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I've received several emails this past week asking about the dates and locations for the 2011 NFBC. Fortunately, we have most of our plans in place for 2011 and will be ready to roll out the 8th season of the NFBC earlier than last year. Let's GET IT ON!!



We will definitely host two weekends of drafts again this year in three regions of the country. The first weekend will be:



March 18-20:

Las Vegas (still working on a venue)

Atlantic City (Bally's is possible again)

St. Louis (Pujols' 5 Restaurant)

Online (Main Event)



We will have the main event on Saturday at 1 pm ET/Noon CT/10 am PT. We will have Live Double Plays and Auction Championships on Friday and Sunday and a Super League and an Ultimate Draft League scheduled for Sunday, March 20th. We did not offer the main event online last year during the first weekend but will offer that this year as several owners have stated they would like to do two main events but can't travel twice in one year. This option will solve that problem.



The second weekend will be:



March 25-27:

Las Vegas (venue still being negotiated)

New York City (not finalized yet)

Chicago (still working on this)

Online Main Event



Same schedule with Main Events on Saturday, March 26, Auctions and Live Double plays on Friday and Sunday, along with Diamond League, Ultimate Auction League and Supers on Sunday, March 27. We likely will hold a Super League again on Saturday night, March 26.



More details to come, but this is a start.

Okay, we're working hard to get everything in place for 2011 and we believe we'll be able to unveil the updated web site in the next 4-6 weeks. We're going to start taking tentative signups before the site is live, so look for that announcement soon. Our defending champion has already given me his verbal commitment for two main events and their locations, so we'll start with THE CHAMP's signup and go from there.



As I mentioned above, we will again have two weekends of drafts for the Main Events. The Live Double Play at $500 per team will also return, as will the Online Double Play. The Auction Championship will return as well, along with the Super, Ultimate and Diamond Leagues. Satellite leagues will not only return but we will expand them to include 12-team leagues.



And I have a plan in place to expand on our Slow Drafts and to create a National Slow Draft Draft Champions Championship (say that fast). We will increase all 45-round DC Slow Drafts by $25 and use that to create the overall prize pool. I am basing the overall prize pool on 20, 15-team DC Slow Draft leagues and we'll expand the pool beyond that as stated in the rules. Look for more details there, but the goal is to get the draft software live by early November and begin that portion of the contest then. That means Slow Drafts will now be $150 and $375.



I have also proposed to increase the NFBC Main Event to $1,400 this year and to give back most of that in league prizes. We started the NFBC in 2004 with a $1,250 entry fee and have raised it only $50 in seven seasons. Other contests have gone much higher than us through the years and have surpassed our league payouts and I believe the time is right for us to do the same thing.



Here are our planed price points for 2011:



NFBC Main Event - $1,400 per team

NFBC Auction Championship - $850 per team

NFBC Live Double Play - $500 per team

NFBC Online Championship - $350 per team

NFBC Slow Draft - $375 (needed to be raised $50 to cover the $25 for overall prizes and for increase of three free entries in NFBC Main Event)



NFBC Slow Draft: $150 to cover overall prize pool



The rest stays the same: Diamond at $10,000, Ultimate at $5,000, Super at $2,500 and Satellite Leagues at $1,000, $500, $250 and $125.



In the Main Event, I am proposing league prizes of $5,600, $2,800 and $1,400, the highest we've ever had. The grand prize remains at $100,000 and we are only budgeting for 390 teams this year even though we had 435 this year. If we do go beyond 390 teams this year, the added prize money will go towards the overall prizes because I like our league payout now where it is. So I think we do have a shot at increasing the overall prizes this year, but we'd be happy with 390 and move on. So don't delay this year if you want to compete.



I'll have more details on co-manager fees and Events Fees and multiple entry specials and all of that shortly. Most of that depends on the venues we select for 2011 and the costs involved. But I feel confident that we have some good host partners in place that can make all of this work out even with some of the slight increases in entry fees.



We are also going to be cautious with the number of teams we are planning for in 2011 and budget accordingly. Our goal is to sell out every event in 2011 and if we sell out early and don't expand beyond our numbers, that's fine. We learned that was the right thing to do in football, even though other contests went with unlimited teams. This isn't a lottery; we want you to have realistic chances of winning in each contest and thus we are going to plan accordingly. More details to come as we finalize this.



I hope this gets you excited for 2011. Again, look for more details soon and the 2011 NFBC Signup List. It's time to get this party started. We are awarding over $1.3 million in prizes this year and we'd love to top that number next year. So, do you think you have what it takes to win $100,000 next year? Let's find out. Good luck all.

Maybe I'm wrong (this is where my wife stops me and says, "No MAYBE'S about it!").

But, the satelites and leagues without an overall prize are starting to look more appealing than other leagues.

An extra $100 after tacking on an extra $100 last year for fees just seems like too much, too fast. And to see that only $1,000 of the extra $1,500 goes toward league prizes is a little disheartening as well.

In my mind, if Fanball had blown us out of the water with their work during the last season, I probably wouldn't be writing this post.

But, they didn't, so I am.



I am excited about the upcoming season. Just a little less so after reading the information.



[ October 06, 2010, 10:04 AM: Message edited by: DOUGHBOYS ]

I don't like replying to myself, sort of like cyber talking to myself, but I was wrong in my math.

Only $700 of the $1500 gets applied to league prizes.

Super Leagues in basketball get 90% payout, while less than half our added money goes back to league prizes?



Hmmmm.

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

And to see that only $1,000 of the extra $1,500 goes toward league prizes is a little disheartening as well.$1,000 of the $1,125 we are paying out is going to league prizes, leaving $125 from each increase going to the overall prizes. It also maintains the 4x, 2x, 1x payout structure the NFBC has had since 2006. Should we have given more to the league prizes Dan??



And if we can save you money on Events Fees this year will that be disheartening? Let's see if we can do that. Maybe we can't, but I'm trying.



But you are right, satellite leagues pay out 80%. Maybe that is the better option for folks. Everyone will have to make their decisions this year on all of the options we are offering.

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

I don't like replying to myself, sort of like cyber talking to myself, but I was wrong in my math.

Only $700 of the $1500 gets applied to league prizes.

Super Leagues in basketball get 90% payout, while less than half our added money goes back to league prizes?



Hmmmm. Not true Dan. The increased league prizes this year were at $5,200, $2,600 and $1,300 because we grew to 435 teams and used some of the additional prize money to increase first and second place league prizes and third and fourth overall prizes. This year our plan is based on 390 teams, so league prizes would again be $5,000, $2,500 and $1,300. You were correct originally: $1,000 of the additional $1,125 (75% payout) goes right back to league prizes in 2010.



I'm not sure what the Super League for basketball that drafts completely online without any live expenses has to do with the payouts of the NFBC Live Events in six cities. But yes, that payout percentage is higher and for obvious reasons.

Your info stated that we would have an increase of $100 in the classic.

Beyond league prizes, you were not specific on where the rest of that money is going.

If the Grand Prize remains at $100,000, is part of this increase going towards top 10 winners and beyond or in the Fanball pocketbook?



I did not read that fees would be decreased or eliminated. If so, that would not be disheartening, it would be heartening.

I re-read your posts and did not see the decreasing or elimination of fees mentioned.



[ October 06, 2010, 11:03 AM: Message edited by: DOUGHBOYS ]

Greg,

Can you make this simple for rockheads, such as myself, and go with another 435 anticipated for next year?

What happens to our $1500 that is additional for each league?

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

Greg,

Can you make this simple for rockheads, such as myself, and go with another 435 anticipated for next year?

What happens to our $1500 that is additional for each league? 435 was an exceptional year. We are budgeting for 390 this year and guaranteeing prizes based on that total Dan. That's $58,500 less. Now we may be able to get more than 390 in 2010, but the economy is still tough and some players won't return. So we'll guarantee based on 390 and like I said if go above that the additional prize money will go towards the overall prizes.



In answers to your other questions above, yes, it would go towards the overall prizes. Each league would have almost $6,000 in additional prize money to distribute there. Depending on how many leagues above 390 we could get would determine where the money would go. But right now I like our first through 10th prizes and I could see adding to the top and adding more teams to the bottom. Let's just see what the final number is in 2011 and make it work.



But I like the new league prizes and I like what we can do with the overall prizes. And I know that 390 is a good number. If the first weekend expands like I expect it to, we could top 390 and maybe even top 2010's total. That would be good for everyone.



I hope this makes better sense.

I get it

If we have 435 teams, there is a possibility of a $6,000 league prize etc...



390 teams?

Jupinka's antennae just went up....

Same $100,000, less competition...

If there was a "MUUUHAAAHAAA" graemlin, I'd click it

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

I get it

If we have 435 teams, there is a possibility of a $6,000 league prize etc...



390 teams?

Jupinka's antennae just went up....

Same $100,000, less competition...

If there was a "MUUUHAAAHAAA" graemlin, I'd click it

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

quote:Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

Greg,

Can you make this simple for rockheads, such as myself, and go with another 435 anticipated for next year?

What happens to our $1500 that is additional for each league? 435 was an exceptional year. We are budgeting for 390 this year and guaranteeing prizes based on that total Dan. That's $58,500 less. Now we may be able to get more than 390 in 2010, but the economy is still tough and some players won't return. So we'll guarantee based on 390 and like I said if go above that the additional prize money will go towards the overall prizes.



In answers to your other questions above, yes, it would go towards the overall prizes. Each league would have almost $6,000 in additional prize money to distribute there. Depending on how many leagues above 390 we could get would determine where the money would go. But right now I like our first through 10th prizes and I could see adding to the top and adding more teams to the bottom. Let's just see what the final number is in 2011 and make it work.



But I like the new league prizes and I like what we can do with the overall prizes. And I know that 390 is a good number. If the first weekend expands like I expect it to, we could top 390 and maybe even top 2010's total. That would be good for everyone.



I hope this makes better sense. [/QUOTE]So the overall prizes are staying the same as 2010, which was upgraded from 2009?



If that's the case, then the math almost works, leaving $750 to be disbursed. Maybe Fanball increases 5th place from $4K to $5K (granted taking a $250 hit) and leaves 4th place at the $7500 value it was increased to in 2010. All should be good then and we'll have nice round numbers for 1st through 5th. Just a suggestion.



Glenn



[ October 06, 2010, 12:40 PM: Message edited by: Glenneration X ]

Originally posted by Glenneration X:

quote:Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

[qb] [QUOTE]Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

[qb] Greg,

Can you make this simple for rockheads, such as myself, and go with another 435 anticipated for next year?

What happens to our $1500 that is additional for each league?So the overall prizes are staying the same as 2010, which was upgraded from 2009?



If that's the case, then the math almost works, leaving $750 to be disbursed. Maybe Fanball increases 5th place from $4K to $5K (granted taking a $250 hit) and leaves 4th place at the $7500 value it was increased to in 2010. All should be good then and we'll have nice round numbers for 1st through 5th. Just a suggestion.



Glenn [/QUOTE]Correct and in fact the overall prizes go up even further from 2010 with 45 fewer teams. That's why I'm saying if we hit 390 it's a great, great year for everyone. If demand exceeds 2010 and we decide to go to 435 or maybe even higher, then the overall prizes could follow suit very easily and we could reward more with more.



Here's my projected overall prizes for the Main Event at $1400 per team:



Overall

1st Place = $100,000.00

2nd Place = $20,000.00

3rd Place = $12,500.00

4th Place = $7,500.00

5th Place = $5,000.00

6th Place = $3,000.00

7th Place = $2,000.00

8th Place = $1,500.00

9th Place = $1,400.00

10th Place = $1,400.00

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

quote:Originally posted by Glenneration X:

quote:Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

[qb] [QUOTE]Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

[qb] Greg,

Can you make this simple for rockheads, such as myself, and go with another 435 anticipated for next year?

What happens to our $1500 that is additional for each league?So the overall prizes are staying the same as 2010, which was upgraded from 2009?



If that's the case, then the math almost works, leaving $750 to be disbursed. Maybe Fanball increases 5th place from $4K to $5K (granted taking a $250 hit) and leaves 4th place at the $7500 value it was increased to in 2010. All should be good then and we'll have nice round numbers for 1st through 5th. Just a suggestion.



Glenn [/QUOTE]Correct and in fact the overall prizes go up even further from 2010 with 45 fewer teams. That's why I'm saying if we hit 390 it's a great, great year for everyone. If demand exceeds 2010 and we decide to go to 435 or maybe even higher, then the overall prizes could follow suit very easily and we could reward more with more.



Here's my projected overall prizes for the Main Event at $1400 per team:



Overall

1st Place = $100,000.00

2nd Place = $20,000.00

3rd Place = $12,500.00

4th Place = $7,500.00

5th Place = $5,000.00

6th Place = $3,000.00

7th Place = $2,000.00

8th Place = $1,500.00

9th Place = $1,400.00

10th Place = $1,400.00 [/QUOTE]Again, I'm no expert in math. Still, if I'm adding up and dividing right (my head hurts ), we'll be getting a higher payout percentage than last year.



Again, if I'm right, thanks Greg.



Glenn

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

Maybe I'm wrong (this is where my wife stops me and says, "No MAYBE'S about it!").

But, the satelites and leagues without an overall prize are starting to look more appealing than other leagues.

An extra $100 after tacking on an extra $100 last year for fees just seems like too much, too fast. And to see that only $1,000 of the extra $1,500 goes toward league prizes is a little disheartening as well.

In my mind, if Fanball had blown us out of the water with their work during the last season, I probably wouldn't be writing this post.

But, they didn't, so I am.



I am excited about the upcoming season. Just a little less so after reading the information. Don't take this as a "I don't like this and will threaten not to play" post, which it is not. But for me, Dan's post covers exactly how I feel. I said five years ago that 100K was an awesome prize for 300 people but when the contest grows to 5 or 600 it will start to seem like a pretty lame carrot on a string to chase after. Add on the events fees and the rising cost of travel and it doesn't seem as worth it anymore. I am almost certain to stick to satellites this year.



If you were capping it at 390 or guarenteeing prizes for 500 I think the set-up would look better (though I just despise the events fee), but just saying we'll see what happens and give you the prize structure later doesn't excite me to want to join.



I am not really looking for an answer here or trying to put you in a defensive position. Just letting you know what an actual customer thinks. I am not necessarily looking for any kind of response.

Originally posted by bjoak:

quote:Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

Maybe I'm wrong (this is where my wife stops me and says, "No MAYBE'S about it!").

But, the satelites and leagues without an overall prize are starting to look more appealing than other leagues.

An extra $100 after tacking on an extra $100 last year for fees just seems like too much, too fast. And to see that only $1,000 of the extra $1,500 goes toward league prizes is a little disheartening as well.

In my mind, if Fanball had blown us out of the water with their work during the last season, I probably wouldn't be writing this post.

But, they didn't, so I am.



I am excited about the upcoming season. Just a little less so after reading the information. Don't take this as a "I don't like this and will threaten not to play" post, which it is not. But for me, Dan's post covers exactly how I feel. I said five years ago that 100K was an awesome prize for 300 people but when the contest grows to 5 or 600 it will start to seem like a pretty lame carrot on a string to chase after. Add on the events fees and the rising cost of travel and it doesn't seem as worth it anymore. I am almost certain to stick to satellites this year.



If you were capping it at 390 or guarenteeing prizes for 500 I think the set-up would look better (though I just despise the events fee), but just saying we'll see what happens and give you the prize structure later doesn't excite me to want to join.



I am not really looking for an answer here or trying to put you in a defensive position. Just letting you know what an actual customer thinks. I am not necessarily looking for any kind of response. [/QUOTE]No problem Brian. You limited your play to the Rookie Invitational last year, so you made up your mind long before this price increase and played somewhere else. We all make those decisions. Good luck in all your choices for 2011.



And nobody said we'd cap the prize at $100,000. We now can increase that and other overall prizes with each league past 390. I think folks will like that and realize that our success leads to their success. There won't be any lame prizes at 435 teams or above in the future. But we thank you for your points.

As I said in the last paragraph, I was looking to offer constructive feedback that would be taken as such.

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

[QUOTE] But right now I like our first through 10th prizes and I could see adding to the top and adding more teams to the bottom. I finished 13th and while it would have been nice to pick up some extra cash by "adding more teams to the bottom". I feel that the the top 10 is deep enougn. I would rather see the league winner go up with 50% of fees paid in league - up to 25% to Fanball and 25% to the overall. Something like 1, 2 and 4.5 times entry fee for league payoffs.

Originally posted by Head 2 Head:

quote:Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

[QUOTE] But right now I like our first through 10th prizes and I could see adding to the top and adding more teams to the bottom. I finished 13th and while it would have been nice to pick up some extra cash by "adding more teams to the bottom". I feel that the the top 10 is deep enougn. I would rather see the league winner go up with 50% of fees paid in league - up to 25% to Fanball and 25% to the overall. Something like 1, 2 and 4.5 times entry fee for league payoffs. [/QUOTE]Fair points. And again, the prizes will be based on 390 teams and if we get above that we'll have additional prize money to spread around the way we see fit. This year we added most of it to the league prizes. If demand says we do that again in 2011, we'll do it. But as we grow and grow we also can't forget about growing the overall prizes. Let's get to 390 and beyond first and then we can have fun making those decisions.

FWIW, my vote for Las Vegas would be the Orleans. Plenty of convention space upstairs, pretty nice facilities and cheap. I'm sure the Events fee would be minimal and rooms would go for around $50 per night. My type of place. I think you should try a place like this for week 1 for those that don't care about the glitz and glamour of a high dollar place.

Just so folks on the East Coast know, we did reach out to the Borgata in Atlantic City and they are unable to host our live drafts. They have very limited meeting room space at the hotel itself and the space they do have is taken on weekends for concerts or by the entertainment division. So Borgata really isn't an option for NFBC or NFFC, unfortunately. I agree, that is the nicest hotel in Atlantic City, but unfortunately it's not set up for what we need on busy weekends.

I haven't made up my mind to what contest or contests I'am doing this year, but I agree with the cap part, I like knowing how many people I;am going to be facing in the contest. Thats why I'am going to do the NFFC online championship next year is that there was a cap of 720, so I like that part.



[ October 10, 2010, 01:37 AM: Message edited by: Jesse Homer ]