PrizePicks exec moves to Underdog as new VP of government affairs and partnerships
Operator secures the services of John Pauley following 18 months with fellow DFS firm PrizePicks
Underdog Fantasy has named former PrizePicks head John Pauley as the company’s new VP of government affairs and partnerships.
Pauley will move over to fellow DFS firm Underdog having spent the past 18 months as PrizePicks’ VP of government affairs.
Prior to joining PrizePicks, Pauley served as Sportradar’s government affairs manager from March 2018 until January 2023.
His spell in New York with the supplier giant marked his first foray into the industry at a larger scale, having worked with the Small Businesses of Fantasy Sports Trade Association earlier in his career.
Taking to LinkedIn to confirm his new position, Pauley wrote: “The Underdog brand has become synonymous with modern day fantasy sports and the new generation of fans.
“That’s why I’m incredibly excited to share that my next professional chapter will be with the Underdog Fantasy community as VP of government affairs and partnerships.
“I’m forever grateful for the opportunity I had to work with the PrizePicks team, including the visionaries behind their products [co-founder] Jay Deuskar and [SVP of revenue] Dylan Cooper. And I have no doubt that PrizePicks is in great hands with its government affairs leaders.”
Pauley continued by shedding light on some of the reasons behind his move to Underdog, as well as outlining what he hopes to achieve as the group’s VP of government affairs and partnerships.
“Finally, joining Underdog allows me to continue working with the Coalition for Fantasy Sports,” he shared.
“The US gaming industry is rapidly evolving and has a long list of policy initiatives that must be addressed. Paving the way for increasing competition, growth, and responsible gaming in the DFS sector is more important than ever. Let’s get to work.”
Pauley’s arrival at Underdog comes a week after ex-DraftKings head of VIP acquisition Dillon Borgida was appointed as the group’s VP of VIP.
Borgida also has plenty of experience within the industry having spent four years at FanDuel from 2014 to 2018, arriving in the company’s customer support team before being promoted to VIP account manager.
One year as William Hill’s head of digital VIP soon followed before leaving in September 2019 to join DraftKings, initially as VIP new business executive. He left the Boston-based operator in June 2023.
Alongside his duties at Underdog, Borgida will continue to oversee operations at his consultancy firm betonu, which he founded in September 2023.
Arnold Ash is EGR’s Executive Recruitment Partner. They support ambitious organisations to identify and attract industry leading executive talent. Find out more here.