Paul Charchian
President
LeagueSafe
Professional & Personal Background
I relish my time working on behalf of the industry as the FSTA’s president. I spend about half of my time working with my company, LeagueSafe, and about half on FSTA matters.
Just out of college, I started a fantasy sports business in 1993, when I co-founded Fanball. The company grew from a handful of part-time enthusiasts in my apartment to 80 employees spanning offices in three cities.
I sold Fanball in 2005, and shortly thereafter started LeagueSafe, the industry’s first consumer-protection service. LeagueSafe secures fantasy league entry fees, and ensures that winners get paid. It has been used by a half-million fantasy players.
I host the longest-running fantasy sports radio show, Fantasy Football Weekly.
I was inducted into the Fantasy Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.
Statement of Interest & Qualifications
I’m the current president of the FSTA. My three-year term on the board is expiring, and I’m asking for your support to remain on the board.
With the help of the 14 other talented volunteers on our board, we’ve made countless improvements to the FSTA in my time as president. We’ve built and improved our web site. We’ve dramatically realigned our conferences, with focuses on networking and generating profitability. We’ve learned about lobbying and legislative issues. We produce the most authoritative consumer research available.
When I first became president, we had 50 member companies; today we have over 200.
It has been an honor to represent the amazing people and companies in our industry. If you’ve been to our conferences, you’ve seen the welcoming, nurturing atmosphere of the people in our industry. We share advice, build partnerships, create profitability…and have fun.
The last two years provided us with an unparalleled number of challenges. Who would have guessed that the FSTA would be at the center of a topic in a presidential debate? Our volunteer board has learned a lot (sometimes painfully) about the new realities of our business environment, and how to protect the interests of our members. We are adapting, persevering, and growing.
I hope that you’ll support me, and also support the other returning board members who are running for office. Their experience is invaluable. And best of all, with eight available seats, we will also have a lot of new faces, ideas and energy on the board.
Jay Correia
CEO
DreamCo Design
Professional & Personal Background
Over the past 5 years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some incredible people within the FSTA.
Working alongside passionate individuals who care about sports and innovation has been personally rewarding.
I’m proud that our company has had the opportunity to work with numerous operators, data-providers, news outlets, lawyers, and a number of start up businesses within our trade association. It has put us in a neutral position without any special interests for any one organization. It has also allowed me to be a first hand witness to the successes and struggles our industry has had over the last few years.
Beyond fantasy sports, I am an outdoor lover, family person, pilot, and major fan of New England Sports.
Statement of Interest & Qualifications
FSTA Legislative Committee (presently serving on committee)
FSTA Legislative & Regulatory Updates (providing update emails to FSTA members)
Author of ‘Daily Fantasy Sports’ the book (an industry best seller)
PR & Industry Advocacy Efforts (radio/tv interviews) – for fantasy sports legislation (2M+ people reached)
Owner of DreamCo Design (successful web/app/marketing company for fantasy sports industry & beyond)
My desire is to bring fresh leadership, ideas, and focus to the Fantasy Sports Trade Association. Specifically, my area of interest would be to remain involved on the Legislative Affairs Team while also assisting in other areas as necessary.
I believe our efforts should be focused on:
Strengthening & Expanding the FSTA (pursuing more businesses that operate in the industry)
Inclusive Member Representation (advocate for the interests of small and large businesses alike)
Legislative Influence (we’re a pro-business / pro-consumer association that needs to expand its influence)
Values & Ethics (better articulate our ethics, values, and code of conduct + give it more bite)
Conference Evolution (strive to provide bleeding-edge value to members and guests at our conferences)
I appreciate everyone’s support and look forward to helping the Fantasy Sports Trade Association for years to come. I’m confident that my election to the board will result in positive changes, both for our trade association as well as consumers in the industry.
Thank you for your consideration.
Nando Di Fino
Director of Content
FNTSY Sports Network
Professional & Personal Background
I’ve been involved in the fantasy industry since 2004, when I worked on Sam Walker’s book, Fantasyland. That job introduced me to Matthew Berry, and I joined up with him at Talented Mr. Roto. From there, I worked for ESPN, The Wall Street Journal (covering the industry as well as giving out advice), CBSSports.com, and now FNTSY…with fantasy-focused contributions to MLB’s Fantasy 411 TV show (I was there for the earthquake!) and podcast, SiriusXM, AOL FanHouse, the Associated Press, NY Post, NY Daily News, and a handful of other spots around the industry.
Outside of fantasy, I was a producer at CourtTV/truTV for five years, Senior Editor at Mediaite, and did a bunch of freelance work for several other non-fantasy companies.
Statement of Interest & Qualifications
I’ve been part of the fantasy industry for over a decade. And I love it. But I think it’s time to get involved outside of just saying “fantasy is great!” and tweeting obscure waiver wire suggestions.
The fact that there is an SBFSTA in existence is ridiculous. I’d make reaching out to them and offering some kind of olive branch to help repair the rift a top priority. Presenting a fractured front instead of combining resources is important. Or at least it is to me. We have enough legal and business issues facing us; a group of small companies forming their own organization should not be one of them. FSTA should serve all companies, no matter the size or interest. I’m not sure if this is a popular opinion or not, but if I’m going in there, this is going to be one of my big things — bringing people back into the fold so we can fight all these issues together. If the SBFSTA doesn’t want anything to do with us…at least we tried. But I’d like to take a shot.
I also feel like the board could use some more voices from the content side. I’m not a business guy. I’m not a lawyer. But I interact with a ton of real fantasy players every day. I have an idea of what they want. I’d like to bring those voices into these meetings.
We are an industry with a lot of issues. And many of them can be fixed by simple things like transparency and communication. We need to get the FSTA front and center so we’re ahead of issues. Monthly video updates from the leadership. Start a podcast. Pitch stories to journalists about the state of the industry and stories that highlight members.
We’re at a major point in the history of fantasy sports. Just from living my life, I see a ton more people picking up the game in offices and among groups of friends. We need to get focused, back on track, and move forward as a whole industry, without leaving anyone behind. And I’m guessing I share one big trait with everyone here: I don’t need the extra work. I don’t actually want the extra work. But I want to be sure some opinions are heard, and this ensures that happening.
Cue dramatic music. Thank you very much!
Timothy Johnson
Partner
290 Design LLC
Professional & Personal Background
Timothy Johnson has worked in the fantasy sports industry since the advent of the Apple App Store almost 9 years ago. Having worked to produce one of the first fantasy apps in the industry, he brings unique experience and history to the FSTA. Tim is a veteran software developer, having worked for Fortune 500 companies and small non-profits. Tim also holds a degree in accounting as well as a Masters in Business Administration.
In addition, He has served on other non-profit boards, such as the National Healthcare for the Homeless Council, which hosts a multi-day conference which hosts over 800 attendees annually.
Statement of Interest & Qualifications
Tim believes that the industry needs strong support from a unifying body to protect and defend it from external and internal threats in the ever changing fantasy sports landscape. His business skills and passion would be a good asset to the FSTA.
BA, University of Texas at Austin
BBA, University of Houston-Downtown
MBA, University of Houston-Downtown
Jim Jung
President
My Sports Vision, LLC
Professional & Personal Background
My name is Jim M. Jung. I’m currently the President and an owner of My Sports Vision, LLC, an Out-Of-Home Media Content Services Company. The company is entering the launch phase of a dynamic “live fantasy, to the player level” system for large screen televisions featuring all major sports. My Sports Vision’s introduction has included industry and hands on live demonstrations and is being introduced in Sports Bars across the nation as an Always On, ALL FANTASY, ALL THE TIME dedicated network. I also provide specialized Corporate Level investigative related services and consulting to various corporations, interfacing with legal firms and serving as a forensic specialist related to finance, management, information technology and security services. Prior, I was the co-founder, CEO & President of a U.S. top 10 Internet Service Provider. Our team built the Microsoft Electronic Commerce store and provided over 30,000 computers to Daimler Chrysler via Chrysler/UAW, and provided exclusive e-DSL high speed internet service to Ford employees. I negotiated, and received, one of only 3 nationwide cable provider contracts in the Internet industry during the Time Warner/AOL merger. I served on our Company B.O.D., along with former Buffalo Bills quarterback, Congressman/Vice Presidential nominee Jack Kemp and John Couch of Apple who reported directly to Steve Jobs. I was President of our cellular division of the Company, as our team grew to become the largest per capita market share distributor of cell phones in the U.S., marketing the nation’s first *free* cellular phone. Prior, I was VP of Sales & Marketing of a tire distributor and retailer, where I was responsible to grow the Company. We became the largest independent tire dealer group in the U.S. The company grew to 487 locations in 23 states and 3 countries. Prior, I served as National Sales Manager-Private Brand Wholesale Accounts for Uniroyal Tire Company. I was successful in providing impetus for 2 distribution groups to merge which created the largest private owned tire distribution group in the world, as was later profiled by Discovery Channel’s “Champions of Industry” TV show. Prior, I was the youngest District Manager of the Fram Corporation. Our team built the Detroit District from the 42nd largest district to 5th largest in 3 years. I am a graduate of Denison University, Degree-Bachelor of Arts, Field of Study Economics,
I was a Young President’s Organization member and completed the University of Pennsylvania – The Wharton School, Young Presidents Organization Special Program. I am a Knight of Columbus – Fourth Degree. I have three accomplished children. I bicycle with friends, occasionally completing up to 100 mile rides.
Statement of Interest & Qualifications
I have an interest to serve on the B.O.D. of FSTA. I have a history of becoming deeply involved, being dedicated and to contributing in the industry that I become involved in. As our company is a FSTA member and we enter the business world of Fantasy Sports, I have already become hooked from a business sense. When I had the opportunity to mention, to the now retired President of ESPN, who also went to Denison University when I described My Sports Vision to him, he stated “…that’s a “grand slam”. After researching the industry thoroughly, I can’t help but agree and to further state that the industry is a grand slam and worth fighting for. I have been fortunate with my prior B.O.D. background to have served with some very strong leaders, learn from them and gain from experience. Further, much of my career has been heavily influenced by sports. This includes early life experiences starting with great pee wee football coaches and subsequently playing Division III college football in a strong conference as a four year letter winner. I’ve had unique sporting experiences in the business world; a) as partners with Tommy Lasorda-LA Dodgers with stores in L.A. and other markets, b) being part of a small group that saved Wayne State Football from being discontinued in Detroit, c) we started Fight Night at The Palace of Auburn Hills, d) as the promoter of the second to last fight of Thomas Hearns, e) as the promoter of the Tyson/Golota fight “Showdown in Motown”, Mohammed Ali was in attendance as Laila Ali fought as well, f) as the Official Cellular Phone Company of the Back-to-Back World Champion Detroit Pistons, g) as the first Company on dasher boards in the NHL at Joe Louis Arena, h) as the Million Dollar Tire Toss at the Pontiac Silverdome, i) as some of the first rolling billboards behind home plate in the MLB at Tiger Stadium, j) my former VP of Finance moved from his VP position to the CFO of the Detroit Tigers as the new Comerica Park was built (and still holds that position). I believe that sports has a tremendous impact on making our world “go around” and am excited to offer my experience and enthusiasm to the FSTA Board of Directors.
Alex Kaganovsky
Co-founder, managing partner
FFPC: Fantasy Football Players Championship
Professional & Personal Background
My name is Alex Kaganovsky. I am 48 years old and live in New York City with my wife and two sons.
I am the co-founder and co-owner of FFPC: Fantasy Football Players Championship, a season-long fantasy football league and contest game operator.
My partner Dave Gerczak and I launched the FFPC in 2008 and what started as sort of a “passion project” has grown to be one of the most recognized brands in the pay-to-play, season-long fantasy football community. FFPC currently runs the largest season-long fantasy football contests in the industry: The FFPC Main Event and the Footballguys Players Championship (in partnership with Footballguys.com). We also run various other multi-league contests as well as over a thousand individual re-draft and dynasty leagues.
The FFPC is currently my full time job and has been for several years. In the past my professional experience includes ownership/management of a medical group as well as short stints in insurance and real estate industries.
Statement of Interest & Qualifications
In the past year, I have been heavily involved in the legislative and regulatory world of fantasy sports. I have co-founded the SBFSTA (Small Businesses of Fantasy Sports, a Trade Association) in an effort to represent the interests of the small game operators in our industry. I would like to bring the knowledge and experience I have gathered in these last twelve months to the FSTA and help prevent the fantasy sports industry from being legislated out of existence.
I also have 9 years of experience booking and planning FFPC live drafts and events in Las Vegas which may be helpful in planning future FSTA conferences.
Howard Kamen
Director/Business Development
USA TODAY/Gannett Co., Inc.
Professional & Personal Background
I’ve been with USA TODAY and Gannett Co., Inc. for 20 years in a variety of Editorial and Business Development positions. Currently, I recommend, negotiate, manage and help implement third-party content contracts (both in-bound licensing and out-bound syndication) across our 110-property USA TODAY Network. This includes many deals with FSTA member organizations. Previously, I was Deputy Managing Editor of USATODAY.com Sports and, during that time, I also headed up USA TODAY’s fantasy sports coverage. This included co-authoring a weekly fantasy football column that began running in USA TODAY print in 2004. I remain intimately involved in the fantasy sports strategy of the USA TODAY Sports Media Group. I’ve also taught “Online Journalism” as an adjunct professor at George Mason University and the University of Maryland. Prior to my time at USA TODAY, I was a staff writer for the Sports Business Daily, a weekend producer at D.C. sports talk radio station WTEM and held internships with (among others) Advantage International — now known as Octagon, the NFL Players Association and the White House Office of Communications. I have a B.A. from the University of Virginia and a J.D. from Catholic University.
Statement of Interest & Qualifications
Fantasy sports has been a personal passion since I started playing in college in the late 1980s. And it’s been an absolute thrill for me to have served on the FSTA Board of Directors during the period of time in which our industry (and organization) has undergone such tremendous growth, important changes and – finally!! – received the recognition that it so richly deserves. I hope that I’ve been able to add a little to that success by serving on the FSTA’s Executive Committee as our Secretary for the last three years. During this time, I’ve also overseen two of our conferences, been a regular member of the Conference Committee and chaired the PR Committee. In the latter role, I’ve assisted in creating our media strategy and taken primary responsibility for writing, editing and distributing FSTA correspondence to member organizations, the media and PR outlets. Most of all, I’m proud of having served on the front line with industry colleagues over the last year-plus as we, first, attempted to self-regulate and, then, successfully collaborated to push for the legalization of fantasy sports at the state level via the promotion of legislation that works for all companies. I believe even more amazing times are ahead for our industry. I’m looking forward to being a part of it of all and I’d appreciate your support for re-election to the Board.
Jeremy Levine
CEO
DRAFT
Professional & Personal Background
I have been running fantasy sports business for the last 8 years. Prior to DRAFT I ran StarStreet which we sold to DraftKings.
Statement of Interest & Qualifications
Given my experience running real money fantasy platforms, I’m directly aware of the many challenges and potential issues. I’d like to help the FSTA best serve it’s members as we well as fantasy players and the industry as whole. I’ve been directly involved with regulatory efforts as well as the underlying legality and processes of real money fantasy businesses.
Josh Moore
Owner
4for4 Fantasy Football
Professional & Personal Background
From Lansing, Michigan, I have a Computer Science degree from NC State University and 20+ years of industry experience in web development and technology. I have been playing fantasy sports since 1999 and have been working in the fantasy industry since 2003. In 2009 I purchased 4for4 Fantasy Football from founder Greg Alan and have been working full time in the industry for the last 8 years. Our business has 10xed in that time, and we are extremely proud of the products we have created and the platform and employment we have been able to provide to some of the brightest minds in fantasy football.
Statement of Interest & Qualifications
4for4 Fantasy Football has been a member of FSTA for the past 7 years. Over that time, our business has grown along with our staff. I believe my experience in the industry, my Computer Science background, and my perspective as a small business owner on the content side of the industry would be a great asset to the FSTA, and I look forward to helping us continue to move this industry forward. I also hope to use my position to lobby for a winter conference in Michigan. (Not really, on that last point)
Corey Parson
Broadcast Talent
RotoExperts
Professional & Personal Background
My career in Fantasy Sports began in 2011 as I producer for SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio, through that I made contacts all throughout the fantasy sports industry, I produced the FSWA award winning RotoExperts in The Morning from 2011 through 2016. My work with SiriusXM Fantasy has allowed me to see the inside of the industry and learn how the fantasy sports business works. I have attended 3 Fantasy Sports Trade Association Conference as well as other Industry events. My work with Scout Fantasy gave me experience in the small business side of fantasy, I helped Scout Fantasy hire talent and launch their own radio show on SiriusXM Fantasy and worked with the management of the Fantasy Football World Championships, I currently work with the Fantasy Sports Network hosting 3 daily radio shows as well as 2 weekly television shows. While working in the fantasy sports media, I have gotten the word out about the Fantasy Sports Trade Association and given members a fair platform to discuss the issues in the fantasy sports industry.
Statement of Interest & Qualifications
I would like to submit my name for consideration for the Fantasy Sports Trade Association Board of directors, in this very important time in the industry I would like to see the entire industry combine as one for the best interest of all member companies. I want to be a part of a board that promote’s growth in the small business’s of Fantasy Sports. My work in the fantasy sports media with SiriusXM and Fantasy Sports Network has help me build relationships with top business owners, legislators and ambassadors of the the industry. I am looking forward to working with the board and member companies in putting together resourceful and informative Fantasy Sports Trade Association Conferences, Fantasy Sports remains a growing industry with many great innovative companies and many more to come, please accept this as my letter of Interest and Qualification for membership in the Fantasy Sports Trade Association Broad of Directors.
Anthony Perri
President
Fantastics Fantasy Sports
Professional & Personal Background
Anthony Perri started his career as a wall street quantitative analyst in the early 1990s, where he developed several models in mortgage derivatives that are still in use today. In 1999 he founded Fantistics Fantasy Sports, where he has served as a statistician for the last 18 years. He is credited with being the first to quantify the concept of Position Scarcity into the Fantasy Draft Day ritual (1999). He occasionally hosts the Fantistics Insider Baseball and Insider Football shows with the rest of his team on Sirius XM Fantasy Sports Radio.
Statement of Interest & Qualifications
As the industry consolidates, it’s imperative that the FSTA retain its status as a strong advocate for the entire industry. As a small business owner, I would like to see both small and large companies represented as we head into the next phase. I have an BS in Accounting, and an MBA with a concentration in Applied Mathematics and Finance. I hope to leverage my strengths to the needs of our members and vision of the board.
Thank you for considering me.
Leor Rabe
Co-Founder
RotoBaller.com
Professional & Personal Background
I am a co-founder of RotoBaller.com, which is what I pour my heart, soul, and passion into every day. RotoBaller is a fantasy sports advice, analysis and news website, with a robust live chat community.
Professionally, I am a Senior Director of software development at a leading technology company in the financial services industry. I have over 10 years of experience in technology, managing teams, developing products, and building security applications for Fortune 100 financial services companies.
I also have experience in internet marketing, web development, building websites, and managing content teams of 120+ writers and editors.
I am a huge sports fan, and played many sports growing up. Sports live within my soul and are a huge part of my life. Fantasy sports have become a magnifying glass for me, expanding my love of sports into something even bigger. The baseball and football calendars drive my sense of time throughout the year. I’ve been going to Mets games since I was five years old, for better or for worse, and remain a huge diehard baseball fanatic.
Statement of Interest & Qualifications
I believe that there is a lot of room for the fantasy sports industry to grow, and I want to help drive that growth through strategic thinking and collaboration. I want to be part of something great, and help build it as well.
By working with the FSTA and it’s community of members, we can identify areas for improvement to continue building an environment that allows all of the participating members to grow together and succeed, while delivering a stronger fantasy sports experience to millions of people.
I’m very passionate about sports, fantasy sports, and building something great. The FSTA is a perfect place to apply all of these interests, and contribute my experience and skill set to an already incredible industry and organization.
Peter Schoenke
President
RotoWire.com
Professional & Personal Background
I’m Peter Schoenke and I’m the the co-founder and President of RotoWire.com, a leading content and technology provider to fantasy sports consumers and media companies including ESPN, Yahoo! Sports, Fox Sports, FanDuel, DraftKings and Sirius XM Radio. RotoWire has been a leader in fantasy sports content and an innovator in fantasy sports technology since 1997. I’ve been Chairman of the FSTA since 2010 and a board member since 2002. As head of the FSTA’s legislative affairs committee, I’ve led the effort to fully legalize fantasy sports in all 50 states which has resulted in the passage of ten laws beginning with Maryland in 2012 and then Kansas in 2015 and Virginia, Indiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado and Tennessee in 2016. I’ve testified in Congress and nine states in support of fantasy sports legislation.
Statement of Interest & Qualifications
When the fantasy sports industry was thrown into a legal crisis in the fall of 2015, I made the decision to step away from RotoWire and primarily work for the FSTA for no compensation. The survival of daily fantasy sports was at stake and the legal fallout threatened the entire fantasy sports industry. I put in 40 hours or more a week from the fall of 2015 to the summer of 2016 to coordinate the effort to keep fantasy sports fully legal. In the past year I’ve traveled to eight states, put over 7,000 miles on my car and testified in Congress and nine states in support of fantasy sports legislation. The FSTA helped passed laws in eight states in 2016, including the key state of New York where the Attorney General was taking aggressive action against paid fantasy sports companies.
While we turned the tide and the industry’s legal outlook has improved, it was not without some negative fallout for the industry. Laws were passed that had registration fees and regulatory costs that were too burdensome for small companies. We’ve made progress on this issue as a bill we helped influence and support in Missouri will lower a high tax rate, reduce registration fees and reduce regulations for smaller companies. And our job is not done as states such as Texas and Illinois still face legal uncertainty. I ask for your vote so I can continue this effort to fix existing laws where necessary, improve new legislation and work to make all forms of fantasy sports legal in as many states and jurisdictions as possible.
Stacie Stern
Manager, Government Affairs
FanDuel
Professional & Personal Background
2001 – 2007, Marketing Director, Head2Head Sports
2007-2010, Partnerships and Programs, Head2Head Sports
2010 – 2017, General Manager, Head2Head Sports
2011 – 2017, FSTA Board of Directors, Research, Conference and Legislative Affairs committees
Statement of Interest & Qualifications
Stacie Stern is Manager, Government Affairs for FanDuel. After more than a year of working with lobbyists in her home state of Arizona, and traveling to various state capitals to meet with lawmakers about fantasy sports, she feels honored to represent FanDuel, and the entire fantasy sports industry to further the conversation for reasonable fantasy sports legislation.
In 2001, Stacie joined Head2Head Sports as Marketing Director and established and maintained relationships with national print and digital media partners as their exclusive fantasy sports channel. From 2007 through 2010 Stacie managed the partnership with Turner Sports where Head2Head planned, designed, and implemented fully customized games for PGA TOUR, NASCAR and PGA of America. Stacie also directed “The Draft” – Head2Head’s Live Event division working with radio and media partners across the country from 2003-2016.
As mentioned earlier, Stacie has been working with lobbyists and lawmakers across the country to help pass legislation that allows fantasy sports players to enjoy their favorite pastime, and to clarify what fantasy sports games are, why the industry needs common sense regulation. This experience is what will help her best serve FSTA and its member companies, specifically by being part of the legislative affairs and legal committees. Stacie is excited, optimistic and passionate about the future of fantasy sports, and feels fortunate to be part of this ever-changing industry.
Kevin Vela
Managing Partner
Vela Wood PC
Professional & Personal Background
Kevin Vela is a founding partner at Vela | Wood P.C. He focuses his practice in the areas of startups, corporate law, capital raises, investment funds, and real estate investment activities. Kevin serves as general counsel for a number of small and mid-sized businesses, providing representation for business transactions, as well as day-to-day guidance on legal and operational issues. Kevin regularly advises on corporate governance matters, private fund formations and M&A activities. In recent years, he has represented both startups and investors in over $100M in seed, angel and venture rounds. Kevin was named a 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 Super Lawyers Rising Star, was honored by D Magazine as a Best Lawyer in Dallas, and is a Texas Bar Foundation Fellow, an honor granted to 1/3 of 1% of Texas attorneys.
Statement of Interest & Qualifications
We’ve been a member, and partner, of FSTA for several years now. I have a tremendous passion for the industry and I’m proud that we’re helping to pave the way for Fantasy startups, as well as state and federal legislation. We represent several companies in the space already, and are well versed in DFS regulations. As a Board member, I would strive to do two things: 1) aid in the lobbying and legislative efforts for DFS and Fantasy Sports. Fantasy sports is a national past time that appeals to a broad audience; it’s silly that a few misinformed legislators are burying what could be an economic and feel-good boom for the country. 2) really build out an amazing pitch competition. I’d like to bring in VCs to help with the judging and target a $5k – $10k cash prize.
Also, I love about $500 – $1k a year via private leagues (totally legal!) with bad fantasy moves. Hopefully being on the board will get me access to better info.
Thank you for your consideration.
Adam Wexler
CEO
SidePrize
Professional & Personal Background
Adam Wexler is the Founder and CEO of SidePrize, the digital treasurer solution for fantasy platforms. SidePrize was the Rookie of the Year in 2016 and won the only two awards at the Fantasy Sports Trade Association Summer 2015 Conference.
Prior to his latest endeavor, Adam founded Insightpool, the leading influencer marketing platform that lists clients ranging from Coca Cola to NBC Universal. Adam also consulted with the Atlanta Hawks on their digital and social strategy during their record-breaking 2014-2015 season.
Over the years, Adam has been invited to speak in front of thousands of event attendees and students about subjects such as social media and entrepreneurship. Additionally, Adam has written for a wide variety of publications such as The Huffington Post, Digiday and Salesforce. At different times, Adam has also been the voice behind numerous brands on social media including Sprite, NCAA March Madness and Cracker (the band).
Wexler graduated from The University of Georgia with a focus in Leadership studies.
Statement of Interest & Qualifications
The fantasy industry has been a rollercoaster ride since I entered the space a couple years back. I’ve unfortunately witnessed too many fantasy companies fall victim to the trickle down impact of our industry’s Fall 2015. Despite some of our own investors writing off SidePrize, I always maintained we had a unique solution for the industry, and I wouldn’t give up. Fortunately, SidePrize is my third web business, and I know what it takes to be a scrappy startup. After creatively navigating 2016, SidePrize is still standing and has a bright future ahead.
I wanted to mention a couple topics I believe I can serve the industry for the better via a board position:
-Traditional venture capital investors were pouring money into the industry during the 2014/2015 hayday, but they quickly turned their backs. That said, the fantasy players never left and there are still investable opportunities in the space. The last tech company I founded has raised upwards of $10M to date, and I know how important it is for our industry to leverage this kind of capital.
Our industry has had a significant branding problem over the last year. Considering I founded a leading social media software solution, marketing is an area where I have great experience, and I want to ensure we get the word out about the wonderful statistics our industry possesses.
I have been a web entrepreneur for over a decade, and I am happy to help audit the existing FSTA online properties to ensure we’re making the most of our assets & resources.
From my experience consulting for the Atlanta Hawks, I know what it’s like to be on the team side. We need to see some forms of participation from others that touch the industry like the teams, players, etc. Similarly, there must be ways to involve the 50M+ fantasy consumers in the FSTA, and I’d love to explore how we can get them closer to the FSTA.
Thanks for taking the time to consider my candidacy. I look forward to learning more soon.