Fanball

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 10:48 am

Originally posted by ToddZ:

Though I am not sure I would want to be the one guarding Greg this week during his lunchtime pickup hoops game. You are so right, Lord Zola!! I think my opponents today had one chipped tooth, one bloody forearm and one good kick to the nuts!!

I felt like the Broadstreet Bullies in sneakers today.

If anyone knows me, they know I'm an optimist. Let's see how this plays out.

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 10:51 am

Originally posted by Gekko:

quote:Originally posted by Chest Rockwell:

to me plan b is whatever Greg does. we have a winner [/QUOTE]Gekko pre-Fanball:

Gekko today:

Glenneration X · Post by **Glenneration X** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 10:56 am

It's a little sad to think this might be it. I haven't been part of the experience very long, but since finding the NFBC/NFFC I always wished I had found it a bit sooner and now only hope that it'll be around a bit longer.

Whatever happens, I want to wish the best to some great people at the NFBC/NFFC in Greg, Tom, Geoff, Charlie, Seth, and others whose concerns are likely somewhat greater than mine right now.

There will always be other contests, other games, other hobbies. Thing is, this sure is a damn good one.

Glenn

Jim Christie · Post by **Jim Christie** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 12:27 pm

I have been playing CDM/Fanball since 2000; Many of the friends I have made there have played NFBC. CDM was a nice, honest (up front) reputable company that ran a fine product. The Diamond Challenge use to attract over 15,000 players; those numbers have decreased over the years. You could call St. Louis and be treated to GREAT customer service. That basically changed when Carol left. These decisions just don't happen out of nowhere on 1/6/11. I had a feeling something was up when there are no sign ups as of 1/6/11.

I love the Diamond Challenge as well as the Points Challenge. I would truly miss the games if indeed they are done. That said, I have really enjoyed NFBC and have met many more fine people. What a shame is that goes away.

I just wish the powers that be could just man up and tell it like it is. But hey, this is how the business world operates. In the end, the customer always gets it up the ass!!!!!

Potter · Post by **Potter** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 12:36 pm

Jim,

Petro want's to know the url for the company that promises what you closed your post with.

Hells Satans · Post by **Hells Satans** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 12:54 pm

Originally posted by Chest Rockwell:

quote:Originally posted by Paperboys:

quote:Originally posted by Chest Rockwell:

quote:Originally posted by Paperboys:

I know this may not be the appropriate time or place, but this potentially leaves many of us without a fantasy sports home.

What do we know about WCOFB? Are they a worthy alternative if things go south on the NFBC? Can someone speak for their reliability?

Don't get me wrong, Greg and Tom will get my business if at all possible, but it seems we should all be lining up Plan B. Legit question- to me plan b is whatever Greg does. Iola Wisconsin is not exactly a hot bed of economic activity. These gentleman need to work and they need to know a loyal customer base will follow them. [/QUOTE]No doubt. And count me as one of the one's that will follow them. But a simple glance at the calendar makes a new 2011 baseball venture highly unlikely.

I can't bare to think of a baseball season without fantasy baseball. [/QUOTE]I think the frills might go away a bit. If they can find locations, a back end stats provider, and link up with MDC they can make it happen. [/QUOTE]Agree. I don't think we should push the panic button yet. There's time to make the still the NFBC happen. I would guess a plan would need to be in place by the Super Bowl.

Winston's Empire · Post by **Winston's Empire** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 12:56 pm

Greg - I assume we should just keep our slow drafts going with the optimism of Cubs Fan on Opening Day?

DiamondKing · Post by **DiamondKing** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 1:00 pm

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

quote:Originally posted by ToddZ:

Though I am not sure I would want to be the one guarding Greg this week during his lunchtime pickup hoops game. You are so right, Lord Zola!! I think my opponents today had one chipped tooth, one bloody forearm and one good kick to the nuts!!

I felt like the Broadstreet Bullies in sneakers today.

If anyone knows me, they know I'm an optimist. Let's see how this plays out. [/QUOTE]Now we all know who Obama was going up against a few weeks ago.

Purple Helmets · Post by **Purple Helmets** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 1:06 pm

Here's the story...

http://www.fantasysportsbusiness.com/wo ... e-fanball/

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 1:19 pm

Originally posted by WINSTON'S EMPIRE:

Greg - I assume we should just keep our slow drafts going with the optimism of Cubs Fan on Opening Day? Absolutely. I haven't heard any differently and we'll see what decisions are made.

Sebadiah23 · Post by **Sebadiah23** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 1:26 pm

NFBC and CDM has thousands of people in the "loyal customer for life" category that it would be a shame to lose. Thousands.

-Craig

Sack · Post by **Sack** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 2:38 pm

Kevin: Thanks for sharing the link. See you in March, going to try and stay positive. Greg will shoot straight when he knows something and is allowed to communicate. I'm sure he knows that those that started with him will follow his lead. He has earned our trust and deserves our loyalty. KM

[ January 06, 2011, 08:42 PM: Message edited by: Sack ]

Vander · Post by **Vander** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 2:46 pm

Greg it looks like nobody knows where this is going now. First, thanks for making the nfbc happen. It's been great fun and maybe it will continue, but in case it doesn't, I hope you and all the others behind the scenes quickly find other employment you will enjoy (not to mention pay the bills). Lastly if this does die, if you ever decide to reserect it in the same form or some other form, as stated by others, or in baseball vernacular if you build it they will come. People will follow you if you decide on a similar venture. If not, thanks again and best of luck to all.

freddiezee · Post by **freddiezee** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 2:55 pm

I would be very surprised if the NFBC didn't exist on some level this year. Greg and Tom are survivors and they have a ton of loyal patrons just waiting to join any game they offer. It took them several years to build up this following and I don't see them letting it go. I believe that at the very least there will be satellites and a main event. That's just my personal prediction but I just can't see this thing folding while there are a lot of people just waiting to hand over their money to be a part of it. Also, keeping the NFBC alive is a necessary step to keeping the NFFC alive. Each one is great advertising for the other.

Zazie · Post by **Zazie** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 3:00 pm

Thanks for posting the link, which was somewhat informative. But there's a lot we don't know yet, so I for one will try to be patient.

I would have expected Liberty to try to spin off their no-longer-wanted business that they paid money to acquire, and try to sell it rather than just shut it down, so there has to be more to the story. I hope there's more to the story.

CC's Desperados · Post by **CC's Desperados** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 3:12 pm

Originally posted by Zazie:

Thanks for posting the link, which was somewhat informative. But there's a lot we don't know yet, so I for one will try to be patient.

I would have expected Liberty to try to spin off their no-longer-wanted business that they paid money to acquire, and try to sell it rather than just shut it down, so there has to be more to the story. I hope there's more to the story. It has value to one person and why would someone buy it when you can open up a store across the street for a lot less money.

RichV · Post by **RichV** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 3:46 pm

Originally posted by CC's Desperados:

quote:Originally posted by Zazie:

Thanks for posting the link, which was somewhat informative. But there's a lot we don't know yet, so I for one will try to be patient.

I would have expected Liberty to try to spin off their no-longer-wanted business that they paid money to acquire, and try to sell it rather than just shut it down, so there has to be more to the story. I hope there's more to the story. It has value to one person and why would someone buy it when you can open up a store across the street for a lot less money. [/QUOTE]When they open that "Diamond Challenge" store across the street, I hope someone lets me know. Man, I'm gonna miss that game. What's it been, 20-21 years?? From the old days of calling in weekly moves and waiting for results from the past week in the mail, to the present where people are pissed if there live stats aren't updated every minute, it's been one hell of a ride. Personally, to not have a DC team, or the BBS to shoot the breeze on is gonna take some getting used to....A LOT of getting used to.

Zazie · Post by **Zazie** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 5:38 pm

Originally posted by CC's Desperados:

quote:Originally posted by Zazie:

Thanks for posting the link, which was somewhat informative. But there's a lot we don't know yet, so I for one will try to be patient.

I would have expected Liberty to try to spin off their no-longer-wanted business that they paid money to acquire, and try to sell it rather than just shut it down, so there has to be more to the story. I hope there's more to the story. It has value to one person and why would someone buy it when you can open up a store across the street for a lot less money. [/QUOTE]You know more about this than I do, so I'm not arguing. I would have thought the name brought with it some goodwill and trust, as long as whoever bought it had the good sense to hire the obvious suspects to run it. Or if the obvious suspect was the one to buy it. Whoever opens up a store across the street has to persuade people their money is safe.

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 5:41 pm

Fanball, goodwill...yep, a little throw up at the back of the throat...

CC's Desperados · Post by **CC's Desperados** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 5:50 pm

Originally posted by Zazie:

quote:Originally posted by CC's Desperados:

quote:Originally posted by Zazie:

Thanks for posting the link, which was somewhat informative. But there's a lot we don't know yet, so I for one will try to be patient.

I would have expected Liberty to try to spin off their no-longer-wanted business that they paid money to acquire, and try to sell it rather than just shut it down, so there has to be more to the story. I hope there's more to the story. It has value to one person and why would someone buy it when you can open up a store across the street for a lot less money. [/QUOTE]You know more about this than I do, so I'm not arguing. I would have thought the name brought with it some goodwill and trust, as long as whoever bought it had the good sense to hire the obvious suspects to run it. Or if the obvious suspect was the one to buy it. Whoever opens up a store across the street has to persuade people their money is safe. [/QUOTE]In this case, I don't think the money was the problem and the NFBC was a casualty of something not related to it.

It might have more good will if the back end provider was included. I can't imagine that ever happening.

We have a great chef and plenty of customers ready to buy the food, but we need a kitchen and someone to deliver the food. Unfortunately there aren't many options out there unless someone can find the keys to the old Ferrari.

[ January 07, 2011, 08:42 AM: Message edited by: CC's Desperados ]

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 4:46 am

Originally posted by CC's Desperados:

quote:Originally posted by Zazie:

quote:Originally posted by CC's Desperados:

quote:Originally posted by Zazie:

Thanks for posting the link, which was somewhat informative. But there's a lot we don't know yet, so I for one will try to be patient.

I would have expected Liberty to try to spin off their no-longer-wanted business that they paid money to acquire, and try to sell it rather than just shut it down, so there has to be more to the story. I hope there's more to the story. It has value to one person and why would someone buy it when you can open up a store across the street for a lot less money. [/QUOTE]You know more about this than I do, so I'm not arguing. I would have thought the name brought with it some goodwill and trust, as long as whoever bought it had the good sense to hire the obvious suspects to run it. Or if the obvious suspect was the one to buy it. Whoever opens up a store across the street has to persuade people their money is safe. [/QUOTE]In this case, I don't think the money was the problem and the NFBC was a casualty of something not related to it.

It might have more good will if the back end provider was included. I can't imagine that ever happening.

We have a great chef and plenty of customers ready to buy the food, but we need a kitchen and someone to deliver the food. Unfortunately there aren't many options out there unless someone can find the keys to the old Ferrari. [/QUOTE]I know a bar that wanted to serve food, except that they had no kitchen and no money to put one in. So they put a gas grill out back and soon became famous for having the best barbecue-type food around.

To drop the metaphor, even if Liberty doesn't auction off pieces of their product for whatever they can get (which seems like the only sensible thing to do to me), then you still have two guys out of a job who know exactly how to run the business, and they just happen to have a die-hard clientelle including quite a few filthy rich people. And if you like, they have plans already in place for a 2011 contest. Something can't happen there, really?

[ January 07, 2011, 10:47 AM: Message edited by: bjoak ]

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 4:56 am

When I wrote that post I didn't even realize people were already talking about the same thing in another thread.

CC's Desperados · Post by **CC's Desperados** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 5:06 am

Bjoak-

If they doesn't sell the asset, wouldn't they retain the right to the game? I don't the answer to any of this, but it seems like it could get sticky.

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 5:11 am

They don't own fantasy baseball or us, Shawn.

They could even keep the NFBC name, it wouldn't do them much good without the customer base.

Our star is tied to Greg. Not Liberty, and especially not Fanball.

Sure, lawyers will work it out. But for Liberty, it's like holding water with a fist.

CC's Desperados · Post by **CC's Desperados** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 5:13 am

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

They don't own fantasy baseball or us, Shawn.

They could even keep the NFBC name, it wouldn't do them much good without the customer base.

Our star is tied to Greg. Not Liberty, and especially not Fanball.

Sure, lawyers will work it out. But for Liberty, it's like holding water with a fist. They own the rules of the game.