Can you make a living playing fantasy sports? The short answer is yes... if you're lucky. Take, for example, Daniel Barbarisi. A former New York Yankees beat reporter for The Wall Street Journal, Barbarisi quit his job and earned $100,000 playing fantasy sports in 2016.
Unfortunately, Barbarisi’s fantasy success is far from reality, and leaving your day job to play fantasy sports is not advised. However, you can make a living working in the fantasy sports industry – and it’s a good time to explore the job opportunities this exciting market has to offer.
While fantasy sports games have been around since the 1960s, technology has played a starting role in helping this highly niche sector boom. In fact, the global fantasy sports market is projected to grow from $27.56 billion in 2023 to $89.34 billion by 2031, meaning the industry will continue to create new career opportunities. As research suggests, the number of people with fantasy sports jobs increased by 5.3% from 2018 to 2023, and the number of fantasy sports-related businesses grew 5.9% in that same time frame.
Types of Fantasy Sports Jobs
When you think about jobs in the fantasy sports industry, talking heads on ESPN or statisticians poring over spreadsheets might come to mind. But there are many more types of roles sports fans can pursue in this flourishing sector. Here are a few.
Content Creation Fantasy Sports Jobs
You’ll find no shortage of content creation jobs in the fantasy sports market, such as Analyst, Writer, Editor, and Blogger. Many of these roles involve analyzing statistics and player performance data, news, and trends, and providing fantasy aficionados with advice on optimizing their teams.
Skills needed for content creation jobs include impeccable writing ability, attention to detail and deadlines, and solid understanding of the sport or sports you’re covering. Additionally, if you’re looking for a remote job in fantasy sports, content creation roles are your best bet. Plus, some employers hire freelance contributors, so these positions offer plenty of flexibility.
Along with professionals who specialize in the written word, fantasy sports organizations also require graphic designers, video content creators, producers, A/V specialists, and other creative team members to develop show-stopping content.
Sales and Marketing Fantasy Sports Careers
Every fantasy sports business needs Sales and Marketing professionals to attract, engage, and retain users, partners, sponsors, and other stakeholders. Sales roles (e.g., Account Executive, Account Manager) typically involve selling advertising or partnership opportunities to companies seeking to reach sports enthusiasts. More senior-level positions (e.g., Sales Director, VP of Sales) center on developing and managing sales pipelines and leading efforts to meet revenue goals.
Marketing careers in fantasy sports (e.g., Marketing Director, Digital Marketing Associate, Brand Ambassador, Social Media Specialist) comprise promoting and growing the organization’s brand while working collaboratively with Sales. Devising and executing paid search and digital advertising campaigns are also critical responsibilities in this industry.
Tech Jobs in the Fantasy Sports Industry
Software Engineer, DevOps Engineer, Front-end Developer, Game Developer, Data Analyst, and IT Support Specialist are a handful of sample tech job titles in fantasy sports. Without these roles, fantasy sports as we know it today would not exist – companies need people to create, maintain, and support the platforms, apps, and websites that power fantasy sports experiences.
It goes without saying that you’ll need expertise in specific programming languages and tech stacks to land one of these coveted roles, but degrees and formal education are not always required.
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Legal and Compliance Fantasy Sports Jobs
The fantasy sports arena is highly regulated, especially when it comes to platforms that allow sports betting and gambling. Therefore, organizations need legal experts on staff to ensure compliance and mitigate risks. Regulatory Operations Manager, Risk Manager, Paralegal, Compliance Associate, and Counsel Senior Manager are examples of career titles in fantasy sports that involve legal expertise.
Another common type of legal and compliance job in fantasy sports encompasses payment operations. As users place bets, win and lose money, and withdraw and transfer funds, fantasy sports companies need people aboard to manage these transactions. Payment Operations professionals may also detect and prevent fraud, handle chargebacks, and ensure compliance with any laws and regulations.
Other Ways to Work in Fantasy Sports
As with any other business, fantasy sports organizations require a full team to keep them running on all cylinders. Customer Support Representatives, Product Managers, HR Generalists, Event Coordinators, and Administrative Personnel are all key players.
How to Get a Job in Fantasy Sports
To find a job in such a competitive space, you’ll need to go the extra mile to stand out from the pack. And, anyone who works in fantasy sports will tell you the main requirement is passion. Therefore, demonstrate a love for the game (so to speak) in your resume, cover letter, and other communications with potential employers. Follow up on applications with enthusiasm and approach interviews with the same vivacity (and don’t forget to practice answering common and tough questions).
Skills Needed to Work in Fantasy Sports
The skills you’ll need to excel in a fantasy sports role vary based on the type of position you’re seeking. For instance, you’ll need interpersonal skills to work in a customer service role and public speaking prowess to serve as a podcast host.
Nevertheless, many job ads from fantasy sports employers mention experience in sports and/or online gaming, ability to work collaboratively, and strong communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills among their candidate requirements. It’s also safe to say that familiarity with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning is also a plus, as these tools will continue to proliferate in the coming years in every industry (not just fantasy sports).
Where to Find Fantasy Sports Jobs
While job boards like WorkInSports and organizations like the Fantasy Sports and Gaming Association (FSGA) are great places to start your hunt, remember that networking is one of the most powerful job search strategies. Fortunately, professionals in the sports job market tend to be well-connected. So, see whom you know on LinkedIn and whom they know that they can introduce you to for opportunities. Ask for informational interviews at companies you’re interested in working for, and be open to internships, freelance, contract, or part-time work to get your foot in the door. You can always advance in the company or move laterally into a role that more aptly suits your strengths.
Although you can technically make a living playing fantasy sports, we don’t recommend it. Instead, aim to make a career working in fantasy sports – you’ll still need a little bit of luck, but with passion and perseverance, you can succeed. Start searching for fantasy sports job opportunities on WorkInSports or browse our Job Search Resource Center for more game-changing career advice.
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