79 Teams Now In The 2nd Annual NFBC Champions League Qualifier

[Greg Ambrosius]

There are very few rollouts of a new contest that started as successfully as the NFBC Champions League Qualifier Championship did last year. That's because we had a great vision of a contest from our great customers and a perfect marketing director in Toby Guevin.

The Champions League Qualifier was created and designed by our own players. I can't take any credit for this. Tom can't take any credit for this. Geoff can't take any credit for this.

This one belongs to YOU because it was created by many of our die-hard NFBC players. And then you saw how Toby promoted it on social media and how soon everyone wanted to be a part of it. We finished with 201 participants and now have 15 finalists who will be competing in Las Vegas on Friday, March 21st in an auction format for the $50,000+ prize pool. It was an amazing success and I think it will grow even bigger in 2025.

This will be the signup thread for this contest and I'll update it as we add players throughout the off-season. Remember that 100 percent of the sidepot goes into next year's Championship League, so one of you could win $30,000 or more in 2026 from a $250 sidepot.

Okay, so let's refresh everyone of what the CLQ is. I've revived this post from last year because Toby can explain the concept better than I can. Basically, the NFBC Champions League is an add-on to contests you are already playing. It doesn't make you buy more teams to compete, you just have to agree to pay a "sidepot" if you will on three of your teams in three different contests for a chance to become the 2026 NFBC Champions League champion. It's as easy as that.

Toby Guevin helped design this concept with several other NFBC players and he wrote the concept letter. This comes directly from Toby and it should summarize what the NFBC Champions League is all about. Here you go:

By Toby Guevin
The NFBC is known across fantasy baseball circles as the place where the best fantasy baseball players go to ply their craft. As more and more people look to the NFBC as the place where the best fantasy baseball players go to play, the NFBC is taking fantasy baseball to the next level by creating a single league where the best players, based only on performance–play in a high-profile, high stakes league that serves as the pinnacle of Rotisserie baseball.

That league is The NFBC Champions League.

How does it work?

The NFBC offers a “Champions League Package,” which is a stand alone package purchased by customers and includes three leagues ($1750 Main Event, $350 Online Championship, $150 Draft Champions, and a $250 Champions League Fee) for $2,500. Only one Champions League Package can be purchased per player to ensure players can’t qualify for The Champions League purely through volume.

The $250 Champions League Fee would go toward prizes for the following year’s Champions League.

The Champions League Qualifier teams play in the usual overalls for those events, but the teams purchased through the Champions League Package are identified as “Champions League Qualifier (CLQ)” teams. They show up on your My Teams page as, for example, Main Event - CLQ.

These Champions League Qualifier teams, in addition to participating in the usual overalls (i.e. a Main Event Champions League Qualifier team could still win the Main Event overall), would have a separate overall standing system (in the same way as current sidepot contests do). The overall points for each player in the Champions League Qualifiers in all three formats are aggregated and the top 15 players in points in the Champions League Qualifier overall competition participate in The Champions League the following year. There wouldn’t be a Champions League in Year 1, but there would be in every subsequent year.

These 15 players would have earned their seat at the table in a high profile, ultra competitive league with high stakes.

The Champions League would be a 15-team auction, offering everyone an equal chance to get every player and a range of strategies to employ.

The prize pool in The Champions League depends on the number of players participating in qualifiers. Last year, 149 NFBC players had at least one Main Event, Online Championship and Draft Champions league entry. At 149 players, The Champions League prize pool would be $37,250 with 60% going to first ($22,350), 30% to second ($11,175) and 10% to third ($3,725). At 250 players, the prize pool would be $62,500 with a $37,500/$18,750/$6250 split. The prizes could also be supplemented by advertisers who are interested in attaching their name to the highest profile fantasy baseball tournament in the world.

Beginning in Year 3, the previous year’s champion would automatically qualify for the following year’s Champions League, with the top 14 in the Champions League Qualifier overall standings joining the champion in the next season’s Champions League.

The Champions League has no buy-in (outside of the $250 Champions League Fee). Qualification is entirely based on last year’s performance, with the incentive the chance to win a huge prize for those who are good enough to qualify.

The Champions League draft is one of the last events in Las Vegas. Players would be required to attend in-person to participate.

The winner of the Champions League, in addition to the prizes, is crowned the Champions League Winner and best fantasy baseball player in the world for that year.

Why do we need a Champions League?

The NFBC is full of competitive fantasy baseball players who are working continuously to be the best at their craft, putting a lot of time, energy and money into the game and playing in the best leagues. Some players are more interested in the fun and social aspects of the game, but everyone is playing to do their best and hopefully cash or win their leagues. None of this changes with a Champions League.

Right now there is a vacuum of a single league for people who love the game of fantasy baseball to focus their attention on. It used to be that expert leagues filled this vacuum, but with the NFBC increasing in popularity, and expert leagues being based on an affiliation with a fantasy baseball community instead of performance, The Champions League can fill this vacuum.

The $2500 is a high threshold for entry, but for people already playing in these leagues, the $250 fee provides the opportunity to participate in a stand-alone high stakes league at minimal additional cost.

In addition to the financial prize, the Champions League would offer virtually unparalleled recognition for the winner, as someone who not only qualified for The Champions League through a grueling process the season before, but went toe-to-toe with the best players to take down the crown. This chance at glory will drive interest in playing and interest in the competition itself.

Building the Fantasy Baseball Community

Social media and podcasting has allowed communities like fantasy baseball to flourish, allowing some of the sharpest minds and dynamic personalities of the game to increase in visibility. The Champions League would provide the perfect venue and singular league to introduce the broader fantasy baseball community (of which the NFBC is just a small fraction) to these players.

Phil Dussault is known as The Robot: Let’s introduce the world to an analytical approach to fantasy baseball that is measured but effective.

Jason Duponte’s auction antics and anti-Yankee bias is well-known in the NFBC. Let’s introduce the broader fantasy baseball community to his booming voice in auctions. This also gives those players (if they want), the opportunity to build a network of supporters, start a Patreon or access promotional opportunities.

The previous year’s Main Event winner, Online Championship Winner and Draft Champions winner (assuming they qualify) competing against each other the following year.

Below are some examples of the type of media, advertising and promotional opportunities that could be connected to fantasy baseball:
Official sponsors of the Champions League who want to attach their name/brand to the best fantasy baseball league in the world while contributing to the prize pool.

An official podcast of the Champions League that interviews all 15 players in the lead up to the draft about their philosophy, strategy and thoughts on the upcoming draft and league.

Individual sponsorship opportunities for players who compete. X Player is sponsored by a fantasy baseball content site (as an example) and promotes their draft guide as an important part of their fantasy baseball preparations.

The Champions League draft streamed live with players mic’ed and interviewed in front of a live audience.

Incredible narratives of the player who wins their $50 home league who wants to be the best in fantasy baseball. They take the winnings and enter an OC, wins their league and finish in the overall. The following year they take those winnings and purchase a Champions League Package, finishing in the top 15 and earning a seat at the table for a large cash prize, which all started with a $50 home league and desire to be the best in fantasy baseball. This will then inspire others to try to take the same path, if they think they can be the best.

Do you think you can be the best?

Let’s find out.


Well done Toby. I couldn't have explained this better myself. Now, who's game for a three-pack and a chance to join The NFBC Champions League? Damn, great idea and another great opportunity to prove you are among the best players in the entire fantasy baseball community. Game On!!!

ONE FINAL NOTE: While this is a contest with one entry per person, these are national contests that allow co-managers to be on their teams. First and foremost is winning these national championships for each of you and we've always allowed co-managers on Main Event, OC and DC teams. Heck, some people even have different co-managers for different teams. However, ONLY ONE PERSON is allowed at the NFBC League Champions Qualifier Final Auction Table in 2026 and ONLY ONE PERSON can win the prize money and the title. Let's make that perfectly clear. Thanks.

Okay, here's the current signup list for the 2nd annual CLQ Championship:

2025 NFBC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFER:
1. Toby Guevin
2. Andrew Sullivan
3. Dominic Rello
4. Dustin Wagner
5. Steven Weimer
6. Josh Pettersen
7. Robert DiPietro
8. Rey Diaz
9. Michael Mager
10. Ryan Beck
11. Chris Uram
12. Dan Thompson
13. Eric Albright
14. Matt Hurley
15. Jason Weir
16. Fred Studier
17. Anthony Gialde
18. Ryan Rufe
19. Michael Brophy
20. Vlad Sedler
21. Philippe Dussault
22. Jason Anthony
23. Brennan Logue
24. James Anderson
25. Scott Gilbert
26. Russell Withers
27. Jeffrey Zimmerman
28. David Bone
29. Doug Gruber
30. Clark Olson
31. Dustin McComas
32. ANDREW DENINNO
33. Gregg Martin
34. Dave Shovein
35. David Miller
36. TIMOTHY BUETHE
37. Mike Massotto
38. Michael Armstrong
39. James Maples
40. Mark Gannon
41. Brian Edwards
42. Daniel Baker
43. John Doering
44. SPENCER FARMERY
45. Tom Rodriguez
46. Travis Sawchik
47. Adam Baker
48. Sam Hatten
49. Shawn Childs
50. Robert Osgood
51. Christopher Torres
52. Matt Leahy
53. Tim Sansome
54. Mike Ballschmiede
55. Ian Peterson
56. Bob Catsiroumpas
57. Todd Hoppe
58. John Pausma
59. Aaron Jones
60. Jonathan Vriesema
61. Todd Whitestone
62. Tim Lilly
63. Michael Hughes
64. Stephen Goodwin
65. Dan Iverson
66. Michael O'Brien
67. Harry FACIANE
68. Ian Hubbard
69. Chas Nelson
70. Danny Bronski
71. Kellen Arneson
72. RICHARD ZITO
73. Bradley Beckman
74. Rick Thomas
75. Todd Ciolek
76. Matt Poole
77. Jason Wanic
78. Kyle Savage
79. Scott Slezak

[Greg Ambrosius]

Just a reminder that the NFBC Champions League Qualifier returns in 2025 and 100 percent of the sidepot money will be paid to the Top 3 finishers in the CLQ Championship in 2026. That's right, you compete all year long to become one of the Top 15 finishers in the CLQ Championship and then those 15 players compete in Las Vegas in 2026 in an auction league format for all of the prize money. It's a cool concept.

We already have 35 entrants signed up and ready to go in 2025 after reaching a total of 201 participants during the debut season. This should be a fun, fun second season of the CLQ, so good luck everyone.

You can find this CLQ Championship at the top of Special Packages under Registration. Cost is $2,550 this year and includes 1 Main Event entry, 1 Rotowire Online Championship entry, 1 Draft Champions entry and the $250 sidepot. Thanks all and enjoy.

[Greg Ambrosius]

We now have 40 unique owners signed up for the 2025 NFBC Champions League Qualifier Championship. That's a good start this early in the year as I think we can top last year's total of 201 teams. Remember that you are playing for a spot in the 2026 Live Auction as the Top 15 teams in the CLQ this year qualify for a Las Vegas Auction League, where we'll pay the Top 3 finishers.

This year, 15 owners are playing for a $30,000 grand prize as we'll pay $50,000+ to the Top 3 finishers. We'll host this live auction on Friday, March 21st at 4 pm PT at Park MGM in Las Vegas and we'll even have a viewing ballroom with a live podcast for people to watch live in Las Vegas. Should be a great spectacle and we'll treat these 15 owners in a special, unique way. Come and join us for this fun CLQ Championship in Las Vegas and then join the 2025 NFBC CLQ and earn a spot at the live auction table in 2026. Good luck everyone.

[Greg Ambrosius]

50+ Teams are now entered in the Second Annual NFBC Champions Qualifier League. What are you waiting for? Dominate in three contests you're already planning on playing in and you could turn that $250 sidepot entry into a $30,000+ prize in 2026!!!

Keep the signups coming and we could top last year's total of 201 entrants. Thanks all and enjoy.

[Greg Ambrosius]

We're now at 75 teams for the second annual NFBC Champions League Qualifier Championship. Remember, you're just using three teams you're probably planning on competing in anyway -- 1 NFBC Main Event, 1 Rotowire OC, 1 $150 Draft Champions -- and then adding $250 to the sidepot. This March, 15 CLQ finalists will be competing for a pot of over $50,000 with the CLQ champion earning $30,000!!!

Let's top last year's 200 teams and compete for an even bigger pot in March of 2026. The CLQ can be found under Special Packages on Registration and it's the first pulldown on that link. Total cost is $2,550 and you could win FOUR national championships if all falls right!!! Good luck all and let's keep the signups rolling for this contest.

[Greg Ambrosius]

We're now at 79 teams for the second annual CLQ. We're closing in on $20,000 in the sidepot with a goal of topping last year's $50,000 with 201 players. Look for this contest under Special Packages and it's the first one on the list. Thanks all and good luck.