When Travis McCoy presented at the FSTA summer conference last June, he focused primarily on the nine states dragging their feet on allowing fantasy sports payouts. Now he’ll try to effect change on that front and look out while also looking out for fantasy’s interests on the federal level.

The Fantasy Sports Trade Association announced this week that it has hired McCoy — who runs Washington, D.C., lobbying firm McCoy Lobbying — as its chief lobbyist and political consultant.

“Despite widespread fantasy sports play throughout America, the pastime remains misunderstood, and often incorrectly categorized as gambling,” FSTA president Paul Charchian said in the media release. “McCoy Lobbying works with federal and state legislators to ensure that fantasy play remains protected and legal to as many Americans as possible. He brings great value to fantasy companies and the 27 million Americans that participate.”

McCoy, whom the FSTA hired a few months ago, will work with federal and state legislators to try to further fantasy sports interests at both levels.

“He will work alongside legislators to create laws that will foster growth in the fantasy sports industry and will pay particular attention to the gaming laws that affect fantasy businesses,” the FSTA release stated.

McCoy previously worked for Rep. John Boehner for two years when Boehner was the House minority leader and also spent two years under Sen. Fred Thompson. McCoy also worked as a deputy finance director for a senate campaign in Louisiana, the state that most visibly dealt with the issue of legalizing fantasy payouts back in the spring.

The move comes at a particularly interesting time, as senate majority leader Harry Reid is said to be pushing a bill that will alter the laws governing online poker. One would not expect the pursuit to legalize poker to affect the already-legal status of fantasy games, but it can’t hurt to have someone representing our interests on a potentially changing landscape.

FSB.com will check in with McCoy and the FSTA leadership for any further details on plans for new lobbying position.