The NFBC In New York In 2010

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:32 am

Now that we're 3+ weeks removed from Draft Day and the season is moving along well, I thought I'd ask for some feedback about our host cities. In 2010, I think we'll stick to three regional live drafts and continue the online/phone option for the main event. I don't see a huge demand for us returning to Florida and I'm not certain there's a good fourth option at this point.

So let's analyze each city and get the planning rolling:

New York: We've held our live drafts in Manhattan for six straight years and we'll be back at the New York Sheraton this September for our NFFC live drafts. However, we haven't grown as much as I'd like in Manhattan and with hotel fees being so expensive in the city it's possible that it's hurting our turnout on Friday for the auction leagues and on Saturday for the main event. Few owners venture into the city on Sunday for the Ultimate and Super Leagues, too.

For the first time, I'm seriously considering a different venue for the East Coast. The cost of hosting this in the city is twice as much as any other city, including Las Vegas, and I don't see any chance to lower those costs in the future. There's no doubt we could find a viable option in Atlantic City or maybe somewhere between New York and Philadelphia or New York and Boston.

I'd like to hear from our New York participants to get their feelings on a potential new venue. I'll take any and all suggestions on whether a move would be good or bad, and whether they feel Manhattan is a must for the NFBC. I'll take any and all suggestions for venues in 2010 if you have some good ideas.

I'm not saying that we won't return to Manhattan, but those hotels don't even secure space until 6-7 months in advance of an event, so we have plenty of time to explore and come up with a good decision.

Las Vegas: We can return to the Flamingo and we are exploring that now at very, very good room rates for March Madness. We have a nice contract in place and now it's just a matter of working this out. I think we all know the good and the bad with the Flamingo, but as far as the rooms for our drafts they seem to work perfectly for what we need.

We might have another option on the Strip, but we'll see. Either way, Las Vegas has the potential to be our best location again in 2010 if the rate we have now holds true.

Chicago: I don't know about the availability of space for the Donald E. Stephens Center yet for next March, but I'd be interested in feedback about that venue. I wish the parking was cheaper in that location, but hopefully the draft rooms worked well. We've worked with the Oakbrook Marriott in the past for football and that's a good venue, too. Anyway, no matter where we land we'll definitely be back in Chicago for a seventh straight season.

Online/Phone Drafts: For those folks who can't make it to any of the live drafts, we will work with MockDraftCentral.com to host our online/phone drafts. Those worked very well this year and we will continue to offer these going forward for baseball and football.

Bring on the feedback. We want good, bad and indifferent opinions on each of the locations. Thanks all.

Red Sox Nation · Post by **Red Sox Nation** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:43 am

Hi Greg,

I've been a big fan of the Sheraton in NY but apparently the event is not growing enough for you to make business sense.

Where are most of the folks from who draft in NYC? I prefer Boston or CT (Foxwoods or Mohegan) if we had to make a move. I would imagine folks in southern NJ/PA wouldn't care for Boston just as I wouldn't care for anything south of NYC. I'll be there no matter what in 2010.

crazytown · Post by **crazytown** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:01 am

I would attend any auction in the east coast no matter where the draft.

However, I think you would not have the same in person turnout if you moved too far from NYC. I personally can't see more than 100 going to AC when the online draft for the main event is available. Maybe I'm wrong there. A lot less if you go Foxwoods or any further north. North Jersey or Westchester would probably be cheaper.

All being said, I would like it in AC. With the online available why not try AC for a year. People who want to participate will draft online if they don't want to go there. If AC is not cheaper for KP then do it in the NYC area. No need to go there if it is more expensive to run.

RobG · Post by **RobG** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:11 am

Greg, I have done Vegas, Orlando and Chicago and from a total experience there is no doubt Vegas is the winner, but it costs me way more than the entry fee to spend the weekend there. I did Chicago this year and loved that the airport was so close to the Stephens Center. I was able to fly in that morning and fly out right after the draft...that was a plus. My guess for the East Coast is that an airport being local would be a plus, which isn't the case with Moheghan or Foxwoods.

Red Sox Nation · Post by **Red Sox Nation** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:13 am

How about Providence? They have some great after hours entertainment establishments

CC's Desperados · Post by **CC's Desperados** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:16 am

Greg-

Would either of the new ballparks in New York have the right space? Do you think they would have any interest in holding an event at their field?

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:17 am

Originally posted by Red Sox Nation:

Hi Greg,

I've been a big fan of the Sheraton in NY but apparently the event is not growing enough for you to make business sense.

Where are most of the folks from who draft in NYC? I prefer Boston or CT (Foxwoods or Mohegan) if we had to make a move. I would imagine folks in southern NJ/PA wouldn't care for Boston just as I wouldn't care for anything south of NYC. I'll be there no matter what in 2010. Just an FYI that a few years back we contacted an Indian casino in Minnesota to possibly expand there and they had to turn us down because hosting a high-stakes fantasy event was not in the legal area of their casino license. They are licensed to provide certain games and even though they were not getting a take on this, it gave the perception of gambling in an area they were unlicensed to host.

We have not asked Foxwoods or Mohegan if that is the case with them, but it's just an example of what we've experienced in the past. And trust me, the guy in Minnesota loved our live event and wanted to host this, but legal advised him that it wasn't worth the potential hassle they could get from the state's licensing commission.

Dirt Dogs · Post by **Dirt Dogs** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:17 am

Boston would be a great location, and after we win the world series in 09 it would only be fitting.

I do not like the idea of going to New Jersey for the drafts, but CT, RI or Boston would be ideal.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:18 am

Originally posted by CC's Desperados:

Greg-

Would either of the new ballparks in New York have the right space? Do you think they would have any interest in holding an event at their field? No, I don't believe MLB would cooperate in hosting our drafts at all. You can imagine why for a couple of reasons that involve the fantasy baseball market.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:21 am

Originally posted by Dirt Dogs:

Boston would be a great location, and after we win the world series in 09 it would only be fitting.

I do not like the idea of going to New Jersey for the drafts, but CT, RI or Boston would be ideal. The one thing that I will say about this discussion we've had in the past is that there are strong opinions about Atlantic City one way or the other. I know that we will not get anything close to a consensus on Atlantic City in this discussion. Some folks wouldn't make the travel, while others like the idea of a weekend there with other options to partake in.

I wouldn't do anything to hurt our attendance on the East Coast, but right now I don't see anything that works perfectly for everyone, including Manhattan.

huskyfan88 · Post by **huskyfan88** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:29 am

Greg, I think you would get a good turnout at Foxwoods.

The Mighty Men · Post by **The Mighty Men** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:35 am

Originally posted by RobG:

Greg, I have done Vegas, Orlando and Chicago and from a total experience there is no doubt Vegas is the winner, but it costs me way more than the entry fee to spend the weekend there. I did Chicago this year and loved that the airport was so close to the Stephens Center. I was able to fly in that morning and fly out right after the draft...that was a plus. My guess for the East Coast is that an airport being local would be a plus, which isn't the case with Moheghan or Foxwoods. Rob is correct about the Stephens Center being well located for those who fly and drive in. The draft rooms are nice as well, especially compared to the big barn we drafted in for NFFC last year.

The Marriot in Oak Brook is my favorite location of the NFFC/NFBC locations in Chicago so far because of the many great restaurants nearby, parking is free, and the rooms work out well.

Sebadiah23 · Post by **Sebadiah23** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:35 am

I vote for Atlantic City.

Glenneration X · Post by **Glenneration X** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:40 am

Long Island would be a lot less expensive and isn't too far from NYC.....it also has plenty of nearby airports so people can fly in or the LIRR if people from the city have to get there.

Hotels are also less expensive out here....and parking.

Sebadiah23 · Post by **Sebadiah23** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:42 am

It is way more centralized compared to Massachusetts. Honestly, the driving and parking in New York is intimidating to non-city people, which is probably why the contestants are so local. If I wasn't a complete utter fantasy junkie I would shy away from the New York venue. In contrast, everyone and their grandmother has been to Atlantic City. I'm in Philadelphia so its a long trip either way, just giving my opinion.

-Craig

SlimShady · Post by **SlimShady** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:46 am

Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun would be awesome and the airport in Providence and Hartford is not too far!

Otherwise, I believe White Plains/Westchester is much cheaper than NYC with the airports even closer than NYC. Definitely not AC. Been there, done that. Might as well just do it in Philly, at that point. AC is a HORRIBLE area other than the casino strip and there are some of us who would like to stay away from the casinos if we are staying for the entire weekend. The entry fee is gambling enough to me. At that point, I will fly to Vegas.

eddiejag · Post by **eddiejag** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:39 am

Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun would be perfect.The East Coast would finally have its own Vegas.We could gamble and the prices cant be as bad as Manhatten.

Plus the NEW YORK traffic is always a nightmare,last year we took a wrong way and just made it.Then 2 years ago they shut down a street and Deterra just left his car on a sidewalk and ran to the Hilton,he arrived when pick 9 was up and he had 11 talk about just makin it.NY IS always busy and a hassle if you go the wrong way.Then the time i drove up in my work van and it had racks nobody would let me park,it took me about 12 different garages and finally i begged a guy that it would fit and gave him 50 bucks on top of the fee.Not to mention the 400 a night , great memories.

bigdaddyk · Post by **bigdaddyk** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:55 am

Greg have you considered the hotels around Laguardia or Kennedy airports?They have easy highway access and are not too far from public transportation.Otherwise i would make the drive to Foxwoods or Mohegan.The Sheraton towers are a 30 minute subway ride from me and i would still rather draft someplace else than Manhattan.

The Franchise · Post by **The Franchise** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 12:04 pm

Just me adding my 2 cents: I think location and cost wise, Fishkill, NY would be a great place to hold the draft. About an hour north of the City.

1. There is a small airport about 15 min away that Jet Blue flies out of.

2. Centrally located around 2 major high ways NY 87/ 84

3. I would think Hotel expenses would literally be cut in half. In today's economy that's big for a lot of people.

FYI: This will be my 1st year in the NFFC. I would pretty much go anywhere near NY.

edelman24 · Post by **edelman24** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 12:07 pm

NO matter what you decide here it's going to affect people one way or another. I live in Northern New Jersey so obviously NYC is fine with me, and AC would be fine with me as well since I can get a free room anytime I want. I can't see doing Foxwoods or Mohegan as from my past experience trying to go up there on a weekend the rooms are just as expensive as NYC maybe a little less.

The only venue that would get me to consider doing an entire weekend would be AC, but I think the main factor here is determining where your NYC base is traveling from if most of them are from NJ and NYC then I don't think moving North makes sense, but that's only my opinion and everyone's im sure will be different.

Shandler moved the HQ Forum to the Marriot in Saddle Brook, NJ which is 10 mins from the GW and near every major highway in the state, I'm sure its much cheaper but it doesn't have the glamour of the other locations. In the end is all about what you are looking to provide in order to entice someone to come to a live draft..

Ryan C · Post by **Ryan C** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 12:16 pm

I live in Manhattan- so the draft was great for me. I walked to and from.

The obvious alternatives have been mentioned and if I had to choose between AC and foxwoods/mohegan sun I would choose the latter.

That being said I will throw out an unsexy but sensible choice: New Brunswick, NJ

Greg - check out the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick. It is a gorgeous hotel with more than ample event space for the NFBC. It is about equal distance from NY and PHIL, so perhaps you could draw some people from there since it seems like the NY market isn't growing much. Easy to get to by car, train, bus and a quick cab ride from Newark airport.

It is a college town, Rutgers for those who don't know, so there is enough nightlife in town. If you were to go to NJ - why not something like this instead of the craphole that is AC.

I actually think the NFBC should avoid another casino setting.

It would only dilute Vegas. If that is what you desire in addition to your drafting, then you go to the NFBC party in Vegas - period. There is something to be said for having it remain as the "Hot" venue of choice.

So New Brunswick isn't sexy - but it could be just the right choice to grow your East Coast business.

Ryan C · Post by **Ryan C** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 12:16 pm

[ April 14, 2009, 06:32 PM: Message edited by: Ryan Carey ]

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 12:17 pm

Originally posted by edelman24:

Shandler moved the HQ Forum to the Marriot in Saddle Brook, NJ which is 10 mins from the GW and near every major highway in the state, I'm sure its much cheaper but it doesn't have the glamour of the other locations. I believe the Shandler Forum used to be at the Wyndham Hotel by LaGuardia Ariport -- not a lot of panache' or grandeur there, either

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 12:23 pm

Is it safe to assume that these are the possible options?

1. Boston

2. Mohegan Sun/Foxwoods

3. Manhattan

4. NYC Metro Area, including outer boroughs, Long Island, Northern Jersey and Westchester

5. Atlantic City

Sebadiah23 · Post by **Sebadiah23** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 1:46 pm

If the goal is to not lose anyone, I'd do an email survey where you would rank your preferences. Order by how likely you would return if the draft was located in X.