Live Chat For Wednesday Starts Now

Dyv · Post by **Dyv** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 1:00 pm

Edited out a bunch of numbers so as not to confuse discussions occurring below.

D

[ March 10, 2004, 10:16 PM: Message edited by: Dyv ]

Rey · Post by **Rey** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 1:03 pm

Didn't Greg mention that there was gonna be a National Championship for Fantasy Football? If so, can't we use free entries into that as well? You give a guy free entry into BOTH NCFF 2004 and NCFB 2005, and that's a $2,500 value that I doubt too many would complain about. I don't know if you could get too many people to buy into the idea of memorabilia replacing the money prizes, but I do think you can replace that cash with future contests.

Dyv · Post by **Dyv** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 1:04 pm

Originally posted by Rey:

Didn't Greg mention that there was gonna be a National Championship for Fantasy Football? If so, can't we use free entries into that as well? You give a guy free entry into BOTH NCFF 2004 and NCFB 2005, and that's a $2,500 value that I doubt too many would complain about. I don't know if you could get too many people to buy into the idea of memorabilia replacing the money prizes, but I do think you can replace that cash with future contests. I think all I'd be concerned about here is strapping the football contest with some free entries in its first year...

Dave

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 1:46 pm

Okay, guys, I can't stay late tonight and I apologize but I've neglected some little buggers at home WAY too much. I promise a live chat tomorrow at 3 p.m. EST. Here's my take from today, which has been just an unbelievable roller coaster for me. But I'll lay it out for you anyway.

First of all, you guys are the most dedicated players in the industry. The universe of dedicated fantasy baseball players who can play at this level for this price with interest for 26 weeks 24/7 is limited. I knew that going in and I'm happy with the group I have. Had we reached a modest goal in Chicago, we wouldn't be having this discussion, but **** happens.

So now I need to be a big boy and make things a little more right. If I had one consensus from everyone on what to do to save $25,000, I'd do it. That's what I'm trying to do, to lessen the blow without losing any of our dedicated players. Guys have been calling me saying they need at least $8,000 for second overall, others say $5,000 overall, others say $10,000 overall and at least $5,000 for third. I feel like 4th place overall is barely a consideration of a new price structure because a free team and a $1,000 memorabilia item gets you to around $2,500 anyway.

So do I risk trying to lose members over a $15,000 second place overall prize and a $7,500 third place overall prize? Would guys really bolt over that? Possibly. Even though their odds of winning $100,000 just improved from 1:300 to 1:165? Could be.

We haven't made any decisions yet and I'm still getting calls to sign up (everyone has 8 questions for me before signing up over the phone) and seriously nobody has THE answer. So somebody tell me what second place overall HAS to be and what third place overall HAS to be at a minimum to keep the NFBC just as good as it was $25,000 ago. Then I'll come up with a new prize structure ($750 to $500 for third place overall saves $2,750) and we'll crunch the numbers here.

We are willing to give free entries to the NFBC in 2005 or the NFFC in 2004, but nobody wants to hear that now. They want to know what second place overall needs to be, while keeping the $100,000 grand prize intact. That's what I'm hearing. So somebody start a thread about second place overall and third place overall and give me a consensus on what they HAVE to be and after I'm done tucking in some cuties, I'll check the thread and dive in.

I'm lucky to be working for such a good company that is supporting my grandiose idea for this. I want to keep everyone happy and live for another day and then write the book on this in 2020. Help me do that with a consensus opinion that will allow us to keep all of the current members happy and still in the 2004 competition. I'm asking for your advice.

TBill · Post by **TBill** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 2:05 pm

OK, I'll wade in with an opinion. My assumption is that you think the $25k should be cut from the top 4 prizes (I agree.) Also, if your bosses think that Free entry and memorabilia items are exactly = to their retail cash value, then I would suggest giving 4th all cash and letting them decide if they want to buy memorabilia with it. Therefore, I suggest an 80-10-7-3k all cash breakdown. I think that everyone knows that 1st has to be at least somewhat lucky and that 2nd also has to be very skillful.

[ March 10, 2004, 10:04 PM: Message edited by: TBill ]

Dyv · Post by **Dyv** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 4:15 pm

Is there really anyone here who feels preserving the $100k grand prize is the most important thing?

Could we take $25,000 from the overall and make it $75,000 and be all set?

My vote would be to reduce the overall prize.

If somehow the overall $100k is untouchable?

I need 2nd place overall to be at least $10k and 3rd overall to be at least $5k.

I can handle 4th overall and beyond being combinations of cash and/or free or half price entries.

I'm firmly against changing league prizes significantly outside of the 3rd place no-brainer.

Thanks

Dave

Plymouth · Post by **Plymouth** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 5:55 pm

I think the top prize of $100K has to stay, the entire advertising plan was a huge $100K prize so you don't want to change that. Second and third place need to finish in the money and they need a minimum of $10K and $5K. Your plan for fourth will be fine. I paid the entry fee to have a chance to win some big money playing baseball and not to get an entry into a football league I have no interest in. I appreciate all you have done Greg, keep up the good work. Thanks.

TBill · Post by **TBill** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 7:47 pm

Originally posted by Plymouth:

I appreciate all you have done Greg, keep up the good work. Thanks. I meant to express that in my comment, also.

[ March 11, 2004, 01:48 AM: Message edited by: TBill ]

TBill · Post by **TBill** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 7:56 pm

Originally posted by Dyv:

I can handle 4th overall and beyond being combinations of cash and/or free or half price entries.

Actually, I can handle it too. My point was that this was suggested to ease the present financial burdens of the sponsors. Greg seemed to indicate that a EF + memorabilia prize would not be a significant difference. If this is true then there is no reason to issue these instead of cash.

[ March 11, 2004, 02:02 AM: Message edited by: TBill ]