70+ Owners Have Been With The NFBC Since 2004

[Greg Ambrosius]

As we prepare for our 10th anniversary season in the NFBC -- the longest tenure in the history of high-stakes fantasy sports -- it's important that we remember the past before beginning plans for the future. Today I went back to our 2004 NFBC Main Event -- which drew 195 teams -- and went down the list to see how many owners are still competing in the Main Event 9 years later. To my surprise, there are more than 70 owners competing with us 9 years later and hopefully all of them will return for our 10th season in 2013.

My goal is to honor these 70+ owners who were with us from the beginning and for the most part have supported us every step of the way with a special celebration on Draft Day 2013. Not every single owner on this list has competed every single year, but most of them have been in the Main Event all 9 years and most of these owners have been to every live event either in Las Vegas, New York or Chicago.

At our 5th anniversary we created baseball caps for our 90+ members who had been with us every year and to my surprise some of you still wear those to NFBC live drafts. They look a little ragged, but they were great hats and they showcased each of you as Charter Members. Now we have to think of something special for our 10th anniversary.

My goal is to create such a special weekend in Las Vegas on March 21-24 that many of you will choose to come to Las Vegas and draft with us there (hopefully it's at the Bellagio). We still have a lot of work to do on our 2013 plans, but if you're on this list and always thought about taking a special trip for Draft Day, consider Las Vegas for opening weekend of March Madness. The combination of opening weekend of March Madness, a special kickoff viewing party for NFBC members on that Thursday and 3-4 days of live drafts may just prove to be too good to ignore. I'll keep working on the reasons for you to attend and you keep your calendars open. Thanks all.

Okay, so let's look at the list of owners who have been with us since 2004 and were still competing in 2009. If I missed you, email me at [email protected] or post it here. I'll get you added to the list. Some of the folks on this list were actually co-managers in 2004 who took their own teams the next year or in following years. But everyone here supported us in Season 1 and have been with us through Season 9. Thanks all.

NFBC Owners Who Have Been With The NFBC For 9 Seasons:
Artie Rastelli (2004 NFBC Overall Champion)
Shawn Childs
Emmett Ruland
Ari Benjamin
Stephen Jupinka
Scott Zeidman
Clark Olson
Eric Price
Leonard Ringle
Mike O'Connor
Philip McDonald
Andy Nolan/Christopher Stephenson
David Cushard
Kevin Grady
Rick Thomas
Joe Thelen
John Wojtowicz
George Kleemann
Eddie Gillis
Pat DePirro
Ken Magner
John Hogan
Michael Edelman
Mark Yagan
Charlie Gillespie
Bradley Shairson
Marty Bedell
Ray Murphy
Paul Weber
Greg & Dale Morgan
Scott Fleming
Ken Norred
Chris Schinker
Norm Kent
Steve Wells
Wayne Edwards
Will Tyrer
Mark Srebro
Michael Cohen
Jim Christie
Yoni Bornstein
Laurence Edelman
Lenny Diveglio
Win Murray
John Rundle
Mike Cameron
Todd Zola
John Menna
Gene McCaffrey
Glenn Schroter
Aaron Smith
Don Mathis
Jeff Dobies
Matt Pike
Kevin Cummings
Donimic Cirigliano
Patrick Tremaglio
J.T. Visco
Donn Johnson
Jay Bufis
Dohn Terrell
David Longood
Greg & David Zwickel
Doug Jaffe
Chris Plouffe
KJ Duke
Nate Ravitz
Gregory Glukhovsky
Rey Diaz
Jeff Price

THANKS ALL!! You folks certainly helped to build the foundation for the NFBC and by Year 2 we sold out the Main Event and have sold it out every year since then. Now let's make our 10th season the best ever. Stay tuned for more details on what has the potential to be the best live draft event in our history.

[Scared $ Dont Make $]

How about a Greg Ambrosius bobble head

Of course that would be Greg holding a Corona with a big smile on his face in his Brewers jersey

[Greg Ambrosius]

How about a Greg Ambrosius bobble head

Of course that would be Greg holding a Corona with a big smile on his face in his Brewers jersey

I'm not sure my kids would even want that!! We can do better. We MUST do better!!

[ALL-IN JD]

Greg,

Maybe have those 70 owners have a separate overall standings in 2013 with the winner getting a free entry into an Ultimate League, second place a free Super entry and 3rd place a free Main Entry. Sure fire way to make sure all 70 are back!! (If that's too rich you can play with the prizes, just a thought).


Jeff

[King of Queens]

Wow, can't believe we're coming up on the 10th year of this event. While checking Rotoworld during the NFL playoffs in January 2004, I saw an ad for some new contest called the NFBC. Clicked on the link and instantly recognized Greg from his ESPN.com days (daze?). I remember saying to myself:

"This is EXACTLY what I am looking for in a fantasy league."

Now, almost 9 years later, I still feel the same way. Looking forward to celebrating with Greg and the Sensational Seventy in six months!

[Joe Sambito]

Greg,

I wear my hat all the time, "ragged" might be being kind. I thought one of the coolest features on the hat was the ability to add our team name. So many of the original 70 are known by their team name. Quahogs, RoundTrippers, All-IN, Men Without Helmets, God Our Team Sucks, Coldwater Coyotes, Las Vegas Ratpack, CC's Desperados (before he went Nascar-like all promo), etc. I know I missed a bunch. But the ability to add that was just that little extra touch that defines what it means to be a part of the NFBC.

A black batting practice jersey with the NFBC shield and "Charter Member" on the Front Left Chest and a number 10 on the back with the ability to add our Team Name above it, would be pretty darn snazzy...

I can't believe that it has been ten years, that is a testament to you Greg.

See you in Vegas in March.

Andy
Welcome to Stevieland

[Edwards Kings]

How about a Greg Ambrosius bobble head

Of course that would be Greg holding a Corona with a big smile on his face in his Brewers jersey

I wouldn't bobble. The mustache will weigh it down so that it would always look like he was trying to count his toes!