SOLD OUT: 2 NFBC DIAMOND LEAGUES!!

[JohnP]

Thanks for all of your wild ideas Mike, but the Diamond payout stays as is. I'm not sure we're ready just yet for a Diamond Winner-Take-All League!! The four payouts work at this price point and keeps everyone involved all season long. Now let's keep moving forward and fill this baby up!!

Greg,
I respectfully disagree. First of all, I did not suggest a "winner-take-all" format. The change would simply be to pay the top three as is done in all other NFBC leagues, only with a different prize structure. Do you honestly believe any of us in this group are going to lose interest and stop being competitive let alone withdraw their registration if you made this change to the prize structure? No way. And before you poo-poo all of my ideas as being "wild", have you happened to notice that since you took my advice and listed the second Diamond a few days ago, that this so happens to be the most viewed thread on the entire general discussion board, even more than your 2013 sign-up thread! And I still get people who message me this year to tell me how they followed the MTM thread last year every day and it was their favorite. What does this indicate? To me it shows that people like out-of-the-box ideas and the entertainment factor that they add to these types of competitions which makes them want to follow them even more and perhaps even get involved in one. How much revenue did you and Tom just add over the last few days for 2013 just with this second Diamond alone and all the hype I've been giving it just for the fun of it? You filled a second event with a $10,000 entrance fee quicker than you do some slow drafts from cryin' out loud! It's time you guys just hear out some of your loyal, biggest players and spenders who want to compete at this level and especially like to do so when you push the envelope with new and exciting ideas each year which only serve to help you make more revenue and better promote this thing you created that we all love so much. I distinctly recall all the doubts and reservations I got last year when I suggested an entirely live Super event, and heard all about the challenges in filling a high stakes league like that, but I got 15 great, top-notch competitors (give or take a few ) all there paid and enthusiastically so. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that league didn't exist before last year either. I'm not looking for compensation or even acknowledgement for it, but it would be nice if before you shot down some of the ideas I listed, that you at least heard me and the rest of us out on them. Besides the pay out structure, which if changed for the second Diamond, does nothing to affect you guys negatively in any way, there are a few ideas I've thrown out there from speaking to people that I think are good and will add to the fun and excitement of this elite event. I've been a business owner and entrepreneur for over 20 years, and I've learned that if you aren't willing to take calculated risks and think outside the box once in awhile, you're going to limit your potential for maximum success. One of my favorite quotes of all time is a baseball quote by Earl Weaver, and I use it in speaking with my clients all the time: "It's what you learn after you know it all that counts." Truer words were never spoken. Now let's get some serious dialogue going here so I can get back to busting everyone's balls like I would rather be doing right now. Thanks for your consideration, and I welcome anyone and everyone reading this to take the time to give your insightful responses on this thread. Thanks again.

-MTM

Lots of GREAT points here! My "insightful" response is that I agree completely. The only problem I see is that if the people that signed up did so under the premise of one set of payouts and are opposed to a revised set of payouts then obviously you would need to deal with that accordingly. In this case....looks like Mike has drummed up huge interest in a contest that didn't even exist a week ago - I would for sure at least consider his suggestions! Maybe have one diamond with one payout format and the other one with something different? But...then again...I am not playing so it doesn't really matter to me. I am just saying that I LOVE the enthusiasm and the activity that this Mike character brings to the boards / contest and it is often these types of people that great ideas come from.

[Baseball Furies]

All 15 owners should also think about this and I'll do an email survey shortly, but should we also stick with the 1,200 IP minimum here. We surveyed the other owners and set the rules for 1,200 IP for the Diamond League. I assume everyone signing up for this one was thinking the same thing, but I'll email the group nonetheless. Since we pay down four spots in the Diamond League, the all-RP strategy has been tried more often here than in other events, so the move to 1,200 IP was implemented for Diamond 1.

Right now it's at 1,200 IP, unless there is a major outcry to lower it to the Main Event standard of 1,000 IP. Thanks all.

Greg,
Did you read my post to you in this thread? Yet another reason why what I wrote about the pay out and other things makes sense. Please give me a call today. Thanks.

-MTM

[Baseball Furies]

Thanks for all of your wild ideas Mike, but the Diamond payout stays as is. I'm not sure we're ready just yet for a Diamond Winner-Take-All League!! The four payouts work at this price point and keeps everyone involved all season long. Now let's keep moving forward and fill this baby up!!

Greg,
I respectfully disagree. First of all, I did not suggest a "winner-take-all" format. The change would simply be to pay the top three as is done in all other NFBC leagues, only with a different prize structure. Do you honestly believe any of us in this group are going to lose interest and stop being competitive let alone withdraw their registration if you made this change to the prize structure? No way. And before you poo-poo all of my ideas as being "wild", have you happened to notice that since you took my advice and listed the second Diamond a few days ago, that this so happens to be the most viewed thread on the entire general discussion board, even more than your 2013 sign-up thread! And I still get people who message me this year to tell me how they followed the MTM thread last year every day and it was their favorite. What does this indicate? To me it shows that people like out-of-the-box ideas and the entertainment factor that they add to these types of competitions which makes them want to follow them even more and perhaps even get involved in one. How much revenue did you and Tom just add over the last few days for 2013 just with this second Diamond alone and all the hype I've been giving it just for the fun of it? You filled a second event with a $10,000 entrance fee quicker than you do some slow drafts from cryin' out loud! It's time you guys just hear out some of your loyal, biggest players and spenders who want to compete at this level and especially like to do so when you push the envelope with new and exciting ideas each year which only serve to help you make more revenue and better promote this thing you created that we all love so much. I distinctly recall all the doubts and reservations I got last year when I suggested an entirely live Super event, and heard all about the challenges in filling a high stakes league like that, but I got 15 great, top-notch competitors (give or take a few ) all there paid and enthusiastically so. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that league didn't exist before last year either. I'm not looking for compensation or even acknowledgement for it, but it would be nice if before you shot down some of the ideas I listed, that you at least heard me and the rest of us out on them. Besides the pay out structure, which if changed for the second Diamond, does nothing to affect you guys negatively in any way, there are a few ideas I've thrown out there from speaking to people that I think are good and will add to the fun and excitement of this elite event. I've been a business owner and entrepreneur for over 20 years, and I've learned that if you aren't willing to take calculated risks and think outside the box once in awhile, you're going to limit your potential for maximum success. One of my favorite quotes of all time is a baseball quote by Earl Weaver, and I use it in speaking with my clients all the time: "It's what you learn after you know it all that counts." Truer words were never spoken. Now let's get some serious dialogue going here so I can get back to busting everyone's balls like I would rather be doing right now. Thanks for your consideration, and I welcome anyone and everyone reading this to take the time to give your insightful responses on this thread. Thanks again.

-MTM

Lots of GREAT points here! My "insightful" response is that I agree completely. The only problem I see is that if the people that signed up did so under the premise of one set of payouts and are opposed to a revised set of payouts then obviously you would need to deal with that accordingly. In this case....looks like Mike has drummed up huge interest in a contest that didn't even exist a week ago - I would for sure at least consider his suggestions! Maybe have one diamond with one payout format and the other one with something different? But...then again...I am not playing so it doesn't really matter to me. I am just saying that I LOVE the enthusiasm and the activity that this Mike character brings to the boards / contest and it is often these types of people that great ideas come from.

Thanks, John. I appreciate your post. I love this game and the NFBC, and my hope is that my enthusiasm and innovative ideas can be received and appreciated so that a dialogue can be created that brings positive improvement and progressive change to this competition that is much needed and wanted by many participants and customers of the NFBC like you.

[Greg Ambrosius]

Mike, you have great ideas and I'd never discredit your love and passion for the NFBC. You are a great promoter for the NFBC and a past champion as well. Don't let Sack and Luny forget that you've won in the past here!!

As for the Diamond 2, we did have 6 signups for a Second Diamond League when Doughboys suggested that we try this on Saturday Night and there were already 5 Diamond owners from the first league who said they would get in a second league before there was a suggestion to change the payouts. That's tough to sell out a league at $10,000 per team when the payouts are being drastically changed. Now we have sold out the last 3 spots (and now have another owner on the waiting list) since your suggestion, but again I think all owners signed up knowing what the prize payouts would be.

This is going to be a lot of fun and we have a lot of things to finalize here. I'm working on the exposure as well and hopefully we can make everyone in the Diamond Leagues on-air stars. The selection of draft spots is another item to discuss as I know you were pushing for on-site. We can discuss that, but again everyone would have to agree to the plan.

Keep the ideas coming. I'm not trying to pooh-pooh any of your ideas or discredit the fact that your smack-talking works to drum up interest in these leagues. But it's tough to sell entries when the stakes are being moved by one of the owners. You either need a consensus by all 15 owners or we stick to the rules in place. Thanks again and John P. is right: It's fun to watch the interest in a league like this when the owners are smack-talking already in November. Great job.

[Baseball Furies]

Mike, you have great ideas and I'd never discredit your love and passion for the NFBC. You are a great promoter for the NFBC and a past champion as well. Don't let Sack and Luny forget that you've won in the past here!!

As for the Diamond 2, we did have 6 signups for a Second Diamond League when Doughboys suggested that we try this on Saturday Night and there were already 5 Diamond owners from the first league who said they would get in a second league before there was a suggestion to change the payouts. That's tough to sell out a league at $10,000 per team when the payouts are being drastically changed. Now we have sold out the last 3 spots (and now have another owner on the waiting list) since your suggestion, but again I think all owners signed up knowing what the prize payouts would be.

This is going to be a lot of fun and we have a lot of things to finalize here. I'm working on the exposure as well and hopefully we can make everyone in the Diamond Leagues on-air stars. The selection of draft spots is another item to discuss as I know you were pushing for on-site. We can discuss that, but again everyone would have to agree to the plan.

Keep the ideas coming. I'm not trying to pooh-pooh any of your ideas or discredit the fact that your smack-talking works to drum up interest in these leagues. But it's tough to sell entries when the stakes are being moved by one of the owners. You either need a consensus by all 15 owners or we stick to the rules in place. Thanks again and John P. is right: It's fun to watch the interest in a league like this when the owners are smack-talking already in November. Great job.

Greg,
Thanks for the response. I appreciate that you're trying to incorporate some new ideas to make this event special. All I'm asking is that you put it to a vote to the 15 of us that are now in for the second Diamond on the payout structure as I proposed. No harm, no foul in doing this. I sincerely doubt however that the reason why people decided to jump into this second Diamond event was because of the four payout spots rather than three like the first Diamond. All of us join these types of leagues for the allure of the big payout as much as anything else. So why not put it to a vote? Then I'll shut up...well, not really, but you get what I mean. And I don't worry what anyone writes about me. I dish it out and can take it just the same. It's all in good fun. I know these guys and they know me. So let's get the poll going! If we can get this thing to a 100K payout, the buzz about it will be huge!

[Greg Ambrosius]

The March 23rd Diamond League is now available on Registration. The 15 owners on this list get first dibs at that date and time in Las Vegas, so go ahead and sign up to secure your spot. Thanks all.

[Captain Hook]

There IS an easy way to keep Greg's setup for Diamond2 AND incorporated Mike's suggestions (which I think many would vote for) ............... There is nothing scheduled on Friday night ............ so the Bombeh Saffire League awaits

As I told Greg a month ago the great NFBC group that comes to Vegas every year is there to .... DRAFT
Schedule more drafts AND they will fill - obviously Saturday evening did and Friday will for an event
(both would probably hold a second event as well - IF you post it they will COME)


Look forward to seeing all you guys in Vegas,


PVH


PS - please read Todd's post, many of you already have but everyone should want

[Gekko]

could be time for a 25K entry fee league

[Tom Kessenich]

could be time for a 25K entry fee league

We'll run it. You wanna be the first signup?

[Captain Hook]

could be time for a 25K entry fee league

You may well be right Mark - think about the FF leagues that fill (where the stars must more magically align and the gnashing of teeth is more prevalent) for HIGHER entries.

The baseball contests are far more skill based (yes one still needs some good fortune) and the sheer committment in terms of knowing the inventory (as a friend would say) AND staying after things every week for six months deserves a contest where the dedicated and the dreamers can not only invest more but gain more.

[Baseball Furies]

could be time for a 25K entry fee league

You may well be right Mark - think about the FF leagues that fill (where the stars must more magically align and the gnashing of teeth is more prevalent) for HIGHER entries.

The baseball contests are far more skill based (yes one still needs some good fortune) and the sheer committment in terms of knowing the inventory (as a friend would say) AND staying after things every week for six months deserves a contest where the dedicated and the dreamers can not only invest more but gain more.

Great post, Perry, but it appears as though it is now in my hands to get all 15 current registrants for the second Diamond on board with a change in payout structure in order for a higher stakes payout to happen. I have no issues taking it on, but it really shouldn't be up to us as the consumers that are demanding higher stakes play to have to petition amongst ourselves to make it happen. Just make the call, Greg, and there will 15 for the second Diamond by Vegas who will be all in for a $100,000/$30,000/$10,000 payout structure. The needs of the many should outweigh the needs of the few or the one. When we're talking this type of money, with this level of competition, with the magnitude of this level of excitement and exposure, in this type of venue, who seriously is going to balk at this change when push come to shove? In all seriousness (and I'm sure that Ken, Jim, and a few others following this thread will have a field day with this one), of all people, I should be one of the ones who would want a fourth payout spot to increase my chances of cashing in these shark infested waters. I consider myself a strong player that is still up and coming and getting better with each season, but I'm not at the level of some of these competitors yet (that's just a fact given their respective track records), nor are several others that would probably only admit that to themselves. However, they are still taking the plunge for the love of the game and to go up against the best of the best. For these reasons and more, it doesn't hurt to try to up the stakes for a shot at even greater glory! So let's go for it, and I will continue to provide the entertainment up until the event, and maybe even a little while I'm there.

[Greg Ambrosius]

Just to clarify one last time: It's tough to change the rules or prize structures AFTER you've sold out an event. I'm not trying to throw cold water on Mike's suggestion to eventually grow the Diamond League to a six-figure league prize, but that's something that has to be done BEFORE we sell it out. I've already had calls and emails from folks in Diamond 2 who said they signed up for this league with the 4 payout structure and that's the way we're going here.

Now, next year maybe we can start from the beginning with two different prize structures and sell out both. Or maybe we'll add a third league. Unless all 15 from these lists come forward and say they definitely want a $100,000 league prize, we're going with our current prize payout of $75,000, $35,000, $20,000, $10,000.

And who knows, maybe a $15,000 or $20,000 or $25,000 entry fee league is next. I'm certainly not against adding another level. As I've always said, if there's demand for any type of league like this, we'll run it. Our customers told us to create a $5,000 league and in the first year we filled two Ultimate Leagues. Our customers told us to try a $10,000 league and it filled in baseball and football the first year. We will offer a higher-level league with higher payouts if the demand is there, but right now I'm honored to have two Diamonds and I want that to be seen as a positive, which it is.

And if folks think I don't have enough events planned for Las Vegas, just say the word. I have events planned throughout all three days. Unfortunately, baseball takes 4.5-5.5 hours to draft or complete an auction, so it's tough to schedule something every hour. But I think we have a pretty darn full schedule, but I'll add more if folks think I'm being light. Tom, me, Brady, Dennis, Rex and a whole crew will be on hand to serve your every needs, so if I'm missing the boat on something let me know. We'll add it, just like we did this Second Diamond League.

Now, about those Ultimate Leagues and Super Leagues we still need to fill.....who wants in?

[Baseball Furies]

I'm posting this to bump this up the board where it belongs until I can take the time and effort to draft a more detailed response tomorrow night. There's a ton that still bears discussion about all that has come about as a result of this thread, which I think will all be positive in the end. But with all due respect, Greg (and I truly mean that as a huge fan of you and what you have created), as one of a number of customers that pours a huge amount of my hard-earned money into your product every year, and even more so this year, we are simply asking for better answers, better solutions, and better innovation. I think we deserve that from you especially as your elite level customers, and that should count for a lot no matter what business you're in. In a perfect world, no one would rock the boat, challenge the status quo, think outside the box, put the screws to you, or whatever you want to call it, but that's not the world I live in. I may have a big mouth, and an in-your-face and over-the-top type of personality, but it all comes from the heart with the best of intentions always. I have always gone out of my way on my own time and own buck to help hype, promote, make more fun, and ultimately stimulate interest and grow the NFBC as one of its staunchest advocates and passionate participants. I'm not asking for any compensation or even acknowledgement or appreciation for anything, but I am asking for there to be more dialogue with a more open-minded approach on your part for this coming season, and not at some point in the future perhaps 2014 or beyond. That's all for now, and my sincere apologies if you have taken anything I have written on these boards as a personal affront or degradation of you. That was not and is not my intention. This is not all about stirring the pot for my own self-interests or personal agenda that I'm trying to push. More later. Thanks for reading. I strongly encourage all of you who would like to contribute and support this conversation to step to the plate, and speak your minds.

-MTM

[Captain Hook]

And if folks think I don't have enough events planned for Las Vegas, just say the word. I have events planned throughout all three days. Unfortunately, baseball takes 4.5-5.5 hours to draft or complete an auction, so it's tough to schedule something every hour. But I think we have a pretty darn full schedule, but I'll add more if folks think I'm being light. Tom, me, Brady, Dennis, Rex and a whole crew will be on hand to serve your every needs, so if I'm missing the boat on something let me know. We'll add it, just like we did this Second Diamond League.

Now, about those Ultimate Leagues and Super Leagues we still need to fill.....who wants in?

1) Still nothing scheduled on Friday night

2) Ultimate and Super leagues - start a separate thread (you can do both in one) and they will fill up

[Money]

When is enough enough? Last year the MtM super thread was one of the most entertaining of the season. This year it has spread to threads involving slow draft leagues, diamond leagues and the original. It's well intentioned but has a shelf life (it's expired). We all have idea's and suggestions and all should be heard not just those spending the most.

I guess the reason I'm posting is that I've made recommendations within the thread and was told to go away and probably didn't like it, that along with those recommendations seemed to get drowned out.

[Baseball Furies]

When is enough enough? Last year the MtM super thread was one of the most entertaining of the season. This year it has spread to threads involving slow draft leagues, diamond leagues and the original. It's well intentioned but has a shelf life (it's expired). We all have idea's and suggestions and all should be heard not just those spending the most.

I guess the reason I'm posting is that I've made recommendations within the thread and was told to go away and probably didn't like it, that along with those recommendations seemed to get drowned out.

You're right, Joe. Enough is enough. Me and others including yourself have spoken their minds. I will move on to other things in hopes as always that this great competition and organization that is the NFBC continues to innovate, expand, and improve. I'd much rather be spending my time on the entertainment side of things anyway. . So good luck to all and see you in Vegas, unless of course a Wisconsin hit squad pays me a visit before then. Fill your own image in for that one.

[Sack]

Massotto, one look at any of your draft s last season shows you are in the entertainment business. Those teams amused everybody in your league. I love that the guy with the least chance of cashing is so worried about league payoffs he'll
Never see. Anyway, keep up the good work. Your donations are always welcome.

C'mon Joe B.....if you didn't have sumpthin to complain about you would really be miserable! Great suggestion on the NFFC boards with the points. Keep firing off those ideas. Looking forward to trying to CATCH up with you in Vegas, need to redeem myself in those NFBC XII leagues you dominated last Summer. Stay well and keep riding MTM.

[Baseball Furies]

Massotto, one look at any of your draft s last season shows you are in the entertainment business. Those teams amused everybody in your league. I love that the guy with the least chance of cashing is so worried about league payoffs he'll
Never see. Anyway, keep up the good work. Your donations are always welcome.

C'mon Joe B.....if you didn't have sumpthin to complain about you would really be miserable! Great suggestion on the NFFC boards with the points. Keep firing off those ideas. Looking forward to trying to CATCH up with you in Vegas, need to redeem myself in those NFBC XII leagues you dominated last Summer. Stay well and keep riding MTM.

Sack,
Isn't there a peeping Tom or a cat up a tree or something that needs tending to? The entertainment I provide is free, but the beating I'm going to lay down on your over-confident ass this year in the Diamond will be costly for you. I will also revel in getting a lot of serious mileage out of your demise on these boards for a long, long time. So go back to your football and make some money so you can afford to do this event in the firs place. It's not fair that you're asking Christie to put up all the money with your only contribution being a ride in your squad car out to Vegas, and letting him play with the siren and lights the whole way if he wants.


In this photo: Ken Magner and Jim Christie pretending what the drive to Vegas will be like

[Sack]

You got me Mikey. We are calling an audible and fleeing the Diamond for Ultimate Auction 2. I couldn't sleep last night thinking about taking from from the mouth's of the Massotto children for a third consecutive year. So James and I will go quietly into the night. But, be nice to us pal. We have some extra loot now and will be watching those Super signups for the MTM League.

[Captain Hook]

In the last 2 weeks I've reached out to all 15 owners in the NFBC Diamond League to talk about their plans for 2013 and whether they would return to this league or not. I always give last year's participants first dibs on securing their spots for the next season since they helped to build this event. This year I asked them whether they would like to draft on the First Weekend in Las Vegas or the Second Weekend, and whether they would be returning in 2013 or not.

Interestingly, all 15 owners said they wanted to return in 2013, but they still wanted to discuss the draft date. That's fair enough. We also have two other owners who at one time participated in this league asking to be put on the reserve list for 2013 if anyone drops out. I don't think we'll have enough interest for two Diamond Leagues, but if we get more interest in this format maybe we will offer this format on two different weekends. We'll see.

Of those owners who responded about the draft date, 9 wanted March 24th, 3 wanted the Second Weekend and 3 didn't state a preference. There were a few owners who said they couldn't do the Second Weekend if we chose that date, including one of the reserve owners.

It's great that we may be SOLD OUT for the NFBC Diamond League already, but let's resolve the Draft Day together and go from there. We can do this internally via email and I'll email all 15 owners plus those in reserve this week to discuss the two options. Hopefully we can all get on the same page and make this happen for all of the owners who want to compete at this level.

Look for the email this week and let's discuss. Thanks all. Those saying they would return include:

1. Rob Silver
2. Stephen Jupinka
3. Glenn Schroter
4. Donn Johnson
5. KJ Duke
6. Peter Berall
7. Glenn Lowy
8. Robert Particelli
9. Will Tyrer
10. David DiDonato
11. Rick Thomas
12. Kevin Kirves
13. Jim Ferrari
14. Chad Schroeder
15. Nick Cassavetes

Again, this is dependent on the Draft Date, so nothing is guaranteed. We'll know more shortly, but this is definitely a record sellout or close to sellout for the NFBC Diamond League. Thanks all.

A second Diamond League is also being considered now on Saturday, March 23rd at 6 pm PT at the Bellagio Las Vegas. Here is the tentative list for that one:

NFBC DIamond League
Bellagio, Las Vegas
Saturday, March 23, 6 pm PT
1. Dan Kenyon & Andy Nolan
2. Mike Massotto
3. Scott Fleming
4. Scott Keikoan
5. John Lemke (tentative)
6. Chad Schroeder (tentative)
7. Glenn Schroter
8. Andy Robinson
9. Dave Potts
10. Jim Ferrari
11. Rob Silver
12. Will Tyrer
13. Robert Particelli (tentative)
14. Ken Magner/Jim Christie
15. Kevin Schiller
16. Kevin Kirves (tentative)
17. Derek Pierson

Bumping this to get it updated - need to take Magner/Christie OFF and resolve the tentatives because this is either full or has an opening (hopefully not more)

PLUS once it is filled there can be a discussion or signup for a Platinum or whatever Greg thinks is higher grade than Diamond for a $20 or $25K entry which MTM wants be the first signup for.

[Baseball Furies]

In the last 2 weeks I've reached out to all 15 owners in the NFBC Diamond League to talk about their plans for 2013 and whether they would return to this league or not. I always give last year's participants first dibs on securing their spots for the next season since they helped to build this event. This year I asked them whether they would like to draft on the First Weekend in Las Vegas or the Second Weekend, and whether they would be returning in 2013 or not.

Interestingly, all 15 owners said they wanted to return in 2013, but they still wanted to discuss the draft date. That's fair enough. We also have two other owners who at one time participated in this league asking to be put on the reserve list for 2013 if anyone drops out. I don't think we'll have enough interest for two Diamond Leagues, but if we get more interest in this format maybe we will offer this format on two different weekends. We'll see.

Of those owners who responded about the draft date, 9 wanted March 24th, 3 wanted the Second Weekend and 3 didn't state a preference. There were a few owners who said they couldn't do the Second Weekend if we chose that date, including one of the reserve owners.

It's great that we may be SOLD OUT for the NFBC Diamond League already, but let's resolve the Draft Day together and go from there. We can do this internally via email and I'll email all 15 owners plus those in reserve this week to discuss the two options. Hopefully we can all get on the same page and make this happen for all of the owners who want to compete at this level.

Look for the email this week and let's discuss. Thanks all. Those saying they would return include:

1. Rob Silver
2. Stephen Jupinka
3. Glenn Schroter
4. Donn Johnson
5. KJ Duke
6. Peter Berall
7. Glenn Lowy
8. Robert Particelli
9. Will Tyrer
10. David DiDonato
11. Rick Thomas
12. Kevin Kirves
13. Jim Ferrari
14. Chad Schroeder
15. Nick Cassavetes

Again, this is dependent on the Draft Date, so nothing is guaranteed. We'll know more shortly, but this is definitely a record sellout or close to sellout for the NFBC Diamond League. Thanks all.

A second Diamond League is also being considered now on Saturday, March 23rd at 6 pm PT at the Bellagio Las Vegas. Here is the tentative list for that one:

NFBC DIamond League
Bellagio, Las Vegas
Saturday, March 23, 6 pm PT
1. Dan Kenyon & Andy Nolan
2. Mike Massotto
3. Scott Fleming
4. Scott Keikoan
5. John Lemke (tentative)
6. Chad Schroeder (tentative)
7. Glenn Schroter
8. Andy Robinson
9. Dave Potts
10. Jim Ferrari
11. Rob Silver
12. Will Tyrer
13. Robert Particelli (tentative)
14. Ken Magner/Jim Christie
15. Kevin Schiller
16. Kevin Kirves (tentative)
17. Derek Pierson

Bumping this to get it updated - need to take Magner/Christie OFF and resolve the tentatives because this is either full or has an opening (hopefully not more)

PLUS once it is filled there can be a discussion or signup for a Platinum or whatever Greg thinks is higher grade than Diamond for a $20 or $25K entry which MTM wants be the first signup for.

Perry, as soon as your name gets on this list, I will be more than happy to consider throwing my hat in the ring for an even higher stakes draft. Even though Sack flew the coop, at least he was actually in the coop at one time with fellow chicken, Jim Christie. You and Gekko should both start your own contest out there on Friday night and call it the "All Talk, No Action Live $150 Pretend High Stakes Event" or something like that. So until you're ready to roll with the big boys, stop trying spend everyone else's money. I suppose we can expect you hanging around the craps table placing bets for us as well?

So who is officially in this second Diamond and who is for upping the the payout? If all 15 of us can agree, perhaps Greg will be okay with making the change as I had proposed. I already know that Fleming, Richie Rich Tyrer, me, and most likely the reigning Champ, Potts would be fine with it. Can everyone else chime in here?

Almost forgot, I caught Sack and Luny riding into NYC with some of their buds the other day.

[Money]

Is this a 12 team league?

[Baseball Furies]

Is this a 12 team league?

There are plenty of 12 team leagues, Joe, that are just your speed and in your price range that are offered by the NFBC...BUT THE DIAMOND AINT ONE OF 'EM!

[Glenneration X]

PLUS once it is filled there can be a discussion or signup for a Platinum or whatever Greg thinks is higher grade than Diamond for a $20 or $25K entry which MTM wants be the first signup for.

I like this idea. We can call it the $25K MtM Super Ultimate Diamond Invitational, make it winner take all for $350K and cover the season with a reality show on Lifetime. Jeez, imagine what that thread would be like.

[Joe Sambito]

Mike,

The Advisory Board (Doughboys, Stevieland, & Chest) will play the 2nd diamond at either pay structure. Does not matter to us.