Fantasy Life – a fantasy sports and gaming company spanning media and tech, founded by Matthew Berry, the fantasy football personality featured on NBC Sports’ Football Night in America and host of Fantasy Football Happy Hour on Peacock – announced a $7 million seed round to support the launch of its new platform and the acquisition of Guillotine Leagues. Known as the official tools partner of NBC Sports, the company delivers premium content and insights to millions of fans.
The funding round was spearheaded by LeBron James’ and Maverick Carter’s LRMR Ventures and SC Holdings, led by Jason Stein. Other notable investors include:
— Eberg Capital: A private equity firm founded by 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 and owner of stakes in teams across all five major North American sports leagues, as well as several international soccer clubs
— Gerry Cardinale: Founder and Managing Partner of RedBird Capital
— Jeff Shell: Partner and Chairman of Sports and Entertainment, RedBird Capital Partners
— Chad Hurley: Co-founder of YouTube
— Wasserman Ventures: investment arm of global sports, music, entertainment, and culture company Wasserman
— Tony Khan: Owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Fulham Football Club, All Elite Wrestling, and TruMedia Networks
— SUM Ventures: Founded by Garrett Gilbertson, includes NFL star George Kittle and retired Eagles Super Bowl Champion Brent Celek.
— John Legend: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT) Award Winning Artist
— Larry Fitzgerald Jr.: Co-Founder of Trenches Capital and former NFL wide receiver
— Donald Mustard: Co-Creator of Fortnite and former Chief Creative Officer at Epic Games
They also join a roster of existing investors that includes NFL stars Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Austin Ekeler. This support has helped spark significant momentum, with Fantasy Life increasing revenue by 737% since launching in 2022, including a 230% jump from 2024 to the first half of 2025.
How the funding will be used: The funding has fueled the creation of a new fantasy ecosystem featuring improved technology, expanded tools, new content offerings, and a mobile-first experience designed for scale – reinforcing Fantasy Life as a premier destination for fans and marking the beginning of a transformative new phase, driving growth and innovation in fantasy sports.
Guillotine Leagues: Central to the new Fantasy Life is a revamped version of Guillotine Leagues – which is a high-stakes, week-to-week survival format now featured in a fresh, next-gen experience that sets it apart in the fantasy space.
The key upgrades include: A fully redesigned app and web experience, now faster, more scalable, and engineered for deeper engagement. The new Guillotine League app is now available on iOS, with Android availability later this summer.
KEY QUOTES:
“My entire adult life has been about helping fantasy players and sports gamers win, have more fun, and make this industry better. 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.”
Matthew Berry
“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. 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.”
Maverick Carter, CEO of LRMR Ventures
“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. We’re excited to elevate the format for fantasy players who crave intensity and innovation.”
Eliot Crist, CEO of Fantasy Life
