Ep. 7 - “Balancing Art and Science in Fantasy Football”
with Jason Aucone
Summary
In this episode, Michael Pruchniewski interviews Jason Aucone, a data enthusiast and fantasy football player. They discuss Jason's background in sports and data, the development of his KISS model for fantasy football, and the importance of balancing data analytics with human elements. Jason shares insights on his current projects, predictions for the future of AI in data analytics, and personal anecdotes, including a memorable encounter with Adam Sandler.
Jason’s Portfolio: https://sites.google.com/view/jasons-analytics-portfolio/home
It’s estimated that ~30M Americans play Fantasy Football annually and about 14M played ESPN’s in 2025
Youtube channel mentioned: Underdog Fantasy - Josh & Hayden
Top Insights
Passion for Sports and Data - Jason's interest in sports and data stems from his upbringing in Boston, a city rich in sports culture. His family's love for sports and his own participation in basketball and soccer fueled his passion.
Fantasy Football Journey - Jason has been involved in a fantasy football league since fifth grade, highlighting his long-standing engagement with sports analytics and data-driven decision-making.
Influence of Family - His father, a data professional, played a significant role in steering Jason towards data science, emphasizing the importance of parental influence in career choices.
KISS Model - Jason developed the "Keep It Simple, Stupid" (KISS) model for fantasy football, which uses simple data points like preseason win totals to predict player performance, demonstrating the power of simplicity in data modeling.
Balancing Art and Science - Jason emphasizes the need for balance between data analytics and human intuition, acknowledging that while data is crucial, the human element in sports cannot be overlooked.
AI in Data Analytics - Jason believes AI will continue to play a significant role in data analytics, serving as a tool to handle routine tasks while allowing professionals to focus on more complex problems.
Advice for Students - Jason encourages students to take initiative and explore their interests, leveraging free resources and data to learn and grow without the pressure of deadlines.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Fantasy Football and Data
01:41 Background and Passion for Sports and Data
09:04 Current Work and Projects in Data
11:03 The KISS Model: Simplifying Fantasy Football Predictions
17:58 Balancing Art and Science in Data Analysis
23:02 The Balance of Analytics and Human Element in Sports
26:39 The Role of Analysts in Fantasy Sports
30:13 The Future of AI in Data Analytics
36:25 Advice for Aspiring Data Enthusiasts
39:16 "Behind the Data"