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EHS Faculty Visits Yahoo! Studios to Study the Business of Fantasy Sport

Set of Fantasy Football Live  (From left to right): Brandon Velaski (producer), Nicole Zaloumis (host), Andy Behrens (analyst), Brody Ruihley, Brad Evans (analyst), and Tank Williams (analyst)
Set of Fantasy Football Live (From left to right): Brandon Velaski (producer), Nicole Zaloumis (host), Andy Behrens (analyst), Brody Ruihley, Brad Evans (analyst), and Tank Williams (analyst)

James M. Loy, Miami University

Fantasy sport is now a multibillion dollar industry. So for Brody Ruihley, Miami University assistant professor of sport leadership and management (SLAM), it’s also become an area of intense academic study.

After producing nearly 60 journal articles, book chapters, and conference presentations, and co-authoring the industry’s first academic text, Ruihley was recently awarded a grant from the John E. and Winifred E. Dolibois Faculty Development Fund.

The Dolibois Faculty Development Fund allows recipients to explore a business-related project. It’s typically awarded to faculty who encourage students to develop a broader understanding of business, especially by emphasizing an interdisciplinary approach to free enterprise.

Yahoo! Studio signEarlier this month, Ruihley used part of the grant to visit Yahoo! Studios in Sunnyvale, California, where he learned first-hand about professional fantasy sport programing during a production of Fantasy Football Live

Fantasy Football Live regularly live-streams a popular 90-minute show to viewers across numerous social media platforms. And while on-site, Ruihley interviewed leading industry experts, interacted with hosts and analysts, and observed the in-studio processes of numerous show elements.fantasy football live on air

“Part of the purpose of the grant was to enhance teaching,” Ruihley said. “I went and did an overview observation to better serve my students in the SLAM course: The Business of Fantasy Sport.”

He will also use the knowledge and information gained to enhance his strategic sport management and sport marketing courses. Additionally, Ruihley plans to explore a number of new on-campus speaking engagements and potential internship opportunities for students as well.