Fantasy Life Receives Major Investment Backed by LeBron James, Maverick Carter, and NFL Stars

Fantasy sports analyst-turned-entrepreneur Matthew Berry has secured a star-studded $7 million investment round for his growing media and tech company, Fantasy Life. The round is led by LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s LRMR Ventures, alongside Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Capital. Other high-profile investors include singer John Legend, YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley, Eberg Capital LLC, 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, Donald Mustard, Co-Creator of Fortnite and former Chief Creative Officer at Epic Games, Jacksonville Jaguars co-owner Tony Khan, and several NFL stars such as Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, Ja'Marr Chase and Austin Ekeler.

Fantasy Life, founded by Berry after he departed from ESPN in 2022, aims to redefine the fantasy sports experience. The company’s latest initiative, FantasyHQ, is a next-generation data and analysis platform designed to deliver highly personalised fantasy sports content. The platform will launch with sponsorship from Mike’s Hard Lemonade. It will serve as a cornerstone of Fantasy Life’s expanded digital footprint.

Berry states to journalists that his goal was not just to raise capital but to align with strategic partners who could elevate the brand, underscoring Berry's commitment to ensuring that Fantasy Life isn't merely a venture seeking investment, but one that thoughtfully brings on partners who add real value to the company's growth and direction.

In addition to FantasyHQ, Fantasy Life recently acquired Guillotine Leagues. This growing fantasy format eliminates the lowest-scoring team each week until one winner remains. The move enables Fantasy Life to control its own gaming infrastructure, data and customer experience, transitioning from a media platform to a full-stack fantasy tech provider.

This acquisition reflects Berry's long-term vision to create a more holistic fantasy sports ecosystem, where he not only provides content and analysis but also directly drives the fantasy sports gameplay experience.

Berry, who now splits his time between running Fantasy Life and serving as a fantasy analyst for NBC Sports, says this dual role provides both creative control and balance. He appears regularly on NBC, SiriusXM, Fubo, Roku and FAST networks, covering both NFL and NBA content. His expanded media presence strengthens the connection between Fantasy Life and its audience, establishing Berry as a leading voice not just in fantasy sports but in the broader sports media landscape.