FantasySpin and FastDraft Merge to Reach 330M Users
FantasySpin and FastDraft announced a corporate merger on May 4, 2026, creating a combined fantasy sports business spanning Daily Fantasy Sports and Best Ball. FantasySpin contests will become available across 38 US states and Canada, covering an estimated 330 million people.
Merger gives both brands broader sports coverage
The companies booked more than $1 million in contest entries during their first year. FantasySpin currently offers real-money DFS in 24 states plus Washington D.C., while FastDraft has built its product around Best Ball drafts that complete in under five minutes.
Matt Kelley, FastDraft’s founder and incoming president of the merged company, said the structure brings daily and season-long formats under a single product for the first time.
FantasySpin’s DFS product uses a slots-style team-building mechanic, while FastDraft focuses on short Best Ball contests with limited roster management. The merger combines daily contests, season-long formats, shared promotions, and a unified wallet across both brands.
Steve “Dakota” Happas, CEO of FantasySpin, said “DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, Underdog, and Betr are all competing for the same users, many of whom already have accounts across every platform, and the rise of prediction markets (Kalshi, Robinhood) has only accelerated that disruption and pressure on traditional operators.”
FantasySpin said the deal extends its contest reach to 86% of the US population. The company plans to add FastDraft’s NFL-focused formats to NBA, PGA, MLB, NHL, and other major sports. No deal value or closing timeline was disclosed.
💡 TGJ Take
This is a defensive growth move as much as a product merger. FantasySpin gets a wider distribution base, while FastDraft gets more sports and daily contest inventory without building it alone. For affiliates, the useful part is the shared-wallet plan: one account across DFS and Best Ball should make cross-selling easier if the integration works. Smaller fantasy brands will face the same choice in 2026: own a narrow niche, or combine before acquisition costs get worse.
