Expo helps bring those innovations to the fan community and end users. Together, it’s a full-circle pathway from idea to industry to audience. This conversation reflects highlights and takeaways from last year’s Fantasy Football Expo, including the Ultimate Fan Experience and new ways fans and experts can connect. Learn more at TheFantasyFootballExpo.com and subscribe for more FSGA Spotlight conversations. Next Expo: Canton, Ohio | July 24–26, 2026

    14 min

  6. Jan 13

    From Community to Company: Building a Fantasy Football Media Brand with Faraz Siddiqi

    In this episode of FSGA Spotlight, we’re joined by Faraz Siddiqi, Founder & Chief Operator of Upper Hand Fantasy, to talk about building one of the most engaged fantasy football communities on Instagram and beyond. Faraz shares how Upper Hand Fantasy grew from a passion project into a full-fledged media business, why platform-specific content matters, and how focusing on community engagement has driven long-term growth. The conversation also explores content strategy, creative teams, brand partnerships, and why in-person industry events like the FSGA Conferences play a major role in turning relationships into real business opportunities. We also dive into Faraz’s take on the evolving fantasy football landscape, content creation in short-form video, and what’s next for fantasy media. 🎤 Faraz will also be a speaker at the 2026 FSGA Winter Conference (https://thefsga.org/2026-fsga-winter-conference/), making this episode a great preview of the insights he’ll be sharing live in Las Vegas. Upper Hand Fantasy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upperhandfantasy 📌 Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping fantasy sports and sports gaming. #FantasyFootball #FantasySports #SportsGaming #SportsBetting #FSGA

    15 min

  7. 12/10/2025

    Building the Future of Fantasy Sports: Women Founders, On-Air Talent & New Tech

    Welcome back to the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association Spotlight - your inside look at the leaders shaping fantasy sports, sports betting, gaming tech, and fan engagement. In this episode, Lauren Jump (RotoWire) sits down with three powerhouse women in fantasy sports and gaming innovation: Kamini Manivannan — Founder of Laces Sports, a fantasy app focused on education, simplified gameplay, and loyalty rewards Chelsie Cooper — Founder & CEO of Approvely, a payments platform built for the online gaming industry Claudia Bellofatto — On-Air Analyst & Host with CBS Sports, covering fantasy, betting, NBA, NHL, UFC, MLB, WNBA & more Together they discuss reinventing the fantasy onboarding experience, payments infrastructure for gaming platforms, the freelance on-air life, and the importance of getting more women involved across the industry. They also dive into funding challenges for female founders, the evolving landscape of women in sports media, and even talk about starting an all-women FSGA fantasy league. What you’ll hear: - How Laces Sports simplifies fantasy and teaches new players step-by-step - Approvely’s work building instant deposits and stablecoin infrastructure for operators - Claudia’s path as on-air talent and covering more women’s sports nationally - Real talk about investor dynamics, building networks, and women supporting women in gaming - A celebration of women founders, creators, and trailblazers changing the game If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with the innovators shaping the future of fantasy sports and gaming. Want highlights or short clips from this episode? Drop a comment below telling us what you want to see next!

    15 min

  8. 11/11/2025

    Coopetition Over Competition: Why This Industry Actually Cares

    In this episode of the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association Spotlight, host Brett Lanier sits down with Justin Schoenfelder for a refreshingly honest conversation about what makes the fantasy sports and gaming industry truly different. Justin introduces us to the concept of "coopetition" - a perfect word that captures the unique blend of competition and cooperation that defines the FSGA community. Unlike other conferences where interactions feel purely transactional, the FSGA is a place where people genuinely ask "hey man, how's the family?" and actually care about the answer. Throughout their conversation, Justin shares how the supportive nature of this community has been invaluable throughout the years, why being helpful is the smartest business strategy in a small industry, and how passion - not just profit - drives people to build companies in this space. It's a reminder that in an industry where your reputation travels fast, the relationships you build matter just as much as the business you do. Whether you're a seasoned industry veteran or just starting out, this episode will remind you why the fantasy sports and gaming community is special - and why that matters for your success. Links: Learn more about the FSGA: https://thefsga.org/ Check out Approvely: https://www.approvely.com/ Check out Fantasy Elect: https://fantasyelect.io/

    23 min
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The Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association (FSGA) Spotlight brings you face-to-face with the trailblazers and thought leaders shaping the future of the fantasy sports and gaming industries. We explore the most pressing challenges and opportunities, featuring conversations with the innovators and successful entrepreneurs who are making waves and setting new standards. From regulatory hurdles and technological advancements to the strategies for community engagement and customer acquisition, our podcast delves into the stories behind the big ideas and industry transformations that matter most. Tune in for expert insights and actionable takeaways from the people at the forefront of this rapidly evolving space.

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