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photography by Ian travIs barnard Fantasy Man Why it's good to be Jason Robins, the king of one of the country's fastest-groWing fantasy sports start-ups, draftkings. by robert cocuzzo Jason Robins is turning fantasy sports teams into real dollars for his investors and customers. Warning: CEOs, avert your eyes. According to a recent study, US companies lose an estimated $13.4 billion on fantasy football every year. No, it's not that these firms are crummy at picking their rosters on draft day. Rather, the study found that millions of Americans spend at least two hours a week checking stats, making trades, and managing their fantasy teams—all on company time. So where's that $13.4 billion worth of distraction going? Meet Jason Robins. "I can't think of a time when I was able to use a computer that I wasn't playing fantasy," Robins tells me over drinks at Scholars American Bistro & Cocktail Lounge in downtown Boston. The 34 -year-old is CEO of DraftKings, one of the fastest-growing fantasy sports start-ups in the country. With $74.8 million in backing and more than a million registered users and counting, DraftKings has sacked competitors, buying out both DraftStreet and StarStreet in the span of two months last summer. Now, in true Red Sox/ Yankees fashion, this Boston-based company is battling for the top spot in the nation against a New York City rival known as FanDuel. Robins is fast-talking and easy to like. He sits with one arm slung casually over the back of his chair, exuding a confidence that's equal parts Poindexter and Don Draper. "Sports are ever- green," he says. "The content is constantly new, 52 bostoncommon-magazine.com PEOPLE View from the Top