Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association Spotlight

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/

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/

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/

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

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

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 rewardsChelsie Cooper — Founder & CEO of Approvely, a payments platform built for the online gaming industryClaudia Bellofatto — On-Air Analyst & Host with CBS Sports, covering fantasy, betting, NBA, NHL, UFC, MLB, WNBA & moreTogether 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 gameIf 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!

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/

In this episode of the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association Spotlight Podcast, we sit down with the team from Establish The Run, one of the most respected brands in fantasy sports content.The conversation dives into how they’ve built a loyal audience, the importance of authenticity in a growing industry, and why community and real connections still matter more than ever. From early experiences in the space to the evolution of their business, this is a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to thrive in fantasy sports and gaming.🎧 Listen for insights on:The origins and growth of Establish The RunThe role of networking and community in the industryHow the fantasy sports landscape continues to evolveAdvice for new creators and entrepreneurs in the spaceSubscribe to hear more conversations with the people shaping the future of fantasy sports and gaming.https://establishtherun.com/https://thefsga.org/#FSGA #FantasySports #EstablishTheRun #SportsBusiness #GamingIndustry #Podcast

At the FSGA Summer Conference, RotoWire unveiled something big! They officially launched their brand-new website and introduced the all-new RotoWire Fantasy Football app — the next evolution in their 27-year journey in fantasy sports.In this episode, RotoWire shares how the FSGA has been instrumental in their success, from building key partnerships with ESPN, Yahoo, and 80+ clients to protecting the industry through advocacy and collaboration.Topics include:- The debut of the new RotoWire Fantasy Football app that now includes both drafting and in-season tools and updated website- How FSGA helped RotoWire grow from its early days in 1997 to an industry leader- The importance of community and partnerships in fantasy sports- How industry events like the FSGA Summer Conference continue to shape the gameFeaturing:- Peter Schoenke (RotoWire President, Co-Founder & FSGA Board Member), Ken Crites, Lauren Jump, and Shannon McKeownThe FSGA has been a cornerstone of fantasy sports for decades, and RotoWire’s story shows just how vital that support has been.Visit RotoWire: https://www.rotowire.com/Visit The FSGA: https://thefsga.org/ 

Join host Scott Hoyt as he sits down with Scott Fish, founder of the Scott Fish Bowl (SFB), to explore the power of networking, community, and giving back in the world of fantasy football. 🏈In this episode, Scott Fish shares:- How connections made at FSGA conferences can turn into long-term partnerships and friendships- The story and growth of the Scott Fish Bowl, one of the most impactful fantasy football events- Personal insights from his journey building a platform that brings people togetherWhether you’re a fantasy football fan, an entrepreneur, or someone who loves stories about meaningful connections, this episode is packed with inspiration.🔗 Learn more: https://scottfishbowl.com/🌐 FSGA Info: https://thefsga.org/Email us: [email protected]

Matt Deutsch (VSiN) sits down with Chelsie Cooper, CEO & Founder of Approvely, to uncover the side of gaming and fantasy sports that nobody likes to talk about… payments.In this episode, Chelsie reveals:Why payment processing is still one of the biggest challenges in gaming & fantasy sportsThe fraud and chargeback nightmares operators face every dayHow Approvely is solving problems that Stripe, PayPal, and big processors won’t touchThe future of instant payments, fraud protection, and startup-friendly solutionsWhy innovation and customization give Approvely its biggest edge in gamingIf you’re building in fantasy sports, iGaming, or any regulated space, you need to hear this.🔗 Learn more: https://www.approvely.com/ 🌐 FSGA Info: https://thefsga.org/

Live from the FSGA Winter Conference at Circa Resort in Las Vegas, Trevis Waters of PlayerProps.ai sits down with Aaron Rupp, co-founder of Blue 42, an innovative NFL gaming platform where you step into the coach’s shoes. In this episode, they break down how Blue 42 blends real-time NFL tracking data with predictive strategy, creating a skill-based, second-screen (or first-screen?) experience unlike anything else in sports gaming.Aaron shares how the app works, how users score points by calling plays as they unfold, and why resetting scores every quarter makes it easy to jump in and out. They also dive into the tech behind player tracking, monetization challenges, and future expansion into NCAA, PGA, and even off-season gameplay using anonymized historical NFL data.If you're a football fan with a coach's mind—or just want a smarter way to engage with the game—this episode is a must-listen.🔗 Learn more: Blue42Gaming.com📱 Download on iOS: Search Blue 42 or Blue 42 Gaming in the App Store.🌐 FSGA Info: https://thefsga.org/

Is Fantasy Spin the next big thing in DFS? 👀Trevis Waters (PlayerProps.ai) sits down with Will Tighe of Fantasy Spin to talk about:🔥 How Fantasy Spin is changing daily fantasy with their spin-to-win lineup mechanic🎯 Why it's perfect for BOTH beginners & seasoned fantasy vets📈 Their vision for the next 12 months (and how they plan to become a household name)🏈 The future of fantasy sports beyond footballIf you’re into DFS, sports betting, or just love fantasy sports innovation — this one’s a must-watch!🔗 Learn more: https://fantasyspin.com/🌐 FSGA Info: https://thefsga.org/

In this episode, Brett Lanier of Bettor Vision chats with Tony Ryan, CEO and co-founder of Bet Caddy, the new mobile app designed to revolutionize the sports viewing experience.Bet Caddy brings all your bets, fantasy plays, and favorite teams into one personalized dashboard — giving fans one-click access to every live game across streaming platforms like ESPN+, Peacock, League Pass, and more. Instead of juggling multiple apps and remotes, Bet Caddy makes sure you never miss the plays and moments that matter most.Tony shares the story of building Bet Caddy with his co-founder, why fragmentation in sports streaming inspired the product, and how the app is set to change how fans experience March Madness, the NBA playoffs, and beyond.🔗 Learn more: https://www.betcaddy.tv/🌐 FSGA Info: https://thefsga.org/

In this episode, Brett Lanier of Bettor Vision sits down with Todd Jarvis from Aware Inc., a global leader in biometric authentication and identity verification. With more than 30 years of experience powering security for NASA, Interpol, and the U.S. military, Aware is now bringing its trusted technology into new industries—most notably gaming. Todd shares how biometrics are transforming KYC, reducing fraud, enabling responsible gaming, and helping operators navigate complex regulations. From sweepstakes to iGaming, payments to healthcare, discover why identity verification is becoming essential for the future of digital trust.🔗 Learn more: https://www.aware.com/🌐 FSGA Info: https://thefsga.org/