United Airlines and ESPN Take Fantasy Football Draft to 35,000 Feet

The 2026 ESPN Fantasy Football Draft, scheduled for 9 to 11 p.m. ET, bridges the gap between the ground and the air. While Fulghum manages his team from a commercial cabin at cruising altitude, colleagues Field Yates, Mike Clay, and Liz Loza will anchor the event from ESPN’s Bristol, Connecticut, studio. Social correspondent Omar Raja will document the process for digital platforms, highlighting the integration of travel and live sports engagement.

United’s Chief Advertising Officer Maggie Schmerin noted that the partnership serves to prove that travel no longer necessitates an auto-draft, a common frustration for fans in transit. The broadcast will also feature a commercial spot filmed during the flight, emphasizing the airline's ongoing effort to maintain high-speed internet access across its fleet. Since partnering with SpaceX, United has equipped over 500 mainline and regional aircraft with Starlink service, providing complimentary access to MileagePlus members.