PrizePicks Appoints New CFO from Blizzard Entertainment

PrizePicks CEO Mike Yabarra noted that he knows Sandford well, having worked with him at Blizzard Entertainment for six years, watching him help grow a multi-billion dollar business in the games industry. Yabarra is a Blizzard veteran himself, which puts him in a good position to realize his new CFO’s potential.

While Sandford will not be directly responsible for product launches, his 20+ years of experience in strategic planning, financial management and operations make him an excellent candidate to anticipate the company’s needs and ensure cash flow stability.

Sandford was enthusiastic about his new appointment and praised the PrizePicks model, stressing that “the company’s unwavering commitment to innovation and focus on delivering the best and most unique products to players creates the perfect environment for PrizePicks to grow at an accelerated pace.”

As for Koteles, his move to the new role is aimed at helping PrizePicks maintain its status as an innovator in the daily fantasy sports space, a competitive area that is increasingly attracting regulatory scrutiny.

Daily fantasy sports platforms have already faced challenges in both Florida and California, where companies in the sector have called on authorities not to shut down the space without good reason. At the same time, regulators and lawmakers are demanding more clarity on some aspects of the gambling industry, including lotteries, which are increasingly becoming a source of suspicion. For example, Papaya Gaming was accused of running illegal gambling in Michigan, and VGW was forced to leave Connecticut.

The appointment of Sandford as CFO could therefore be an important step in strengthening PrizePicks' position in the fantasy sports market, given the current challenges and competition in this area.