One week after Yahoo Sports laid off longtime fantasy sports writers Andy Behrens and Dalton Del Don, multiple members of the fantasy sports community took notice of the online outlet’s recent use of AI.
A Yahoo Sports spokesperson, however, disputed the notion that the company’s use of AI is connected to the layoffs in any way.
The story in question was posted on Tuesday under the title “Why Jameson Williams is no longer a boom-or-bust fantasy football option in 2025. The story featured a “Yahoo Sports” byline and includes a note at the top of it indicating that it was written with the assistance of AI.
“This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy,” the disclaimer reads. “Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.”
Yahoo laid off two of its longest tenured (and prominent) analysts last week
All the articles in this screenshot were created with AI
Time to develop a backup plan if you’re working in this industry https://t.co/7UHRjhxSKM pic.twitter.com/SAEHjLJB8S
— Josh Larky (@jlarkytweets) June 10, 2025
This explains a lot. pic.twitter.com/fJlWcRYBUf
— Paul Charchian (@PaulCharchian) June 10, 2025
So Yahoo fires two Titans in Fantasy Football content creation and replaces them with AI? Don’t they realize AI-generated content is just an aggregate of content already on the Internet? What happens when all content creators are replaced? There won’t be any new content https://t.co/dKRhe6mbC0
— BonnieFF (@FantasyQueenB) June 10, 2025
Despite some perception that the AI-generated content is effectively replacing the work left behind following last week’s layoffs, a Yahoo spokesperson insisted that’s not the case. The spokesperson told Awful Announcing that the AI tool helps create summaries of existing Yahoo Sports podcast episodes, which are then reviewed, edited, and published by a member of the editorial team and that the written summaries are intended to supplement and support Yahoo Sports podcasts, making it easier for fans to catch up on episodes.
In a previous statement to Barrett Media, a Yahoo Sports spokesperson also noted that the company has used the AI tool since February and said that it is continuing to invest in its content team, including with regard to fantasy football.
Considering the recent advancement of AI, such controversies regarding its role in content creation are Inevitable. Moving forward, it will be worth monitoring how outlets like Yahoo will continue to utilize the tool, as well as how such content is received by its audience.
About Ben Axelrod
Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.