The Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) is an organization that represents journalists in the United States who cover fantasy sports.[1] It was founded in 2004.[1] According to its website, the organization's mission is to "be a voice for writers in the arena of fantasy sports. Moreover, the organization, through its executive staff and board of directors, will strive to promote and acknowledge the hard work and dedication shown by fantasy sports writers throughout the industry." Andy Behrens serves as the President of the FSWA. The website can be found at www.FSWA.org.
History
The association was founded in 2004. Ryan Houston was the first president, succeeded by Kirk Bouyelas in 2006, Mike Beacom in 2008, and Andy Behrens in 2014.[2] Near the end of each calendar year, nominations are made through a blind process. A group of judges with teaching backgrounds and a familiarity with fantasy sports narrows down the submissions to a group of typically 3-5 finalists. A second group of judges then chooses the best submission in each category. The finalist is typically announced in January, with winners announced about a month later. In order to garner more of an audience for the industry awards, the last few have been broadcast live on Sirius XM radio's Fantasy Sports channel.
Writing Awards
The Fantasy Sports Writers Association has been providing awards since 2004 to honor the industry's best writers.[1] The awards are typically presented each January at a meeting of the organization in Las Vegas. Many of the winners come from sites and publications dedicated to fantasy sports, while others come from general-purpose sports publications.
Past winners
2017 Award Winners
Football Awards
Baseball Awards
Other Awards
Writer of the Year - Gary Davenport, Fantasy Sharks
Writer of the Year - Todd Zola, Mastersball
Humor Article of the Year - Sammie Reid, Rotogrinders
Best Article on the Web - Jeff Ratcliffe, Pro Football Focus
Best Article on the Net - Jim Sannes, numberFire
Racing Writer of the Year - Mark Taylor, Rotowire
Best Article in Print - Jamey Eisenberg, CBS
Best Article in Print - Tim McCullough, FantasyPros
Golf Writer of the Year - Adam Daly-Frey, Fantasy Golf Insider
Best On-Going Series - Tyler Loechner, Pro Football Focus
Best On-Going Series - Scott Engel, RotoExperts
Basketball Writer of the Year - Benny Ricciardi, GuruElite
Best Publication - Football Diehards
Best Publication - RotoWire
College Writer of the Year - Brad Evans, Yahoo
Podcast of the Year - The Fantasy Footballers
Podcast of the Year - USA Today
Podcast of the Year (All Sports) - Rotowire
Hockey Writer of the Year - Doug Shain, Bankster DFS
Soccer Writer of the Year - Andrew Laird, RotoWire
Newcomer of the Year - James McCool, DraftKings
Video of the Year - Yahoo Fantasy Football Live
Radio Show of the Year - Pro Football Focus - Jeff Ratcliffe
2016 Award Winners
Football Awards
Baseball Awards
Other Awards
Writer of the Year - Jeff Zimmerman, Rotowire
Writer of the Year - Ray Murphy, Baseball HQ
Humor Article of the Year - Chris Mitchell, RotoExperts
Best Article on the Net - Drew Loftis, New York Post
Best Article on the Net - Michael Rathburn, Rotowire
Racing Writer of the Year - Mark Taylor, Rotowire
Best Article in Print - Jeff Zimmerman, Rotowire
Best Article in Print - Rob Leibowitz, RotoHeaven
Golf Writer of the Year - Michael Riek, Rotowire
Best Series - Brandon Murchison, RotoExperts
Best Series - Ray Flowers, Fantasy Alarm
Basketball Writer of the Year - Ryan Knaus, Rotoworld
Best Publication - Football Diehards
Best Publication - Rotoworld
College Writer of the Year - John McKechnie, Rotowire
Podcast of the Year - Draft Sharks
Podcast of the Year - USA Today
Podcast of the Year (All Sports) - Rotowire
Hockey Writer of the Year - James Capone, Scout
Newcomer of the Year - Juan Carlos Blanco, Rotowire
Video of the Year - Yahoo Fantasy Football Live
Radio Show of the Year - Pro Football Focus - Jeff Ratcliffe
2015 Award Winners
Football Awards
Baseball Awards
Other Awards
Writer of the Year - Brad Evans, Yahoo
Writer of the Year - Mike Podhorzer, Fangraphs
Humor Article of the Year - Chris Liss, Rotowire
Best Article on the Net - JJ Zachariason, Numberfire
Best Article on the Net - Ryan Bloomfield, Baseball HQ
Racing Writer of the Year - CJ Radune, Rotowire
Best Article in Print - Gary Davenport, Fantasy Sharks
Best Article in Print - Dave Regan, Rotowire
Golf Writer of the Year - Jeff Bergerson, Fantasy Golf Insider
Best Series - Robert McMann, RotoExperts
Best Series - Logan Hitchcock, Daily Roto
Basketball Writer of the Year - Ryan Knaus, Rotoworld
Best Publication - USA Today Sports: Fantasy Football
Best Publication - Ron Shandler's Baseball Forecaster
College Writer of the Year - Christopher Feery, Footballguys
Hockey Writer of the Year - Andrew Fiorentino, Rotowire
Newcomer of the Year - Alex Chamberlain, Fangraphs
Video of the Year - Pat Mayo, FNTSY
Podcast of the Year - Christopher Harris, HarrisFootball
Radio Show of the Year - Jeff Mans and Tommy G on SiriusXM
2014 Award Winners
Football Awards
Baseball Awards
Other Awards
Writer of the Year - Steve Schwarz, The Sports Network
Writer of the Year - Michael Rathburn, Rotowire
Humor Article of the Year - Ken Crites, Rotowire
Best Article on the Net - Walter Collazo, Fantasy Sharks
Best Article on the Net - Benny Ricciardi, DFS Report
Racing Writer of the Year - Eric McClung, FF Toolbox
Best Article in Print - Matt Lutovsky, Sporting News
Best Article in Print - Steve Gardner, USA Today
Golf Writer of the Year - Gibb Pollard, RotoGrinders
Best Series - Evan Silva, Rotoworld
Best Series - Jeff Zimmerman, FanGraphs
Basketball Writer of the Year - Aaron Bruski, Rotoworld
Best Publication - USA Today Sports: Fantasy Football 2014
Best Publication - USA Today Sports: Fantasy Baseball 2014
College Writer of the Year - Brad Evans, Yahoo!
Hockey Writer of the Year - Jesse Pantuosco, The Sports Network
Newcomer of the Year - Dan Ciarrocchi, SB Nation
Video of the Year - Yahoo Fantasy Football Live
Podcast of the Year - Dan Back, RotoGrinders Daily Fantasy Fix
Radio Show of the Year - RotoExperts on SiriusXM
2013 Award Winners
Football Awards
Baseball Awards
Other Awards
Writer of the Year - Dave Richard, CBS
Writer of the Year - Jason Collette, Rotowire
Humor Article of the Year - Thomas McFeeley, RotoExperts
Best Article on the Net - Mike Clay, Pro Football Focus
Best Article on the Net - Todd Zola, ESPN
Racing Writer of the Year - Daniel Dobish, RotoExperts
Best Article in Print - Alessandro Miglio, Pro Football Focus
Best Article in Print - David Martin, Baseball HQ
Golf Writer of the Year - Greg Vara, Rotowire
Best Series - Salvatore Stefanile, XN Sports
Best Series - Erik Siegrist, Rotowire
Basketball Writer of the Year - Jesse Pantuosco, The Sports Network
Best Publication - Fantasy Football ProForecast
Best Publication - Rotoworld
College Writer of the Year - Brad Evans, Yahoo!
Hockey Writer of the Year - Jesse Pantuosco, The Sports Network
Newcomer of the Year - Pat Thorman, Pro Football Focus
Video of the Year - CBS, Fantasy Baseball Today, Adam Aizer, Scott White, Nando Di Fino and Al Melchior
Podcast of the Year - Patrick Davitt, Baseball HQ Radio
Radio Show of the Year - Rotowire Fantasy Sports Today, Jeff Erickson, Chris Liss, Derek VanRiper, Andrew Martinez and Jason Thornbury
Writer of the Year - Jay Clemons, Sports Illustrated
Writer of the Year - Jeff Erickson, RotoWire
Humor Article of the Year - Jeremy Fisher, Fantasy Football Trader
Best Article on the Net - Chris Liss, RotoWire
Best Article on the Net - Eno Sarris, Baseball Guys
Racing Writer of the Year - Mark Taylor, RotoWire
Best Article in Print - Dan Grogan, Athlon
Best Article in Print - Andy Behrens, Yahoo
Golf Writer of the Year - John McNamara, RotoWire
Best Major Media Article - Dave Richard, CBS Sports
Best Major Media Article - Matt Lutovsky, Sporting News
Hockey Writer of the Year - Sean Allen, ESPN
Best Series - George Winkler, Sporting News
Best Series - Scott White, CBS Sports
Basketball Writer of the Year - Sergio Gonzalez, CBS Sports
Best Publication - Rotoworld
Best Publication - RotoWire
College Writer of the Year - Adam Mankuta, RotoWire
2007 Award Winners
Football Awards
Baseball Awards
Other Awards
Writer of the Year - Gregg Rosenthal
Writer of the Year - Jeff Erickson
Humor Article of the Year - John Paulson
Best Article on the Net - Jason Powell
Best Article on the Net - Peter Becker
Racing Writer of the Year - Christopher Harris
Best Article in Print - Joe Levit
Best Article in Print - Will Carroll
Golf Writer of the Year - Ross Devonport
Best Major Media Article - Vinny Iyer
Best Major Media Article - Christopher Harris
Hockey Writer of the Year - Janet Eagleson
Best Series - John Rakowski
Best Series - Eric Karabell
Basketball Writer of the Year - Andre' Snellings
Best Publication - RotoWire
Best Publication - RotoWire
2006 Award Winners
Football Awards
Baseball Awards
Other Awards
Writer of the Year - Scott Engel
Writer of the Year - Brendan Roberts
Racing Writer of the Year - Christopher Harris
Best Article on the Net - Matthew Berry
Best Article on the Net - Peter Schoenke
Golf Writer of the Year - Scott Coombs
Best Article in Print - Kirk Bouyelas
Best Article in Print - William Carroll
Hockey Writer of the Year - Janet Eagleson
Most Humorous Article - Garett Matheny
Most Humorous Article - Matthew Berry
Basketball Writer of the Year - Matthew Berry
Best Major Media Article - Christopher Harris
Best Major Media Article - Matthew Berry
Best Series - John Georgopoulos
Best Series - Brendan Roberts
2005 Award Winners
Football Awards
Baseball Awards
Other Awards
Writer of the Year - Eric Karabell
Writer of the Year - Trace Wood
Racing Writer of the Year - Christopher Harris
Best Article on the Net - Lenny Pappano
Best Article on the Net - Brian McKitish
Golf Writer of the Year - Greg Vara
Best Article in Print - Micheal Fabiano
Best Article in Print - William Carroll
Most Humorous Article - John Nemo
Most Humorous Article - Matthew Berry
Best Major Media Article - Ken Daube
Best Magazine Advertising Campaign - RotoWire
Best Series - Michael Fabiano
2004 Award Winners
Football Awards
Writer of the Year - Bob Harris
Best Article on the Net - Tristan Cockcroft
Best Article in Print - Sam Caplan
Most Humorous Article - JK Rupprecht
Best Major Media Article - Matt Watson
Best Series - Greg Kellogg
Several members of the industry have been nominated for and won multiple awards. The leaders - by individual and media outlet - are listed below:
All-Time Most Wins - Individual
Wins
Writer(s)
9
Brad Evans
6
Christopher Harris, David Regan
5
Matthew Berry, Mark Taylor
4
Daniel Dobish, Janet Eagleson, Matt Lutovsky, Chris Liss
3
Will Carroll, Brian McKitish, Ladd Biro, Jesse Pantuosco, Derek VanRiper, Jeff Erickson, Jeff Zimmerman, Jeff Ratcliffe
All-Time Most Wins - Media Outlet
Wins
Outlet(s)
61
Rotowire
16
RotoExperts
14
ESPN, Yahoo
12
Sporting News
11
Rotoworld
10
CBS
9
ProFootballFocus
8
TalentedMrRoto, USA Today
5
Baseball HQ
All-Time Most Nominations - Individual
Nominations
Writer(s)
15
Brad Evans
14
David Regan
13
Chris Liss, Chris Harris
11
Tristan Cockcroft, Patrick Mayo
9
Matthew Berry, Andy Behrens, John Georgopoulos, Ladd Biro, Daniel Dobish, Scott Engel
8
Heather Cocks, Matt Lutovsky, Jeff Erickson, Mark Taylor
7
Janet Eagleson, Alessandro Miglio, Jeff Zimmerman, Jeff Ratcliffe, Derek Van Riper, Scott Pianowski
6
Ray Flowers, Scott White, Greg Vara, Mike Rathburn, JJ Zachariason
All-Time Most Nominations - Media Outlet
Nominations
Outlet(s)
190
Rotowire
70
RotoExperts
42
ESPN
38
TalentedMrRoto, Sporting News
36
Yahoo Sports
29
CBS
24
Rotoworld
23
Pro Football Focus
21
RotoGrinders
15
Sports Grumblings
14
Football Diehards
11
Baseball HQ, USA Today
9
KFFL, Fangraphs, numberFire
8
Sports Illustrated, Fanball
Hall of Fame
In 2010, the FSWA established a Hall of Fame to honor fantasy sports writers, publishers, and editors "who possess a distinguished body of work and/or those who have helped to advance the careers of others in the fantasy sports industry."[6]
The classes of writers inducted into the Hall of Fame are below.
^"2012 FSWA Writing Awards". Fantasy Sports Writers Association. Retrieved February 7, 2013. Affiliations are seen at "2012 FSWA Writing Awards Finalists". Fantasy Sports Writers Association. Retrieved February 9, 2013.
^Ota, Kevin (15 November 2017). "ESPN Fantasy hires award-winning writer and neural engineer André Snellings". ESPN. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
^Schauf, Matt (January 28, 2009). "CBS, Sporting News Take Multiple FSWA Trophies". Fantasy Sports Business. World Sports Technology Inc. Archived from the original on 2009-03-03. Retrieved 2009-06-02.
^"FSWA Hall of Fame". Fantasy Sports Writers Association. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
