UFCJC Adjunct instructor’s course on fantasy sports betting and the media featured in Forbes magazine
David Bearman, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) alumnus and Journalism adjunct instructor, is featured in “Bucking the Odds: David Bearman’s Bold Bets Keep Elevating the Industry” published in forbes.com on Aug. 14.
Bearman, a three-decade industry veteran, was instrumental in ESPN’s groundbreaking entry into sports betting coverage, secured its first sportsbook partnership and introduced live in-game odds on broadcasts. His career, marked by bold moves, now inspires a new UFCJC class he built from scratch.
“Fantasy Sports, Betting & The Media” debuted during the spring 2026 semester. The course explored the dynamic intersection of sports entertainment, data analytics and digital media through the lens of fantasy sports and sports betting.
The course aimed to equip students with skills for diverse roles in the rapidly expanding fantasy and sports betting industries, from risk management to content creation, reflecting Bearman’s philosophy of betting on oneself for success.
According to the article, “Delving into a robust ‘virtual Rolodex,’ Bearman secured fantasy sports legend Matthew Berry and former ESPN colleague/renowned betting analyst Chris ‘The Bear’ Fallica as guest speakers, allowing course participants to get invaluable first-hand input from a pair of accomplished industry figures.”
Now, the new fall 2026 semester course, “Fantasy and Sports Betting Careers,” takes the next step in incorporating the sports betting industry into the academic arena. The idea for the class stemmed from discussions with students last spring, when Bearman realized there was a dearth of information regarding fantasy sports and sports betting-centric occupations including VP of Risk Management at a sportsbook, sports betting analyst and fantasy games developer.
According to Berman, this unique offering addresses a growing demand for specialized talent in this dynamic sector. His advice to his students, “bet boldly, reap the rewards.”
Category: College News
Tagged: David Bearman
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