June 3, 2008 10:39AM

A ‘Fantasy’ Win

By Alexis Glick

Are you a fantasy sports fan? Play fantasy football? Fantasy baseball? Yesterday the Supreme Court rejected an appeal from Major League Baseball and its players association to overturn a ruling that gives for-profit fantasy leagues on the Web a free-speech right to use the names of real players without paying a licensing fee. It’s a big deal for everyone involved and puts to rest a three year fight.

Who wins? Who loses? Why should you care? Take a look below. This morning I interviewed Doug Perlman, president of Accrue Advisors and former president of IMG where he oversaw all aspects of digital media and Charlie Wiegert, the CDM Fantasy Sports EVP & co-founder, the company in the MLB lawsuit.

Here’s a clue…..18-20 million people play fantasy sports in the U.S. and Canada. This is a $1.5 billion industry that is expected to grow to $2 billion especially given this news which will increase competition and participation.