LeBron James, Maverick Carter, Gerry Cardinale and More Invest $7 Million in Fantasy Life Sports and Gaming Platform

Fantasy Life, the fantasy sports and gaming platform launched in 2022 by veteran fantasy football personality Matthew Berry, has secured $7 million in a new round of fundraising from investors including LeBron James, Maverick Carter, Gerry Cardinale, John Legend and Fortnite co-creator and former Epic Games C-suiter Donald Mustard.

The new coin will help Berry’s Fantasy Life platform build out a more customizable app and mobile experiences for players. Fantasy sports is built around the principle that sports fans want the chance to assemble their own all-star rosters of favored players. Those customized rosters traditionally competed for cash prizes with other players via the real statistics laid down by each real player on the gridiron, basketball court, baseball diamond or any number of other playing fields. It’s a complicated system of scoring and tracking that lends itself to high-tech and AI-powered tools to make it easier and more engaging for fantasy sports players. And with sports wagering now legal in more than half of U.S. states (38 and counting) in the U.S., Fantasy Life is well-situated as a portal for faciliating IRL sports betting.

The fresh influx of capital also helps Fantasy Life complete its acquisition of a rival company, Guillotine Leagues. That venture was created last year by Paul Charchian, another veteran fantasy sports entrepreneur, through his Heavy Blade LLC banner.

“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. 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 is a well-known fantasy football personality who is seen on NBC Sports’ “Football Night in America.” During the NFL season, he hosts the weekday “Fantasy Football Happy Hour” podcast that is simulcast on NBCUniversal streamer Peacock. Fantasy Life is led by CEO Eliot Crist, formerly COO of fantasy and betting platform FTN Network.

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.

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.”

Crist emphasized the company’s investment in both cutting-edge tech and easy to use user interfaces.

“This next chapter of Fantasy Life is about delivering a truly player-first experience. That starts with Guillotine Leagues – a bold, survivor-style game that is fantasy for the fearless,” Crist said. “We’re excited to elevate the format for fantasy players who crave intensity and innovation.”

(Pictured: Maverick Carter and Matthew Berry)