News

Financial Executive Kevin Chessen Joins Skillz Board of Directors

By Brand Creative on February 21, 2023 in Press Releases

Skillz (NYSE: SKLZ), the leading mobile games platform bringing fair competition to players worldwide, today announced that Kevin Chessen, co-founder of BTIG, has joined its Board of Directors. Chessen will serve on the Audit Committee of the Board.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Kevin Chessen to our board. His extensive expertise in investment and finance will be invaluable as we build the next chapter of Skillz,” said Andrew Paradise, CEO of Skillz.

“Skillz is truly a disruptor and innovator in the mobile game industry,” said Kevin Chessen. “I’m honored to join the Board of Directors and excited about the future of the company.”

Chessen is currently an advisor at Argonaut Investments, a firm that owns and operates approximately 40 shopping centers across the Western United States. Prior to this, Chessen co-founded global financial services firm BTIG and its predecessor firm Baypoint Trading in 2002, also serving as a member of BTIG’s Global Operating Committee. Previously, Chessen was the Head of Listed Trading at Banc of America Securities, Head of Asian Equity Trading at Merrill Lynch, and Senior Trader on the International Trading Desk at S.G. Warburg. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in business economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

About Skillz Inc.

Skillz is the leading mobile games platform dedicated to bringing out the best in everyone through competition. The Skillz platform helps developers create multi-million dollar franchises by enabling social competition in their games. Leveraging its patented technology, Skillz hosts billions of casual esports tournaments for millions of mobile players worldwide, with the goal of building the home of competition for all. Skillz has earned recognition as one of Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators, CNBC’s Disruptor 50, Forbes’ Next Billion-Dollar Startups, Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and the number-one fastest-growing company in America on the Inc. 5000. www.skillz.com

Financial Executive Alex Mandel Joins Skillz Board of Directors

By Brand Creative on January 20, 2023 in Press Releases

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – January 20, 2023 – Skillz (NYSE: SKLZ), the leading mobile games platform bringing fair competition to players worldwide, today announced that Alex Mandel, Chief Financial Officer of The Influential Network Inc., has joined its Board of Directors. Mandel will serve on the Audit Committee of the Board. Mandel replaces Vanna Mehta-Krantz, who is stepping down to focus on other work commitments. Skillz is thankful for her contributions to the company during her tenure. 

“We’re thrilled to welcome Alex Mandel to our board. His decades of financial experience, coupled with deep understanding of user acquisition, will be invaluable as we build the future of our company,” said Andrew Paradise, CEO of Skillz. 

Mandel currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of The Influential Network Inc., a privately-held influencer marketing company. Prior to this, Mandel served as Chief Financial Officer of Fluent, Inc. (Nasdaq: FLNT), IAC Applications, and LendingTree, Inc. (Nasdaq: TREE). At LendingTree, he was credited with playing an essential role in the Company’s resurgence. Mandel also held the position of Managing Director at investment banking firms Centerview Partners, LLC and Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. He received his Bachelor of Arts in economics from Tufts University and his Masters of Business Administration from Columbia Business School.

“I see incredible potential in Skillz as it defines an entire industry,” said Alex Mandel. “It’s a privilege to join Skillz’ Board of Directors at such a pivotal time in the company’s journey and to help accelerate its trajectory towards profitable growth.”

About Skillz Inc.

Skillz is the leading mobile games platform dedicated to bringing out the best in everyone through competition. The Skillz platform helps developers create multi-million dollar franchises by enabling social competition in their games. Leveraging its patented technology, Skillz hosts billions of casual esports tournaments for millions of mobile players worldwide, with the goal of building the home of competition for all. Skillz has earned recognition as one of Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators, CNBC’s Disruptor 50, Forbes’ Next Billion-Dollar Startups, Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and the number-one fastest-growing company in America on the Inc. 5000. www.skillz.com

Seasoned Gaming and Hospitality Executive Seth Schorr Joins Skillz Board of Directors

By Skillz on August 25, 2022 in Press Releases

Experienced CEO and Chairman Brings Deep Leadership Expertise As Skillz Builds the Home of Competition for All 

Skillz (NYSE: SKLZ), the leading mobile games platform bringing fair competition to players worldwide, today announced that Seth Schorr, Chief Executive Officer of Fifth Street Gaming and Chairman of Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino, has joined its Board of Directors. Schorr will serve on the Compensation Committee of the Board. 

“We’re incredibly excited to bring Seth Schorr and his extensive experience in interactive gaming and entertainment to our board as we embark on the next chapter of Skillz,” said Andrew Paradise, CEO of Skillz.

Beginning his career in gaming and hospitality in 1991, Schorr served as an integral member of the Wynn Resorts team, developing the international marketing department in Macau and the interactive gaming division in Nevada. Schorr and his partner, Jeffrey Fine, co-founded Fifth Street Gaming, which owns and operates five casinos. The principals of Fifth Street Gaming also control, through its affiliate, the LEV Restaurant Group, a food and beverage operation that owns and manages more than 60 restaurants in the Las Vegas area and Southern California. 

In early 2015, Schorr was introduced to the world of esports and led the effort to develop the first fully integrated esports program in a casino resort at The Downtown Grand. In 2017, Schorr launched Commercial Streaming Solutions, which developed the patented media platform BettorView to bring sports betting content to casinos, bars, and stadiums throughout the country. In 2021, Schorr founded JefeBet, a multimedia and entertainment brand focused on serving the Latinx community. Schorr is also a founder of the Nevada Esports Alliance and was appointed to the Nevada Gaming Control Board’s Esports Technical Advisory Committee in 2021.

Schorr is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, a member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO), and sits on numerous boards – including The Las Vegas Natural History Museum, Nevada Restaurant Association, Jewish Federation of Las Vegas, Advisory Board of The Smith Center for Performing Arts, One Night for One Drop, and the Nevada State Board of Museums & History. He is also the Chairman and an executive board member of the Communications Committee of the Downtown Las Vegas alliance.

“Skillz has an incredibly bright future ahead, and it’s thrilling to join the board at this pivotal moment in the company’s journey,” said Seth Schorr.

About Skillz Inc.

Skillz is the leading mobile games platform dedicated to bringing out the best in everyone through competition. The Skillz platform helps developers create multi-million dollar franchises by enabling social competition in their games. Leveraging its patented technology, Skillz hosts billions of casual esports tournaments for millions of mobile players worldwide, with the goal of building the home of competition for all. Skillz has earned recognition as one of Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators, CNBC’s Disruptor 50, Forbes’ Next Billion-Dollar Startups, Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and the number-one fastest-growing company in America on the Inc. 5000. www.skillz.com

Henry Hoffman, Partner at SL Advisors, Joins Skillz Board of Directors

By Skillz on August 5, 2022 in Press Releases

Experienced Portfolio Manager Brings Deep Financial Expertise As Skillz Builds for Profitable Growth

Skillz (NYSE: SKLZ), the leading mobile games platform bringing fair competition to players worldwide, today announced that Henry Hoffman, Partner and Portfolio Manager at SL Advisors, has joined its Board of Directors.  Hoffman will serve on the Audit Committee of the Board. 

“We’re thrilled for Henry Hoffman to bring his extensive experience in the financial services industry to our board as Skillz is building for profitable growth,” said Andrew Paradise, CEO of Skillz.

Henry Hoffman is a Partner at SL Advisors and Portfolio Manager of the SL Advisors MLP & Infrastructure SMA strategies. He is also Co-Portfolio Manager of the Catalyst Energy Infrastructure Fund (MLXIX) and Co-Portfolio Manager for the Rational Inflation Growth Fund (IGOIX). Hoffman is a co-creator of the American Energy Indices, with a deep passion for the energy infrastructure space. Before joining SL Advisors, he worked as a buy-side equity analyst for PNC Capital Advisors and a private equity real estate analyst for PNC Realty Investors. Hoffman graduated from Duke University with a B.S in economics and a minor in chemistry.

“Skillz is a true pioneer and leader that’s reimagining the future of entertainment through competition. I am honored to join the board and be part of the company’s journey ahead,” said Henry Hoffman.

About Skillz Inc.

Skillz is the leading mobile games platform dedicated to bringing out the best in everyone through competition. The Skillz platform helps developers create multi-million dollar franchises by enabling social competition in their games. Leveraging its patented technology, Skillz hosts billions of casual esports tournaments for millions of mobile players worldwide, with the goal of building the home of competition for all. Skillz has earned recognition as one of Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators, CNBC’s Disruptor 50, Forbes’ Next Billion-Dollar Startups, Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and the number-one fastest-growing company in America on the Inc. 5000. www.skillz.com

Media Contact

press@skillz.com 

Skillz Hires Blackstone Executive Jason Roswig as President and CFO

By Skillz on June 30, 2022 in Press Releases

Roswig Brings 20+ Years of Financial Experience 

Across Blackstone, McKinsey, and GE to Leading Mobile Gaming Platform

Skillz (NYSE: SKLZ), the leading mobile games platform bringing fair and fun competition to players worldwide, announced today that veteran finance executive Jason Roswig has been hired as the company’s President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Roswig will join the company on August 8, 2022 from Blackstone, where he served as Managing Director. He will replace the current Skillz CFO, Ian Lee, who is stepping down to pursue other opportunities.

“Jason is a true leader who will be dedicated to bringing both financial and operational excellence to Skillz. I couldn’t be more excited about him joining our leadership team,” said Andrew Paradise, CEO and founder of Skillz. 

As President and CFO, Roswig will report directly to Paradise and oversee the company’s finance and operations functions, including accounting, investor relations, FP&A, tax, corporate development, administration, and strategy. “I am thrilled to join a company as unique as Skillz and maximize its full potential. I am also deeply passionate about making Skillz the best place to work for top talent in the industry,” said Roswig. 

Formerly Managing Director in Blackstone’s Private Equity and Portfolio Operations groups, Roswig had oversight of the financial and operating performance of Blackstone’s technology portfolio. Prior to that, he served as an Expert Associate Partner in McKinsey & Company’s Corporate Finance and Organization practices, providing and implementing recommendations on growth, mergers & acquisitions, and post-close value creation opportunities. Prior to McKinsey, Roswig spent 12 years at the General Electric Company in a variety of Finance and Corporate Development executive roles in the United States, Germany, and China.

About Skillz Inc.

Skillz is the leading mobile games platform with a mission to bring out the best in everyone through competition. The Skillz platform helps developers build multi-million dollar franchises by enabling social competition in their games. Leveraging its patented technology, Skillz hosts billions of casual esports tournaments for millions of mobile players worldwide, and distributes millions in prizes each month. Skillz has earned recognition as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, CNBC’s Disruptor 50, Forbes’ Next Billion-Dollar Startups, and the number-one fastest-growing company in America on the Inc. 5000. www.skillz.com 

Media Contact

press@skillz.com 

SHARI GLAZER, CEO OF KALOS LABS AND FOUNDER OF US DIGITAL TRUST, JOINS SKILLZ BOARD OF DIRECTORS

By Skillz on May 12, 2022 in Press Releases

The Globally-Recognized Philanthropist, Entrepreneur, and Owner of the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Manchester United Joins Skillz Board
as Its Second Woman Director

Skillz (NYSE: SKLZ), the leading mobile games platform bringing fair and fun competition to players worldwide, today announced that Shari Glazer, entrepreneur and a globally-recognized philanthropist, has joined its board of directors. Shari serves as the second woman director to be elected to the Skillz board of directors, which now includes eight board members.

“We couldn’t be happier to benefit from Shari Glazer’s extensive expertise at the intersection of sports, technology, and philanthropy, and bring her on our journey to deliver fair competition to everyone, redefining how competition happens– in mobile gaming and beyond,” said Andrew Paradise, CEO of Skillz.

In addition to being Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kalos Labs, a digital assets and blockchain platform for global brands, Shari Glazer is the founder of US DIGITAL Trust, which manages a diverse portfolio of private investments across the digital assets industry. The Glazer family has also owned the Tampa Bay Buccaneers franchise since 1995, helping steer the team to Super Bowl victory in 2021, and British soccer powerhouse Manchester United, which they acquired in 2006. As a globally-recognized philanthropist and co-founder of the Edward and Shari Glazer Charitable Trust, Glazer currently sits on the Board of Trustees for MOCA, and Board of Overseers at Hoover Institution, Stanford University. In 2018, Glazer opened the Shari and Ed Glazer Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI), designed to enhance collaboration and experiential learning, and to serve as an academic hub and idea incubator. 

“I’m honored to join Skillz’s Board. As a category creator, Skillz has been uniquely positioned to disrupt the competitive mobile games industry and build the home for competition for all. I look forward to the opportunity to be a part of the company’s evolution and next stage of growth,” said Glazer. 

About Skillz Inc.

Skillz is the leading mobile games platform that connects players in fair, fun, and meaningful competition. The Skillz platform helps developers build multi-million dollar franchises by enabling social competition in their games. Leveraging its patented technology, Skillz hosts billions of casual esports tournaments for millions of mobile players worldwide, and distributes millions in prizes each month. Skillz has earned recognition as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, CNBC’s Disruptor 50, Forbes’ Next Billion-Dollar Startups, and the number-one fastest-growing company in America on the Inc. 5000. www.skillz.com 

Media Contact

press@skillz.com 

Source: Skillz Inc.

UFC® ENTERS A MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP BRINGING NEXT LEVEL MOBILE GAMING COMPETITION TO LIFE ON SKILLZ PLATFORM

By Skillz on March 23, 2022 in Press Releases

UFC, One of the Largest and Most Recognized Global Sports Brands 

Opens the Door for Skillz Developers to Create Original,

Branded UFC Competitive Mobile Games

In a strategic move to merge the sensational world of esports competition with premium sports & entertainment, Skillz (NYSE: SKLZ), the leading mobile games platform bringing fair and fun competition to players worldwide, today announced a multi-year partnership with UFC®, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization. The licensing deal, which will enable Skillz’ developers to create UFC-branded competitive mobile games that are co-marketed by UFC and Skillz, was revealed at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco. Skillz is currently exhibiting (South Hall Booth #S749) March 23-25. 

“Skillz’ partnership with UFC is part of our winning strategy that aligns Skillz’ disruptive competitive mobile games platform with the business of sport. We’re delivering an enticing opportunity for developers to create the most innovative, branded mobile games for UFC’s millions of loyal fans worldwide,” said Andrew Paradise, CEO of Skillz. “The popularity of the UFC brand, which represents one of the fastest- rising sports globally, combined with Skillz’ mobile gaming expertise, is a huge win for developers seeking to monetize and grow their games through the power of competition. We look forward to nurturing this incredible collaboration to life in the coming months and years.”

“We’re thrilled to partner with Skillz to bring new mobile games to our fans,” said UFC Senior Vice President of Global Consumer Products Tracey Bleczinski. “UFC is always looking to engage with our fans, and we have found gaming to be one of the best ways we connect with them beyond our live events. Our research shows there is large number of UFC fans who are prolific gamers, so this is a perfect way to reach this audience.”

The deal allows selected game creators from Skillz developer community to utilize certain UFC and UFC athlete intellectual property for mobile game creation and marketing. The new UFC-branded mobile games are slated to launch in 2023. 

To sign up and gather more information about creating the next great UFC-branded mobile game, contact devb2bmarketing@skillz.com

About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 625 million fans and 188 million media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to nearly 900 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is owned by global sports and entertainment company Endeavor, and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok: @UFC.

About Skillz Inc.

Skillz is the leading mobile games platform that connects players in fair, fun, and meaningful competition. The Skillz platform helps developers build multi-million dollar franchises by enabling social competition in their games. Leveraging its patented technology, Skillz hosts billions of casual esports tournaments for millions of mobile players worldwide, and distributes millions in prizes each month. Skillz has earned recognition as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, CNBC’s Disruptor 50, Forbes’ Next Billion-Dollar Startups, and the number-one fastest-growing company in America on the Inc. 5000. www.skillz.com

SKILLZ NAMES PLAY MECHANIX THE FIRST “DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR” AWARD RECIPIENT OF 2021 AT THIS YEAR’S GAME DEVELOPERS CONFERENCE

By Skillz on March 22, 2022 in Press Releases

Play Mechanix, Creator of the Big Buck Hunter: Marksman Mobile Game, 

Recognized As The Year’s “Best In Class” Developer 

Honored for Creativity, Innovation, and Growth on Skillz’ Platform

Recognizing the talents of its developer community that builds highly competitive game experiences for everyone – Skillz (NYSE: SKLZ), the leading mobile games platform bringing fair, fun and meaningful competition to players worldwide, today announced the first-ever “Developer of the Year” is Play Mechanix. The Chicago-based developer of the legendary Big Buck Hunter franchise that launched the Big Buck Hunter: Marksman mobile game version exclusively on Skillz’ platform last fall, is being recognized by Skillz for their achievement as the standout developer partner of 2021, which was revealed today at the 36th Annual Game Developer Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, California.

“Developers are the heart and soul of the Skillz platform, so it’s a pleasure to honor Play Mechanix as the recipient of Skillz’ first ‘Developer of the Year’ Award,” said Andrew Paradise, CEO of Skillz. “We are delighted by the dedication shown by their entire development team. From introducing one of last year’s fastest rising titles on the Skillz platform that ranked No. 1 in the sports category on the Apple App Store within its first week of release, to now becoming a finalist in the NFL & Skillz Game Developer Challenge, Play Mechanix serves as a stellar example for other developers seeking to build multi-million dollar games on Skillz’ platform. We look forward to continuing our prosperous relationship together in 2022 and for years to come.”

Play Mechanix’s Journey with Skillz 

Play Mechanix’s partnership with Skillz began in 2020, with an eye on bringing its iconic Big Buck Hunter arcade franchise to a massively growing mobile gaming fan base, leveraging Skillz’ competitive mobile games platform. Skillz powers over two billion tournaments each year. This was a perfect match given the heritage behind Big Buck Hunter, whose wildly popular first-person shooter game has enticed fans with live, head-to-head arcade competition for over 20 years. Play Mechanix’s next-generation mobile game, Big Buck Hunter: Marksman inaugurated the first-person shooter game genre on Skillz’ platform. Skillz made community and competition – something Play Mechanix has been successfully doing for years in the traditional games space – an enticing new business strategy for Play Mechanix within the thriving mobile games market. The opportunity to monetize and grow its blockbuster franchise through competition on Skillz’ platform has opened doors to a whole new fan base of players unimaginable before. Play Mechanix has been expanding its relationship with Skillz, continuing to iterate upon its popular hunting title and enhance the player experience. They are launching new animals to target, and introducing a new sync version utilizing Skillz’ integration with  Photon Engine from partner Exit Games for synchronous multi-player gaming, which aims to boost player engagement and retention. 

“Skillz’ expertise in the mobile games industry, guiding us through the entire development process and helping nurture our Big Buck Hunter: Marksman mobile game to life in such a short amount of time has been incredible,” said George Petro, President of Play Mechanix. “There is no other platform out there that matches Skillz’ triple-threat ability to enable developers to bring their games to life, create new games partnering with some of the most recognizable branded IP and build games that monetize for a built-in mobile gaming audience that thrives on competition.”  

Other developer nominees considered for the Skillz 2021 “Developer of the Year” award included BoomBit, developer of the Skillz-powered Dart Tournament mobile game and etermax, creators of Trivia Crack Payday.

Skillz Spotlights Play Mechanix at GDC 2022

Skillz will be hosting a GDC speaking panel session on March 23, 12:30-1:30pm, titled “Building the Future of Competition”. Join panel speakers Andrew Paradise, CEO of Skillz; George Petro, President of Play Mechanix; and Mark Val, Head of Growth at Photon Engine, who will highlight the successes and opportunities for developers to monetize their games through competition.

Also on display at Skillz (Booth #S749 South Hall) during GDC, will be a series of spotlight videos capturing Play Mechanix’s partnership with Skillz. To watch the spotlight videos and Skillz speaking panel session, all content will be posted live via Skillz’ GDC Virtual Booth.

About Skillz Inc.

Skillz is the leading mobile games platform that connects players in fair, fun, and meaningful competition. The Skillz platform helps developers build multi-million dollar franchises by enabling social competition in their games. Leveraging its patented technology, Skillz hosts billions of casual esports tournaments for millions of mobile players worldwide, and distributes millions in prizes each month. Skillz has earned recognition as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, CNBC’s Disruptor 50, Forbes’ Next Billion-Dollar Startups, and the number-one fastest-growing company in America on the Inc. 5000. www.skillz.com 

About Play Mechanix, Inc.

Founded in 1995 by former Midway designer George Petro, (NARC, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Revolution X), Play Mechanix is a global leader in the design and development of arcade video games. Merging with Raw Thrills in 2006 to form the top arcade video game manufacturer in the world, Play Mechanix is responsible for hit releases such as the Big Buck Hunter series, Minecraft Dungeons Arcade, Halo: Fireteam Raven, The Walking Dead, Terminator Salvation, Aliens Armageddon, MotoGP, and many, many more.

THE NFL & SKILLZ GAME DEVELOPER CHALLENGE REVEAL THE FINALISTS FOR THE FIRST NFL BRANDED MOBILE GAMES

By Skillz on March 14, 2022 in Press Releases

Final Winning Games Launch with the 2022 NFL Season

The National Football League (NFL) and Skillz (NYSE: SKLZ), the leading mobile games platform bringing fair and fun competition to players worldwide, today revealed the NFL & Skillz Game Developer Challenge has selected the four developer finalists, Brainstorm Games, iGamebank, Play Mechanix, and Session Games, whose NFL-inspired game creations have earned the coveted rights to brand their games with the NFL and club logos, and move on to the soft launch phase. 

“To have an opportunity to create a branded NFL game is a milestone achievement for developers,” said Andrew Paradise, CEO of Skillz. “Congratulations to these four talented developers whose innovative games rose to the challenge. We look forward to seeing which final games come out on top to score the big win.” 

The NFL & Skillz Game Developer Challenge will conclude this summer and the winning games will officially launch for play on iOS and Android prior to the 2022 NFL season. For more information, visit skillz.com/nflchallenge.

About Skillz Inc.

Skillz is the leading mobile games platform that connects players in fair, fun, and meaningful competition. The Skillz platform helps developers build multi-million dollar franchises by enabling social competition in their games. Leveraging its patented technology, Skillz hosts billions of casual esports tournaments for millions of mobile players worldwide, and distributes millions in prizes each month. Skillz has earned recognition as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, CNBC’s Disruptor 50, Forbes’ Next Billion-Dollar Startups, and the number-one fastest-growing company in America on the Inc. 5000. www.skillz.com

Media Contact
press@Skillz.com
Source: Skillz Inc.

National Football League (NFL)
Liana Bailey 
liana.bailey@nfl.com