There was a time when fantasy sports existed only among a handful of passionate sports enthusiasts. Today, it is a global industry worth billions of dollars, changing the way fans consume sport and interact with their favourite teams and athletes. Few people have witnessed that transformation as closely as Larry Schechter.
A fantasy baseball player since 1992, Larry Schechter first made his mark as an author with his Amazon bestseller Winning Fantasy Baseball in 2014. His latest work, The History of Fantasy Sports: And the Stories of the People Who Made It Happen, chronicles the remarkable journey of fantasy sports from its humble beginnings to becoming a worldwide phenomenon.
In an exclusive conversation with Sportsavour, Larry reflected on the inspiration behind the book, India’s booming fantasy sports market, the psychology behind fantasy gaming and where the industry could be headed next.
Nobody Had Told This Story Before
Larry Schechter: “After writing Winning Fantasy Baseball, I realised there really wasn’t a comprehensive history of fantasy sports. The industry became enormous, yet nobody had documented how it all began. I felt that story deserved to be told. Researching the book became a journey in itself. It took me about eighteen months to complete. I interviewed dozens of people who had shaped the industry because I didn’t want the book to read like a research paper. Their personal stories made the history far more interesting and engaging. I think that decision gives the book a distinctive voice- it’s not merely recounting dates and milestones, but capturing the people whose ideas transformed fantasy sports forever.”
India Has Become One of Fantasy Sports’ Biggest Success Stories
Larry Schechter: “India has become one of the biggest fantasy sports markets in the world, especially because of cricket. Dream11 initially struggled, but once it adopted the Daily Fantasy Sports model that had already become successful in the United States through DraftKings and FanDuel, everything changed. Of course, they also had to overcome legal challenges, but today they’re one of the biggest success stories in the industry. For me, India’s experience perfectly demonstrates how fantasy sports evolves differently across cultures while borrowing successful ideas from global markets.”
Fantasy Sports Make Watching Games Even More Fun
Larry Schechter: “One of the biggest criticisms of fantasy sports is that it reduces athletes to numbers and statistics. But I don’t agree with that completely. Rather, we can say Fantasy Sports are simply another layer of enjoyment. I often compare it to eating popcorn while watching a movie. The movie is enjoyable on its own, but the popcorn makes the experience even better. I’ve seen college friends stay connected for years because of fantasy leagues. Co-workers bond through competitions. Sometimes people from completely different levels of the same organisation become friends because they’re playing in the same league. So, fantasy sports strengthen communities rather than replacing traditional fandom.”
The Psychology of Being a Team Owner
Larry Schechter: “Fantasy sports allow people to become team owners and managers. You’re selecting players, making trades, setting line-ups and making strategic decisions. It allows fans to experience something they otherwise never could. Most people playing fantasy sports, perhaps, are never going to become professional athletes anyway. However, many professional athletes themselves play fantasy sports because they enjoy it.”
Never to Predict the Future
Larry Schechter: “One thing history has taught me is never to predict where fantasy sports will stop growing. People have repeatedly said the industry had reached its peak, and then something completely new emerged. Daily Fantasy Sports surprised everyone. Before that, even computer-generated player statistics in the 1980s seemed revolutionary. The industry has always found new ways to evolve. I believe innovation will continue to shape fantasy sports in ways few can currently imagine.”
Untapped Markets Still Exist
Larry Schechter: Despite fantasy sports becoming mainstream in North America, Europe, South America and India, I believe several major markets remain largely unexplored. Fantasy soccer has become very popular in Europe and South America, but countries like Japan and China still haven’t embraced fantasy sports to the same extent. There’s tremendous potential there if the market develops.”
