LeBron James, Maverick Carter, and More Invest $7M in Fantasy Sports and Gaming Platform

LeBron James, Maverick Carter, and others invest $7 million in fantasy sports and gaming platform, Fantasy Life.

Other investors who participated in the round include Gerry Cardinale, John Legend, Fortnite co-creator and former Epic Games C-suite executive Donald Mustard, and more.

About Fantasy Sports

Launched in 2022, Fantasy Life will use the new funding to develop a more customizable app and improve mobile experiences for players. Fantasy sports enable sports fans to assemble their own handpicked all-star rosters of favored players. 

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Those customized rosters traditionally competed for cash prizes against other players, using the real statistics provided by each player on the gridiron, basketball court, baseball diamond, or any other playing field. 

It’s a complex system of scoring and tracking that lends itself to high-tech and AI-powered tools, making it easier and more engaging for fantasy sports players.

The platform was launched by veteran fantasy football personality Matthew Berry, a well-known fantasy football personality who regularly features on NBC Sports’ “Football Night in America.” 

“My entire adult life has been about helping fantasy players and sports gamers win, have more fun, and make this industry better,” said Berry. “Fantasy Life is the culmination of my decades of experience — a destination for every kind of player, from beginner to sharp. 

During the NFL season, he hosts the weekday “Fantasy Football Happy Hour” podcast, which is simulcast on NBCUniversal’s streamer, Peacock. Fantasy Life is led by CEO Eliot Crist, formerly COO of fantasy and betting platform FTN Network.

What The Investors Are Saying

Others who joined the latest round of fundraising for Fantasy Life include Roger Ehrenberg, co-owner of the Miami Marlins and Alpine Formula One Racing; Bolt Ventures, the family office of David Blitzer, co-founder of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment; RedBird Capital Partners Jeff Shell; Wasserman Ventures; YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley; and Tony Khan, owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Fulham Football Club. Previous investors include active NFL players Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Austin Ekeler.

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Maverick Carter, who is the longtime manager and business partner of NBA superstar James, said Fantasy Life felt like a “tech-forward” natural fit for the pair’s LRMR Ventures banner.

“We’re always looking for opportunities to invest in smart, creative people and businesses that share our values. What Matthew, Eliot, and the team are building with Fantasy Life hits on everything we look for,” said Carter, who is CEO of LRMR Ventures. 

“Their strong brand, incredible growth, and the market size of sports gaming make for a compelling opportunity. As an avid fantasy football and Guillotine League player myself, this is a tech-forward play that we believe will be a game changer for fantasy sports, and we’re proud to co-lead this round with our partners at SC Holdings,” he added.

The fresh influx of capital will enable Fantasy Life to build a more customizable app and enhance mobile experiences for players. Furthermore, it will facilitate its acquisition of a rival company, Guillotine Leagues. That venture was created last year by Paul Charchian, another veteran in the fantasy sports industry, through his Heavy Blade LLC banner.

“With smart, personalized tools, entertaining content, and the best damn fantasy game ever in Guillotine Leagues, we’re building a platform as obsessed with fantasy as we are. I’m incredibly honored that so many people I’ve long admired believe in what we’re doing and want to be part of the journey. I can’t wait for everyone to check out the new features and win more titles,” Berry stated.

Main Image: LeBron James, Keith Allison/Flickr