Investment Secured: $7 Million in Round Two for Fantasy Life, Supported by LeBron James
Fantasy Life, a cutting-edge fantasy sports platform founded by veteran fantasy sports personality Matthew Berry, has raised $7 million in its second funding round. The round saw participation from more than a dozen investors, including notable figures such as LeBron James and Maverick Carter, Jason Stein, Tony Khan, Roger Ehrenberg, David Blitzer, Chad Hurley, SUM Ventures, Wasserman Ventures, Fortnite co-creator Donald Mustard, former NFL star Larry Fitzgerald, and musician John Legend [1][2][3].
The investment in Fantasy Life aligns with LRMR Ventures' focus on backing smart, creative teams with shared values. Maverick Carter, a partner at LRMR Ventures, praised the platform's strong brand, impressive growth, and large addressable market in sports gaming. The company's investment in cutting-edge technology and intuitive user interfaces also made it a natural fit for their portfolio [3].
Fantasy Life's unique selling point lies in its innovative game mechanics and player-first experience. The platform offers smarter, personalized fantasy tools, unique game formats like Guillotine Leagues, and a seamless mobile experience tailored for all types of players, from beginners to experts [1][5].
The company's name is derived from Berry's 2013 book titled "Fantasy Life." Berry, who departed ESPN for NBC Sports in 2022, is now the betting/fantasy guru on Football Night in America and host of Fantasy Football Happy Hour on Peacock [4].
Unlike traditional gaming companies, Fantasy Life doesn't book bets or offer sweepstakes games. Instead, it focuses on analytics and research for bettors and fantasy football enthusiasts. The raised capital will be used to launch a new platform and to finance the purchase of Guillotine Leagues [2].
The exponential revenue growth of Fantasy Life, which has seen a 737% increase since its launch in 2022, including a 230% jump from 2024 to the first half of 2025, is likely a source of allure for investors [1]. The company's success is also reflected in the growing trend of investors embracing fantasy sports companies, as evidenced by several 2025 capital raises across the industry [1].
The investment in Fantasy Life follows a similar trend seen in the sports betting industry, where startups with ties to the industry have long attracted team owners. DraftKings (NASDAQ: DKNG) and Sportradar (NASDAQ: SRAD) are among the examples [6].
Fantasy Life is based in New York and continues to make strides in the fantasy sports and gaming industry, offering a compelling, tech-forward, and innovative platform for players worldwide.
[1] https://www.fantasylife.com/press/fantasy-life-announces-7-million-series-a-funding-round [2] https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/15/fantasy-life-raises-7-million-to-build-out-its-analytics-platform-for-fantasy-football-bettors/ [3] https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2025/06/15/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/Fantasy-Life-raises-7-million.aspx [4] https://www.nbcsports.com/press-releases/nbc-sports/nbc-sports-names-matthew-berry-bettingguru-football-night-america [5] https://www.fantasylife.com/features [6] https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimkerley/2025/06/15/team-owners-and-investors-are-betting-big-on-the-future-of-daily-fantasy-sports/?sh=68d9a4225400
- The financial success of Fantasy Life, a cutting-edge fantasy sports platform, has attracted investments from numerous entities, including personalities in sports, finance, technology, and entertainment.
- The platform's unique game mechanics and player-first experience are cited as key factors in its impressive growth.
- Fantasy Life offers smarter, personalized fantasy tools and unique game formats like Guillotine Leagues.
- The company has seen a 737% increase in revenue since its launch, with a significant 230% jump from 2024 to the first half of 2025.
- The investment in Fantasy Life aligns with LRMR Ventures' focus on backing creative teams with shared values.
- Maverick Carter, a partner at LRMR Ventures, praised the platform's strong brand, impressive growth, and large addressable market in sports gaming.
- The raised capital will be used to launch a new platform and to finance the purchase of Guillotine Leagues.
- Unlike traditional gaming companies, Fantasy Life doesn't book bets or offer sweepstakes games.
- Instead, it focuses on analytics and research for bettors and fantasy football enthusiasts.
- The investment in Fantasy Life follows a similar trend seen in the sports betting industry, where startups with ties to the industry have long attracted team owners.
- DraftKings (NASDAQ: DKNG) and Sportradar (NASDAQ: SRAD) are among the examples of this trend.
- Fantasy Life's success is also reflected in the growing trend of investors embracing fantasy sports companies.
- Several capital raises across the industry in 2025 underscore this trend.
- The company is based in New York and continues to make strides in the fantasy sports and gaming industry.
- Fantasy Life offers a compelling, tech-forward, and innovative platform for players worldwide.
- LeBron James, Tony Khan, Roger Ehrenberg, David Blitzer, Chad Hurley, SUM Ventures, Wasserman Ventures, Fortnite co-creator Donald Mustard, former NFL star Larry Fitzgerald, and musician John Legend are among the investors in Fantasy Life.
- The platform's growth echoes the bigger wins and success stories in the worlds of finance, investing, and career development.
- The company's focus on data and cloud computing, technology, and education and self-development positions it well for future growth.
- The platform's commitment to responsible gambling and skills training is an important aspect of its casino culture.
- The increased interest in sports betting, casino-and-gambling, casino-games, lotteries, and racing is shaping gambling trends worldwide.
- Casinos and gambling venues, including those in Las Vegas, are significant players in this growing industry.
- The intersection of casino culture and pop culture, particularly with celebrities endorsing or investing in gambling-related ventures, is a significant trend.
- Job-search platforms may see an increase in demand for personnel with skills in poker, sports betting, and mixed-martial-arts, given the growing interest in these areas.
