How Monster League Is Reinventing Fantasy Football | Elevator Pitch Winner Ben Oppenheimer

Nigel Eccles on Building FanDuel, AI, Prediction Markets & the Future of Fantasy Sports

FanDuel co-founder Nigel Eccles joins the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Spotlight podcast just moments after being inducted into the Fantasy Sports Hall of Fame at the FSGA Summer Conference. In this candid conversation with Footballguys founder Joe Bryant, Nigel reflects on building FanDuel from a $15 domain name into one of the world's leading gaming companies, the role the FSGA played in that journey, and where innovation is headed next. Topics include: • Nigel's Fantasy Sports Hall of Fame induction  • The early days of FanDuel and building a category-defining company  • How the FSGA helped shape FanDuel's growth  • The evolution of fantasy sports regulation and prediction markets  • AI, avatars, and the future of gaming experiences  • Why human connection will remain essential in an AI-driven world  • Sentient Studios and Nigel's latest ventures in artificial intelligence Read the full Fantasy Sports Hall of Fame announcement:  https://members.thefsga.org/news/Details/nigel-eccles-elected-to-fantasy-sports-hall-of-fame-341851 [https://members.thefsga.org/news/Details/nigel-eccles-elected-to-fantasy-sports-hall-of-fame-341851] Learn more about the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association:  https://thefsga.org [https://thefsga.org] Subscribe for more conversations with the innovators shaping the future of fantasy sports, sports betting, and gaming. #FSGA #NigelEccles #FanDuel #FantasySports #AI #SportsBetting #PredictionMarkets #SportsBusiness #Gaming #Podcast

How Monster League Is Reinventing Fantasy Football | Elevator Pitch Winner Ben Oppenheimer

What happens when you combine Pokémon, fantasy football, and a passion for building something different? In this episode of the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Spotlight, Brett Lanier, Co-Founder & CEO of Bettor Vision, sits down with Ben Oppenheimer, Co-Founder of Monster League and winner of the 2026 FSGA Summer Conference Elevator Pitch Competition. Ben shares the story behind Monster League, how the game unexpectedly exploded during beta, and why listening to your users may be the most important part of building a successful startup. Topics include: • Winning the 2026 FSGA Elevator Pitch Competition  • The inspiration behind Monster League's unique gameplay  • Combining fantasy football with creature collecting and adventure mechanics  • Growing from 10 friends to thousands of players  • Lessons learned from launching a startup  • Why customer feedback drives every product decision  • Building fantasy sports experiences for the next generation of fans  • Why founders should attend the FSGA Summer and Winter Conferences Whether you're a fantasy sports fan, startup founder, or sports tech entrepreneur, this episode is packed with valuable insights and an inspiring founder story. Learn more about the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association:  https://thefsga.org [https://thefsga.org] Subscribe for more conversations with the innovators shaping the future of fantasy sports, sports betting, and gaming. #FSGA #FantasySports #MonsterLeague #Startup #SportsTech #FantasyFootball #Gaming #SportsBusiness #Podcast

How to Build a Fantasy Sports App People Actually Love | Product Design Expert Erica Loh Jones

What makes a great fantasy sports product? In this episode of the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Spotlight, Kamini Manivannan, Founder & CEO of Laces Sports, sits down with Erica Loh Jones, Founder of ELJ All Day and former Head of Product Design for Yahoo Sports and Yahoo Fantasy Sports. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in sports, gaming, and product design, Erica shares practical advice for founders, product leaders, and innovators looking to build engaging fan experiences. Topics include: • Erica's first experience attending the FSGA Summer Conference  • Lessons from leading product design at Yahoo Sports and Yahoo Fantasy Sports  • The biggest challenges facing fantasy sports founders today  • How startups can innovate faster than large companies  • Why understanding your customers is the key to product success  • The future of fantasy sports, AI, prediction markets, and fan engagement  • Why the FSGA community is helping shape the future of the industry Whether you're building the next fantasy sports platform or simply interested in sports technology and fan engagement, this conversation is full of actionable insights. Learn more about the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association:  https://thefsga.org [https://thefsga.org] Subscribe for more conversations with the innovators shaping the future of fantasy sports, sports betting, and gaming. #FSGA #FantasySports #YahooSports #ProductDesign #SportsTech #FanEngagement #Startup #AI #SportsBusiness #Podcast

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 [https://thefsga.org/] Follow the podcast and subscribe on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@FantasySportsandGaming [https://www.youtube.com/@FantasySportsandGaming]  #FantasySports #YahooFantasy #SportsMedia #FantasyFootball #FSGA #SportsBetting #ContentMarketing #FantasyBaseball #SportsBusiness #GamingIndustry

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/