Greg started the first Fantasy NASCAR league without the internet. The idea came to him when his father-in-law suggested doing something similar to fantasy leagues for NASCAR. Greg launched the league in 1993 and initially operated through mail and phone calls. The league grew rapidly, with over 15,000 people playing by the time Greg sold the business in 1998. The success was attributed to the rising popularity of NASCAR and the timing of the launch. Greg also expanded to other sports, such as college football, NCAA basketball, golf, and surfing. The key takeaways are: 1) Believe in your idea and have faith in its success. 2) Determine the financial viability of your venture. 3) Surround yourself with a dedicated team. Greg Liegey shares his experience running a fantasy NASCAR company and the challenges he faced with legal issues and competition. He discusses the recognition he received from NASCAR and the legalities of fantasy sports at the time. He also talks about the acquisition of his company by Action Performance Racing and the subsequent sale to a private equity company. Greg reflects on the differences between running his own business and working for someone else, as well as the lessons he learned from his ventures in the ice cream franchise industry. He concludes by discussing his favorite sports teams and the enjoyment of fantasy leagues in enhancing the fan experience.

Chapters

00:00 The Birth of the First Fantasy NASCAR League

02:07 The Stock Market Approach to Fantasy NASCAR

04:48 The Rapid Growth of the Fantasy NASCAR League

12:27 The Success and Expansion of the League

23:01 Keys to Success: Belief, Financial Planning, and Faith

27:30 The Legal Battle: Acquiring the Web Address and Facing NASCAR

31:17 Support from the NASCAR Community and the Success of Fantasy NASCAR

32:01 The Sale of the Company and Disagreements with New Owners

41:04 The Impact of Fantasy Sports on the Enjoyment of the Sport

48:25 Lessons Learned from an Unsuccessful Ice Cream Franchise