Pretty much any time an employee parts with a company, it’s at least significant for someone. In this case, though, the split is significant for an industry.

Charlie Wiegert, a founder of CDM Fantasy Sports nearly 20 years ago, will officially part ways with Fanball on Tuesday.

“Charlie’s impact on the industry is hard to overstate,” said Paul Charchian, another industry veteran and president of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association. “His 20-plus years of effort have helped define pay game contests. He’s supported the industry through work on the FSTA, sponsorships of industry events, and helping countless employees.”

After 17 years in newspaper ad sales — much of which was also spent competing in fantasy leagues — Wiegert helped found CDM Fantasy Sports in 1991. That company quickly became a leading games operator, running fantasy contests for media partners and other sports outlets. CDM was acquired in August 2006 by FUN Technologies, by then also the parent company of Fanball.

“I have really enjoyed the past 19 years in this industry, and look forward to having some time off,” Wiegert told FSB.com. “I do not have any plans for the future yet, but do plan on staying active in the industry, still writing my blog — godfatheroffantasysports.com — and remaining as treasurer of the FSTA.”

Of course, the most impactful segment of Wiegert’s career came in the courtroom. That was where his company — in CBC v. Major League Baseball Advanced Media — assured fantasy operators everywhere the right to use player names and statistics in their games without having to pay rights fees to the leagues involved.

“Winning the lawsuit with MLBAM/MLBPA was the highlight of my career, and knowing that fantasy sports games will remain in the hands of game operators instead of the leagues is very satisfying,” Wiegert said. “Most fantasy sports players do not realize that the games they play and love would have been changed and/or eliminated without a positive decision.”

Charchian added: “CDM’s successful battle with MLBAM saved the industry from monopoly by the leagues.”

We here at FSB.com wish Charlie the best of luck in whatever he decides to do next.

More: Jeff Thomas shares thoughts on Wiegert’s impact on the fantasy sports industry.

(Note: Although Charchian co-founded Fanball, he has no affiliation with the company at this point.)