Full-Stack Developer for Sports Newsletter MVP — Next.js, Vercel, Sports APIs, AI

I’m building Game In Five, a sports media/newsletter product that gives casual fans the most important updates about their team in roughly five minutes. The first MVP is focused on Montreal hockey. The website/front-end is already built in Next.js, stored in GitHub, and deployed on Vercel. I’m looking for a strong full-stack developer to build the backend, sports-data, AI, and publishing workflow before the upcoming hockey season. What I need built: -Audit and work within the existing Next.js codebase -Integrate a sports-data API for schedules, scores, standings, team/player stats, recent form, etc. -Create a structured workflow for Pregame Five and Postgame Five -Build an AI-assisted drafting workflow for headlines, summaries, storylines, trends, and game takeaways -Create a simple admin interface where I can review, edit, approve, and publish drafts without touching code -Publish approved briefs as web pages -Connect the backend/publishing workflow to Beehiiv’s API so approved content can be used for newsletter delivery -Work with the Beehiiv structure/templates already configured by a separate Beehiiv specialist -Set up analytics, error handling, and basic QA -Maintain deployment through GitHub + Vercel -Structure the backend so additional teams can be added later without rebuilding the system Important: This is a lean MVP, not a full sports app. The Beehiiv publication, subscriber segmentation, welcome emails, waitlist flows, and email templates are being handled separately by a Beehiiv specialist. I do not yet need: -native app -user accounts -paid tier -gamification -push notifications -full multi-team automation full player database The website design and branding are already largely complete. I need someone focused primarily on backend architecture, APIs, AI automation, and publishing. Ideal experience Strong experience with: -Next.js / React -Vercel -GitHub -API integrations -serverless/backend development -AI / LLM APIs and workflows -databases/content systems -Beehiiv API or similar newsletter APIs -Automation tools such as n8n, Make, or Zapier Sports-data or media-product experience is a major plus. Timeline Target launch: within approximately 15 days (let me know if not possible) There is potential for ongoing work if the MVP succeeds, including additional teams, premium subscriptions, deeper automation, and eventually a larger sports platform. Please include -2–3 relevant examples of your work -experience building AI-assisted content workflows -which sports-data provider you would recommend and why -experience integrating with Beehiiv or similar newsletter APIs -whether you can realistically complete the MVP within ~15 days -your fixed-price quote Budget: approximately US$1,000–$1,500 fixed price, depending on experience and proposed approach.