Podcast
Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association Spotlight
Hosted by The FSGA · EN
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.
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Building the Future of Fantasy Sports: Women Founders, On-Air Talent & New Tech
Dec 1000:14:48Tap to summarizeWelcome 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!
Transcribe →Coopetition Over Competition: Why This Industry Actually Cares
Nov 1100:22:43Tap to summarizeIn 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/
Transcribe →Building Real Relationships in the Fantasy Sports World
Oct 1500:14:26Tap to summarizeIn 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
Transcribe →The Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association Effect: How It Helped RotoWire Build Toward Their New App & Website Launch
Sep 1600:13:07Tap to summarizeAt 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/
Transcribe →Building Connections and Community: The Power of Networking at FSGA | Scott Fish of Scott Fish Bowl
Aug 2000:13:01Tap to summarizeJoin 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: info@thefsga.org
Transcribe →The Hidden Problem in Sports Betting No One Talks About | Approvely CEO Chelsie Cooper
Feb 14, 202500:13:26Tap to summarizeMatt 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/
Transcribe →You Be the Coach: Predictive Playcalling Meets Real-Time NFL | Aaron Rupp
Feb 14, 202500:15:55Tap to summarizeLive 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/
Transcribe →The DFS Game-Changer? Fantasy Spin’s Wild New ‘Spin Lineup’ Feature | Will Tighe of Fantasy Spin
Feb 14, 202500:14:47Tap to summarizeIs 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/
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