Fantasy Life, the gaming and fantasy sports firm founded by fantasy football figure Matthew Berry, disclosed it secured $7 million from over twelve investors in its second funding round.
The New York-based firm announced that the funding will be allocated for the debut of its new platform and to support the acquisition of Guillotine Leagues, which offers a distinct take on survivor football pick ‘em. This is Fantasy Life's initial capital raise following a $2 million seed round in 2023.
"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,” according to a statement issued by the company.
Berry established Fantasy Life in 2020, naming the business after his book from 2013 with the same title. In 2022, he left ESPN for NBC Sports as the Comcast division assured him freedom and backing to develop Fantasy Life. He is currently the betting/fantasy expert on Football Night in America and the host of Fantasy Football Happy Hour on Peacock.
Major Players Join Fantasy Life Funding Round
Although Fantasy Life has completed only two funding rounds, it demonstrates a talent for attracting prominent investors. The $7 million investment was spearheaded by LRMR Ventures, founded by LeBron James and Maverick Carter, along with Jason Stein’s SC Holdings.
Similar to LRMR, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Tony Khan and Miami Marlins co-owner Roger Ehrenberg made a second investment in Fantasy Life. David Blitzer’s Bolt Ventures, YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley, SUM Ventures, Wasserman Ventures, Fortnite co-creator Donald Mustard, ex-NFL star Larry Fitzgerald, and artist John Legend also took part in the $7 million fundraising effort.
“They join a roster of existing investors that includes NFL stars Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Austin Ekeler. That support has helped spark major momentum, with Fantasy Life increasing revenue by 737% since launching in 2022, including a 230% jump from 2024 to the first half of 2025,” according to the statement.
Startups connected to the sports betting sector have consistently drawn in team owners, including now publicly traded DraftKings (NASDAQ: DKNG) and Sportradar (NASDAQ: SRAD) as notable examples.
Investors Welcoming Fantasy Sports Companies
Although discussions about the legality of daily fantasy sports (DFS) in California continue, investors are eager to support fantasy sports companies, evident from multiple capital raises in 2025 throughout the industry.
Particular to Berry’s Fantasy Life, the company’s rapid revenue increase is probably an attractive factor for investors due to its classification as more than just a conventional gaming company.
Fantasy Life doesn’t facilitate wagers or provide lottery games. Instead, it emphasizes analytics and research for gamblers and fantasy football enthusiasts. The platform includes a comprehensive betting section designed to assist bettors in making more informed futures and player prop bets, yet Fantasy Life does not directly run a sportsbook.