From fantasy to reality: Brooklyn sculptor turns love of fantasy football into business

Even Jay-Z has his eye on one of these sculptures, the artist said

Published September 29, 2015 1:00PM (EDT)

  (NY Daily News)
(NY Daily News)

In 1991, Brooklyn artist Dave Mitri won his fantasy football league. Taking sculpting classes in college at the time, he decided to sculpt a prize trophy for himself. Nearly 25 years later, Mitri has now sold his trophies to residents in all 50 states.

Unlike any other fantasy football trophy, Mitri's trophies are modeled after out of shape couch potatoes. "When you're involved in a fantasy league, pretty much all you do is sit around on a couch all day and just watch football," said Mitri. "There was never an idea where I thought 'let me do an athletic looking figure'... the idea of having a remote control and a can of beer, that's all I did."

Mitri's biggest client yet? Jay-Z. He says that knowing celebrities and athletes are playing for his trophies is "the coolest thing."

"Taking what essentially is a hobby and being that I really love football and sports, to take a passion of yours and be able to have a small business around it is really incredible," said Mitri.

To check out Mitri's trophies visit fantasytrophies.com. Watch our interview with Mitri below:

[jwplayer file="http://media.salon.com/2015/09/Dave-Mitri.mp4" image="http://media.salon.com/2015/09/trophies1.jpg"][/jwplayer]

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By Asha Parker

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