3 ms·
I cofounded a daily fantasy sports site in 2004, so it's funny to see FanDuel's 2009 launch date described as "early to market". But the environment for fantasy
by mhartl 11y ago
I cofounded a daily fantasy sports site in 2004, so it's funny to see FanDuel's 2009 launch date described as "early to market". But the environment for fantasy sports in 2004–2005 was incredibly different, with the major leagues often showing overt hostility (including the NFL Players Association suing a company for using the players' names without permission). It's yet another example of how big a factor timing can be in the startup game.
- pcprincipal 11y agoWe all would've been robbed of the best RoR book of all time had your timing been right...
- mhartl 11y agoThanks! I suppose I could have consoled myself with the millions and millions of dollars, but then maybe that just wouldn't have been the same…
- pbreit 11y agoIs the main difference mobile? Other than that, it just seems like aggressive players.
- mhartl 11y agoNot sure how big mobile is, but one huge difference is that the major sports leagues have embraced fantasy sports instead of suing the providers.
- utnick 11y agoYcombinator funded one back in 07 too: http://techcrunch.com/2007/11/05/draftmix-faster-fantasy-sports-for-fun-or-profit/ http://techcrunch.com/2007/11/05/draftmix-faster-fantasy-spo...
- mhartl 11y agoYup, I met Matt Maroon back in '08 when going through YC myself.