Partnership with Almost Friday Media brings weekly athlete interviews, sportsbook integration, and Fanatics Fest spotlight
Fanatics Sportsbook is ramping up its content and engagement strategy with the return of Glory Daze, the athlete-driven podcast hosted by former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel. Teaming once again with digital media group Almost Friday Media, the second season is set to launch on 12 June 2025, bringing with it a deeper integration into the Fanatics Sportsbook ecosystem — and a fresh layer of nostalgia-fueled sports entertainment.
Going Deeper on “Glory Days”
Glory Daze features weekly interviews with high-profile athletes, offering candid reflections on key moments in their careers. The podcast, which streams on major platforms and Manziel’s YouTube channel, aims to highlight both the triumphs and the turning points that defined professional lives — often with unfiltered honesty.
Kicking off the new season is Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby, with a full lineup of guests expected to be rolled out in the coming weeks. But this season adds more than just stories.
As part of the partnership, Manziel will step into the role of “Johnny FanCash”, making weekly sportsbook picks and engaging in Fanatics-branded promotions, giveaways, and fan challenges. These segments will be available both on the podcast and through the Fanatics Sportsbook app, which has expanded to 20 US states, including its New Jersey debut in May 2024.
Fanatics: More Than Just a Sportsbook
Fanatics Sportsbook has been on an aggressive growth path, following its 2024 acquisition and rebranding of PointsBet’s US operations. Users now benefit from unified accounts, cross-state wallets, integrated rewards, and robust responsible gambling features — all of which are designed to make content-driven campaigns like Glory Daze more accessible and impactful.
Through this collaboration with Almost Friday Media, Fanatics is leaning into a content-first approach that connects with fans through nostalgia, humor, and storytelling — all while driving app engagement.
Spotlight at Fanatics Fest NYC
A special live episode of Glory Daze will be recorded at Fanatics Fest NYC, a highly anticipated three-day event taking place 20–22 June at the Javits Center. The festival will merge sports memorabilia, athlete appearances, live shows, and interactive fan experiences, underscoring Fanatics’ ambition to become a lifestyle brand as much as a sportsbook operator.
Manziel noted:
“This season is all about going deeper into those stories and connecting with the fans who remember these glory days just as vividly as we do. It’s about celebrating the moments that shaped the sports we love.”
With content, community, and commerce tightly woven together, Fanatics Sportsbook is proving it’s not just in the business of betting — it’s in the business of building fandom.
