Swag Battle

Swag Battle is the merging of daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports apparel sales.  It is a concept company that would match two multi-billion dollar industries that have vast customer overlap.   The concept matches daily fantasy players who want to win team apparel of their choice.  They battle it out in the fantasy sports world to determine a winner.  In existing DFS formats money changes hands, ending up in an account, and often being played and replayed until it is gone.  The players load up again and the cycle repeats.  I believe with the idea of a tangible asset being won and delivered with every win, we could gain a substantial share of the DFS market.  DFS players are naturally sports fans.  Sports fans love team apparel.  I see this as the future of apparel sales given the customer overlap of the two markets.

The main platform where this would take place is the app.  The app would require an account for each player.  When the player logs in they would choose their battleground (their fantasy sport of choice depending on the professional sports seasons).  Next they would build their roster of fantasy players using the “salary cap” method.  Now it would be time to “tag your swag.”  This would involve picking from sports apparel that could be won.  It could involve a redirection to an existing apparel website, or we could become our own apparel supplier.

As an aside, to get a business purchase contract with Nike and New Era (theoretically two important players in our available swag) you need to maintain at least one brick and mortar store.  If we were to be our own supplier, this would be an allocation of funds raised.  First year corporate rent, apparel purchases, and staff would all be maintained with initial investor funds.

Once the battle apparel is selected, players with identical products or apparel costs would be matched together.  Two invoices would be created but the sales would not be executed.  Once a winner is determined, the invoice for the winning player would be executed. It would use the winning player’s banking info and the winning player would pay shipping and taxes (This allows for an exchange of a product if the size was off.  It would need the winning player’s bank info so that a verification of purchase could happen.  A 100% discount would be applied to the cost of the apparel itself.  That way the players could not win the apparel and return it to the store for cash as the amount paid was $0).  The losing player would have an amount equal to the apparel won taken from their account and collected by SwagBattle who would either pay the vendor or offset the cost of our own self-purchased apparel in the event we are our own provider.  Additional revenue would be created by a “battle cost” that each player would pay upfront to start the battle.  The “battle cost” could not be won back.  It would be kept in its entirety by the company.  A possible battle cost structure could be 5% of the apparel cost, but with a minimum floor and a maximum ceiling.

Regular shipping methods and options would be used to get the apparel to the winner ASAP.  If we operated a brick and mortar store and we are our own suppliers, local winners could come to pick up their winnings instantly.  Obviously at this time opportunities to sell more apparel to players who just won and picked up their own apparel are evident.

I believe the thrill of victory and the feeling of getting something for “free” through competition would bring winning players back.  Losing players would either play again to break even, or purchase the apparel on their own.  They obviously wanted it in the first place. The idea of that free hat, t-shirt, sweatshirt, jersey, shoes, etc keeps players coming back again and again. 

I have many ideas that could make this accessible to players of all economic statuses as well as a wide array of apparel and products.  Variations of stakes could create interest in the slightly more risk averse.  Series play could make a player more willing to risk losing a higher priced item.  If they get 3-7 days of fantasy battles as opposed to a “one-and-done” format, they may be willing to wager higher priced items.

A bit about me.  I‘m a lifelong sports fan, a fantasy player, and a man who likes to represent his teams in the streets and in the stadium.   I have a degree in Business Management from The University of Iowa.  After 3 years of working in the corporate world I decided that I needed a change of pace.  I’ve been a firefighter in the Chicago area for over 10 years now.  While those two statements may seem nothing more than anecdotal, I believe it tells a larger story.  I’m no stranger to accomplishing goals.  I set out to get a high level education and I did.  I set out to create a more fulfilling life where I help others and I did.  This is my next chapter and through hard work, dedication, persistence, perseverance, and partnership with people who bring value and dedication to a winning equation I believe the sky is the limit.  

So far our corporate structure is me.  I am the guy with the idea.  I have a friend who I am working with that may be able to help on the legal side.  He also has people in his circle who have had success with startups.  He would be a part of my management team.  His specific role and capacity are undetermined though.  Investors with experience in related industries would be sought for their knowledge and connections as a means of building a team.   I believe the best business filing status would be a C-Corp.  This would preserve interests of early and sizable investors through the incorporation of preferred stock.  It could also create long term tax benefits.

I’m sure there are questions and things I’ve left out.  I would be excited to answer any questions about Swag Battle itself, or personal questions about me.  I believe in this idea and I believe in myself.  If you feel the same way, I’d welcome the chance to talk about any and all possibilities.  Thank you for your time.

An informational website has been set up at           swag-battle.com