President’s Blog
Attention rookies: A few fundamental points for beginning fantasy football writers

Aspiring fantasy football writers often ask me how they can latch on with major media sites such as ESPN, CBS and Sports Illustrated. My answer is usually the same: “Hold an editor at gunpoint until you get the assignment you want.”

In all seriousness, the industry’s high-profile sites do not accept many queries from unsolicited writers, and even the most accomplished fantasy football veteran scribes have trouble cracking those markets. Instead, when trying to grow a career in this business it is always best to work your way up the ladder piece by piece.

My career got started several years ago with an idea I pitched to Fantasy Sports magazine editor Greg Ambrosius. He liked my query, and accepted it on spec (no obligation to the publisher if the writer fails to deliver). That story led to several more assignments with Fantasy Sports, an in-season job with Lenny Pappano’s DraftSharks, and eventually print assignments with several other industry publications. The important point is that everything blossomed out of that one idea I was able to sell and deliver on.

Today, the industry is much more competitive than it was when I first began publishing fantasy articles. There are more opportunities, but also more writers fighting for a finite number of assignments.

The survivors are those able to produce fresh new ideas for print features and in-season columns. Surprisingly, some of the top publishers in the business admit that can be a rare occurrence.

Said Craig Davis, president of FantasyFootball.com, “Honestly, no one has approached me with a fresh fantasy topic.”

“We don’t get pitched many original ideas,” said Peter Schoenke, president of Rotowire. “The stuff that’s always impressive is if someone has done their own statistical study to validate a theory. That’s the best story to bring to the table.”

When it comes to finding a niche, Schoenke is right -- number crunching is always a good way for a writer to work their way into a new market. According to Davis, another area where new fantasy football writers can latch on is IDP (individual defensive player) analysis.

“I think there are numerous IDP leagues out there and many sites are looking for guys that can write IDP,” said Davis.

But, even armed with a good idea for a niche market, a writer’s work is far from over. Relationships are also a key to success in this business, and knowing who to approach and how to frame the query is just as important as the story idea itself.

The best approach? Avoid the chit-chat, said Greg Bebezas of The Fantasy Football Times.

“I’d rather get a short email with a link to an article and an attachment right off the bat than having to go back and forth with emails. That way, I know right away if the writer is a good fit,” he said.

And after allowing the editor or publisher some time to digest your query, be sure to send a brief follow-up email asking if you can provide additional detail about your story idea or writing experience. Your persistence will tell the editor or publisher you are serious about the assignment.

Of course, after winning an assignment, always deliver top-quality work on deadline.

“A lot of people get into the industry and think they can write a few articles here or there on the side and don’t take the time commitment seriously,” said Schoenke. “It’s our livelihood, so we’re only interested in people who take it seriously, even if it’s a small job or time commitment for them.

“In this business you just need to start someplace and show you're reliable, knowledgeable and a good writer. You can move up quickly if you do that from wherever you start,” Schoenke added.

It’s important that writers understand they share a goal with their editor – to offer the reader something well-written, fresh, and helpful.

Said Bebezas, “My vision of the industry has always been to elevate fantasy journalism so that it’s equal to other sports journalism. I think aspiring writers need to have that mentality if they’re going to crack the industry and stick, because if they do, there’s always going to be work for good, professional fantasy writers.”

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2008 Fantasy Football ILL
There are still a few spots open for the 2008 FSWA Industry Insiders League. There will be four 12-team conferences, with drafts beginning August 13. The leagues will be managed by RealTime Fantasy Sports, and the league champion will be presented with the annual ILL trophy. Anyone interested in joining should contact Mike Beacom at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Be sure to put ‘FSWA Industry Insiders League’ in the subject line.

>>>>> Industry News >>>>>

In early July, RotoExperts (rotoexperts.com) announced the hiring of 2006 FSWA football writer of the year Scott Engel, most recently of ESPN.com. Engel, who spent eight years at CBS Sportsline before moving to ESPN four years ago, joins RotoExperts growing staff.

“We are extremely happy to add a writer as talented as Scott to our content team” said RotoExperts founder Ben Ice. “I’ve been a fan of his for many years, all the way back to his days on CBS Sportsline. Scott brings a tremendous skill set and a deep understanding of this very dynamic industry, and he is a testament to our commitment to growing our business.”

“After many exciting years in the fantasy industry with some of the greatest companies in the business, I realized I had already been blessed enough to live out my dreams,” added Engel. “I was seeking an exciting new opportunity, one where I can be part of a dynamic and unique organization with a ton of future potential. RotoExperts.com was an obvious choice.”

Engel will be a daily contributor to site content and editorial, and will serve as Team Leader for Fantasy Football coverage.

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Jeff Boggis has announced the creation of Fantasy Football Empire (fantasyfootballempire.com). Boggis has operated its sister site, Fantasy Baseball Empire, for the past few years and is excited to add football to the mix. The site is featured in a number of expert leagues this season, and on several popular podcasts and radio stations.

Writers interested in submitting stories ideas can contact Boggis at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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Writers looking to expand their readership may want to check out Latin Fantasy Football (latinff.com). Site owner Omar Medina has built a site that appeals to fantasy players in Latin countries. Email Medina at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it about writing opportunities.

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Big Dawg Baseball is looking for writers to contribute weekly articles to finish off the 2008 season as well as for the 2009 season. If interested, please send a resume and an example of your work to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

As usual, if you have any suggestions, comments or complaints, send them my way.

Mike Beacom
President & Chairman
Fantasy Sports Writers Association
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it