Fantasy Football OG Bob Harris on The Big Questions with Big John

Join Big John on Big Questions with Big John as he chats with fantasy football legend Bob Harris, a Fantasy Sports Writers Association Hall of Famer. Bob shares his journey from 1986 fantasy leagues to pioneering fantasy sports journalism, reflecting on the industry’s evolution, early tech struggles, and key figures like Emil Kadlec. They discuss the impact of the internet, commissioner software, and data analytics on fantasy football. Bob offers draft strategies for 2025, emphasizing diversification and mock drafts. The episode wraps with fun “Silly Questions,” revealing Bob’s love for YouTube drum videos and his reasonable approach to fantasy. Perfect for fantasy football fans and aspiring sports journalists!

Chapters:
00:00 Intro to Big Questions with Big John
01:12 Bob Harris Introduction and Career Overview
02:33 Bob’s Start in Fantasy Sports Journalism
04:35 Early Days of Fantasy Football and Newsletters
06:45 The Internet’s Impact on Fantasy Sports
09:41 Web Design and Industry Growth
11:59 Technology and Early Web Recognition
14:35 Struggles for Legitimacy in Journalism
16:57 Bob’s Self-Taught Journalism Approach
19:35 Finding Your Voice in Fantasy Journalism
24:26 Remembering Emil Kadlec’s Impact
30:34 Innovations with Emil Kadlec
35:32 Emil’s Personality and Industry Influence
36:45 Technology’s Role in Fantasy Sports
39:59 Collaboration and Sharing in the Industry
43:12 Advanced Analytics and Data Collection
45:15 Early Webcasts and Content Creation
48:23 Advice for Aspiring Fantasy Journalists
52:26 Fantasy Football Draft Tips for 2025
56:25 Silly Questions Segment