CEO
PrizePicks
Mike Ybarra is an experienced corporate executive – and the recently appointed CEO of PrizePicks, a North American daily fantasy sports (DFS) operator. Ybarra stepped into the position following the transition of Founder and former CEO Adam Wexler to Executive Chairman. Ybarra has served as CEO since August 2024.
Mike Ybarra became CEO of US daily fantasy sports operator PrizePicks in August 2024. Prior to that, he served as President of Blizzard Entertainment between August 2021 and May 2024.
Mike spent just under two decades at Microsoft, holding Corporate VP leadership positions for the Xbox and Windows divisions during this period. Under his leadership, Live subscriptions would reach 40 million users, the Kinect and Xbox would be shipped, and many generation-defining games would be developed.
Mike Ybarra began his career at Hewlett-Packard, where he worked as a Software Development Engineer from 1997 to 1999.
Following this, Ybarra spent just under two decades at Microsoft, serving as a Corporate VP in the Xbox and Windows divisions. During this period, he served as the General Manager of Windows 7, which is still widely regarded as one of the best operating systems ever developed. After this, Ybarra became the General Manager of Xbox Live from 2009 to 2011.
Next, Ybarra moved on to his role as Executive VP & GM, Platform and Technology at Blizzard Entertainment. The organization develops several well-known video games, including Diablo, Overwatch, StarCraft, and World of Warcraft. In August 2021, Ybarra was promoted to company President.
However, during his time at Blizzard, the company was involved in several high-profile lawsuits over the treatment of women. Ybarra explains that between the culture and the negative press, this was the “hardest six-month period” in his career.
After leaving Blizzard in May 2024, Ybarra was quickly snapped up by PrizePicks and appointed its new CEO.
Regarding this move, Ybarra said:
PrizePicks is the most exciting company in sports entertainment today, and it’s an honour to join as CEO. I have tremendous respect for the foundation that Adam has built and look forward to working with him and the team.
Mike Ybarra
In recent years, PrizePicks has expanded its presence in North America and is now operational in 35 regional markets across the continent. Under Ybarra’s leadership, the company will seek to further establish its standing in North America.
PrizePicks recently gained approval for an operating license in the state of New Hampshire.
Its peer-to-peer fantasy sports title, PrizePicks Arena, has reached two million lineups since its initial launch. More than 100,000 players have contributed to Arena surpassing this milestone since the game’s debut.
Arena gives players an opportunity to show off their skills by competing directly against other players and “builds on PrizePicks’ existing game and extends the second screen sports entertainment experience within the PrizePicks community.”
PrizePicks Arena is currently available in the US in Alabama, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
I love it when I read how hungry these competitors are because, frankly, I think the industry is big enough for all of us. At the same time, it will drive us to push our innovation and player-first mindset even further. It’s not as if I want to see any company disappear from Planet Earth. I want to see us all succeed.
Mike Ybarra
A: Educated at Oregon State University (1994-1998), Mike Ybarra became CEO of PrizePicks following successful senior roles at Microsoft and Blizzard Entertainment. He has been married to Jennifer for 26 years, and they have four sons.
A: Mike Ybarra has been CEO of PrizePicks since August 2024.
A: Mike Ybarra already had an impressive track record in business, having held corporate VP roles at Microsoft for over 20 years and later becoming President of Blizzard Entertainment.
A: Drawing on his extensive experience in the gaming industry, Mike Ybarra is expected to lead PrizePicks’ diversification into the burgeoning predictions market, as well as drive market growth with the backing of the majority stakeholder, Allwyn.
A: Mike took over as CEO from the company’s founder, Adam Wexler. Adam transitioned to become Executive Chairman.
