Atlanta-based PrizePicks, the popular daily fantasy sports operator, has a new CEO.
Adam Wexler, the multi-time tech founder who started PrizePicks, is handing the reins over to Mike Ybarra. The leadership change is effective immediately, according to a pres release Monday.
Ybarra brings decades of experience in the gaming industry and as a leader at public companies. Bringing him on as the top executive could prove pivotal for the fast-growing company that started in 2017 and has been rapidly expanding over the last few years. He was at Microsoft for 19 years, serving as the tech giant’s Corporate Vice President for Xbox Live and Xbox Game Pass until 2019. He most recently was President at Blizzard Entertainment, a California-based video game developer and publisher.
Ybarra will be based out of PrizePicks’ Atlanta headquarters, VP of Strategic Communications Elisa Richardson confirmed to Hypepotamus.
Wexler will stay on as the company’s Executive Chairman.
“I am unbelievably proud of what we have built at PrizePicks. Through our culture of constant innovation and having a player-first mindset, PrizePicks has achieved explosive growth,” Wexler said in a statement. “Attracting someone with Mike’s background is a true testament to our legitimacy and success to date, and it is a great honor to partner with him. Mike’s track record of introducing fan favorite games, driving development initiatives and scaling large customer bases will propel us to new heights.”
PrizePicks Through The Years
PrizePicks started at Atlanta Tech Village but has grown significantly in terms of headcount, partnerships, and physical office space. Its platform is now available for fantasy sports fans in 33 states, Washington DC, and Canada. It has inked partnerships with several professional sports teams and leagues, including becoming the Atlanta Braves’ official daily fantasy sports partner for the 2024 season.
Last year the team announced it was opening a new 33,000 square foot office in West Midtown.
In a sign that the company is bullish on the fantasy sports world, PrizePicks also announced earlier this year that it aims to bring on 1,000 new employees over the next seven years.
The team is still aiming to move employees into the building in January of 2025 after the build-out is complete, according to Richardson.
Previous Hypepotamus coverage of PrizePicks and Adam Wexler:
Insightpool Founder Adam Wexler Is Back to Make Fantasy Sports Easier, Faster and More Profitable Than Ever (October 2018)
This Guy Will Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is (July 2015)
SidePrize CEO on Saving a Startup from the Ashes (October 2015)
