Tuesday Live Chat Starts Now

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 1:42 pm

NFBC/WCOFB: I have a bus that can hold 21 going to the WCOFB and I'm not sure we'll have more than that. But that's about what I think are doing both.

By the way, I'm paying for that!!! No need to thank me, WCOFB.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 1:45 pm

Walla Walla, I know exactly what you mean. That's why I'm telling you to plan for no fewer than 11 and hopefully 12. I'll work the trade conference guys tomorrow and see if there's any way I can get one more signup. I know the AL is tough, but I swear the NL is tougher. Having done LABR NL with 13 teams and Vlad and Sheffield and Vazquez and Lopez in the AL, man it's tough.

I need you guys to force one of the 90+ VEgas guys to "play two." Come on, where's the peer pressure when we're looking for one more team to get to 11. Again, trade Zola back to the AL.

Dyv · Post by **Dyv** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 1:46 pm

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

NFBC/WCOFB: I have a bus that can hold 21 going to the WCOFB and I'm not sure we'll have more than that. But that's about what I think are doing both.

By the way, I'm paying for that!!! No need to thank me, WCOFB. lol - and don't wait up late expecting the thank you card, either!

21 seems really high to me... but I suppose we can compare the list posted on their site to the list posted here and figure it out.

Greg, are you counting 21 with managers and co-managers?

I know of 5-6 people doing the twist...

D

seefer · Post by **seefer** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 1:46 pm

Greg, I'm glad to hear your daughter is feeling better. Where can I go tomorrow to find out the prices realized for the LABR auctions? Will it be available online or will I have to buy a paper?

nnoy · Post by **nnoy** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 1:47 pm

My take on the WCOFB v NFBC rivalry:

With the marketing reach of KP the WCOFB will NEVER become a mainstream event. You guys will get this year’s NFBC under your belt and have 195 of us creating the marketing “buzz” that is critical for this to hit the big time. However, WCOFB will likely only be able to bring in 45-60 hardcore roto geeks with a little extra cash for years to come.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 1:47 pm

Nathan, I don't disagree. I'm at $750-$1,000 right now and will ask for input on Friday night. For football, I think $750 makes more sense because not as many people have tried auctions in football. In fact, I've only done one or two.

You just tipped your hand. So you're taking A-Rod?

Dyv · Post by **Dyv** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 1:49 pm

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

Walla Walla, I know exactly what you mean. That's why I'm telling you to plan for no fewer than 11 and hopefully 12. I'll work the trade conference guys tomorrow and see if there's any way I can get one more signup. I know the AL is tough, but I swear the NL is tougher. Having done LABR NL with 13 teams and Vlad and Sheffield and Vazquez and Lopez in the AL, man it's tough.

I need you guys to force one of the 90+ VEgas guys to "play two." Come on, where's the peer pressure when we're looking for one more team to get to 11. Again, trade Zola back to the AL. Leave Zola in the NL - I feel rejected and don't want him now.

Greg - any last minute offers you can make to entice people to play in the Auction? Gotta be able to get a Harmon Killebrew signed something?

Let's get these last 2 for the AL and be done with this.

Who's on the fence? Speak up now!

Dyv

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 1:51 pm

Yeah, I'm guessing at 21. I said I have a bus that can hold 21 as I figured managers and co-managers would take the bus. There's not that many teams doing both, I'm pretty sure of that. But I don't worry about those things. As I said from the start, both contests can succeed if they both offer good customer service, unique events and create an enjoyable experience. I still believe that, but having them on the same weekend doesn't make sense. I will do this again next year during the first weekend of the NCAA tournament because it helps me to do this in conjunction with my Fantasy Sports Trade Conference. We have 140 business executives coming here tomorrow for that conference and that allowed me to not charge an Events fee or make you stay at the Rio. So it's same bat time, same bat channel, same bat place hopefully for 2005.

Jackstraw · Post by **Jackstraw** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 1:53 pm

I wouldn't mind the AL Auction, but I would be serious dead money. I've never tried it before and I don't know if $1250 is a good price for a lesson The idea is very intriguing.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 1:54 pm

It might be at www.usatodaysportsweekly.com, but I think you'll have to buy the paper for $1.50. We have free ones on Friday, but that might be too late for you. I'm picking one up tomorrow to see how I did!!! I'm sure it's another ugly picture as there's not much you can do with this mug. I can't shave the moustache, my kids don't want me to grow a beard and now my nose and ear hairs are graying. What's a guy to do!!!

seefer · Post by **seefer** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 1:54 pm

Jackstraw, I've never done an auction either and I am in the NL Auction this year. Looks like alot of fun!

Dyv · Post by **Dyv** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 1:55 pm

Originally posted by Jackstraw:

I wouldn't mind the AL Auction, but I would be serious dead money. I've never tried it before and I don't know if $1250 is a good price for a lesson The idea is very intriguing. Come on, Jack - Greg will give you a tutorial over the phone on how to dominate the draft. It's still roto 5x5 baseball it's just you build your team by your own design rather than taking what comes your way. You can play bigball with big names or fill out a roster with productive players in the middle.

The only real difference is calculating out how many players you'll need vs. the mixed league drafts. Backup closers and long relievers have solid value!

Come join us - we need ya!

Dave

Walla Walla · Post by **Walla Walla** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 1:56 pm

Dyv,

I sent you a letter asking to join Leaderboard Sports. No reply but I did find a dead fish on my door step. Whats up with that.

Jackstraw · Post by **Jackstraw** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 1:56 pm

I would feel better if there were two idiots, uh I mean rookies, in the AL auction!

nnoy · Post by **nnoy** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 1:56 pm

I won’t be shocked to see A-rod go 13 for 13 as the #1. My rationale is the obvious that he fills a position that is not as deep as Pujols or Vlad would, and Soriano may see a reduction in his production with the trade to Texas, defiantly in the runs department.

The other key factor is projecting out what players will be on the board at 30 and 31. Odds are a Pierre, or a Renteria, will make it back and you get your lock steals, or you can grab two 40+ HR 1B’s and be sitting on 130-140 HR’s after three players.

[ March 16, 2004, 07:59 PM: Message edited by: nnoy ]

Dyv · Post by **Dyv** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 1:58 pm

Originally posted by Walla Walla:

Dyv,

I sent you a letter asking to join Leaderboard Sports. No reply but I did find a dead fish on my door step. Whats up with that. Walla, I'm not sure I got it? I had nothing to do with the dead fish, though... lol.

I'm switching email providers soon - been very unhappy with not getting some lately.

Send again if you'd like, I'm at [email protected]

Dave

seefer · Post by **seefer** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 1:58 pm

nnoy, which chicago league are you in?

BB of the Leaderboard · Post by **BB of the Leaderboard** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 1:59 pm

Originally posted by seefer:

Jackstraw, I've never done an auction either and I am in the NL Auction this year. Looks like alot of fun! Yowza!! Welcome.

nnoy · Post by **nnoy** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 1:59 pm

#2 how about you?

Jackstraw · Post by **Jackstraw** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 1:59 pm

Let me think about it for a few... I was planning on getting there early enough to watch so I could be prepared for next year. What the heck, sometimes it is better to just jump in the fire...

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 2:00 pm

My take on the WCOFB and NFBC: There is no rivalry. The interesting thing is that in every category of the fantasy sports industry there are many different competitors. There are several salary cap games, free games, commissioner products, online content, magazines, apparel, you name it. But when it comes to high stakes games, everyone makes it sound like there should only be one, like competition is a sin or something.

You have to realize one thing: I have the utmost respect for Lenny and Emil and I consider them friends in the industry. When I went to the inaugural WCOFF to witness it from a journalistic point of view, I was amazed. They were putting on a high stakes event at $1,250 each at a time when most of the industry was offering free products. CBS SportsLine.com had just gone back to pay in March and WCOFF was offering a $1,250 fantasy football game a month later. It was unbelievable.

And they made it work. So now people look at anyone who enters that space as sacreligious. But I disagree. I would have LOVED to have partnered with them and we tried, but it was bad timing as KP had just been sold and management was too busy pleasing new owners rather than partnering with a new fantasy client. I think KP deserves some of the blame for that. But life goes on and if we both offer a unique experience and give people their money's worth, we'll both succeed, in football as well as baseball.

I don't see myself competing against anyone. I'm competing against my own budget, I'm competing for sponsors that nobody else in the fantasy industry has and I'm competing to make this as big as it possibly can be. I want big partners, TV and the whole ball of wax, and I think we'll do it.

nnoy · Post by **nnoy** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 2:00 pm

Greg what are your target dates for next year's drafts?

seefer · Post by **seefer** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 2:01 pm

League #1, pick 3.

Cellar Dwellers · Post by **Cellar Dwellers** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 2:02 pm

There is nothing better than an auction. Drafts don't even come close. Once you've done an auction you never want to go back. That being said I don't want to see the auction go below $1,000 next year. You make it any lower and the prizes won't be worthwile for most guys.

nnoy · Post by **nnoy** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 2:04 pm

It pays to think big. I think most of us would agree that as long as KP has you on board the NFCB will only grow. I think the SI article will really get the ball rolling for you. You need to lock in a few more celebrities next year as well.