Could this be possible?

Potter · Post by **Potter** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 3:41 am

They have come, and they have gone. Many a roto startup have failed for as many reasons as one could imagine. Or have been bought out, swallowed up or otherwise ruined by some entity who is focused on things other than what makes and keeps a game great for it's participants.

So maybe someone out there starts a new brand. Or maybe en masse, we rotoplayers participate in another contest. Why wouldn't it be predictable that something like this happens again?

Is there a solution? I think so. Is there more than one answer? Maybe. But sitting here, sifting through the imaginary carnage, I can't help thinking I don't want to find myself in this situation again down the road. And it seems to me the current models used in the roto universe will not allow me to be convinced it won't.

So I started thinking about what is out there that I do know. With whom can I place my trust? That answer was easy. Greg Ambrosious. So I began thinking about Greg. His idea for a high stakes game was so obviously perfect, yet he couldn't do it on his own. He needed financial backing. And as long as that remains, I stay stumped regarding how to insulate ourselves from future failure. My mind wanders, as I think about solutions that involve Greg. "Man, I hope the Packers win this weekend, Greg could use something to smile about." "Crazy how the person I see most likely to lead us from this mess lives in some small town in feaking Wisconsin." " Crazy how LA can't sustain an NFL franchise, yet tiny little Green Bay, Wisconsin can."

Hmmmmmm.

Let me get my Wiki on:

The Packers are the only non-profit, community-owned franchise in American professional sports major leagues.[17] Typically, a team is owned by one person, partnership, or corporate entity, i.e., a "team owner." The lack of a dominant owner has been stated as one of the reasons the Green Bay Packers have never been moved...

Could this, or some version of it, be the model that keeps roto by the people, for the people?

Emmett

JamesH · Post by **JamesH** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 3:53 am

Potter, I like the outside the box thinking. And it's a very good idea. The main stumbling block I see is coming up with an initial investment to get things going. Overhead would include commish salaries and office space, utilities, IT or outsourced backend, website design and maintenance, advertising, event space, etc. Some up front cash is necessary to get the ball rolling. Once entries are paid that money could probably be repaid, however it would be necessary to keep some funds on hand in the event of a shortfall.

I'd be interested in helping in whatever way possible if this idea gets off the ground.

[ January 07, 2011, 09:56 AM: Message edited by: JamesH ]

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 4:00 am

Under this proposal, do Greg and Tom get to keep the plasma TVs?

I have a terrible feeling that much of Fanball property will wind up with the same fate as the Ark of the Covenant:

jim.s · Post by **jim.s** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 4:09 am

What you are suggesting happened in another gaming field about 15 years ago. The market for military oriented board games was dominated by Avalon Hill (with some smaller competitors) who ran a popular annual gaming convention. Avalon Hill went out of business (selling their game titles to Miltion Bradley who stopped publishing most of them). One of the key employees who had been let go from Avalon Hill started a non-profit Board Game Players Association to run the annual convention. It has been very sucessful.

I agree that the initial financing is a key issue.

I bet that Greg and Tom will figure out how to keep NFBC going.

Winston's Empire · Post by **Winston's Empire** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 4:13 am

Coming from somebody who lives 30 Miles South of Green Bay... Great Idea, but you don't want a guy who owns a single share of the company walking into your office with a breif case and a slice of cheese on his head acting like he is your boss!

Somebody needs to be the boss and somebody needs to have the upside / modivation of running the business they love for it to truly work.

Just 2 Cents from a Cheese Head!

PS Anybody who knows me, knows I am as optimistic as kids on Christmas Morning, so I say we just wait and see how this thing shakes out before we pull the plug on dear old Grandpa NFBC!

Hope and faith live on!

anpyanks · Post by **anpyanks** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 4:25 am

Greg/Tom, I know reading the article from Fanball that you arent allowed to say anything. When do you think that we can be expecting a statement in regards to NFBC because I'm sure people are looking for prices on flights, hotels, etc. and would at least like to know when we could expect to hear something?

Tarpon30 · Post by **Tarpon30** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 4:28 am

What drives us crazy is what probably works the best to keep these sites and leagues alive. Ever wonder why some TV shows stay on the air longer than others? The reason: ADVERTISING! If they can sell adds in the TV show and make money the TV show stays on the air. Doesn't everyone that's every done a CBS Sportline league just love the constant pop ups??????? But..it works.

Vander · Post by **Vander** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 4:39 am

I too like eveybody else wants to know what will happen this year so we can plan. In regards to Potter's plan, it's brilliant. Will it work, I have no idea. I would be willing to participate and as for who's in charge. I nominate Greg of course and that can be voted on annually by # of shares/units of the owners. 1 share 1 vote, 100 shares 100 votes. I know Greg probably can't talk about it or even if he would be interested in something like this. We are running out of time for this year though if something is to be put together.

Thunder · Post by **Thunder** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 4:47 am

I'm not a business major, but isn't this how companies and banks get started. a bunch of investors get an idea, get their monies together, sell stock..etc, hire someone to run the place, and rock and roll.

I think this is a pregnant idea.

Cotton1 · Post by **Cotton1** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 4:58 am

If we get to that point I will help, either financially and/or organizationally. I am sure we have many, many players who feel the same way and have talents/skills/money to throw at this thing. I agree that greg and crew need to run the show. This is what makes America great, throw us a curveball, we foul it off(translated do something to keep this year alive) and hit the next one out

JamesH · Post by **JamesH** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 7:37 am

Another option:

Team up with the FFPC to offer a baseball league. The FFPC is my favorite football league and is run by some excellent folks. I once asked if they ever planned to run a baseball contest and the reply was that they're interested but don't have the baseball expertise to be comfortable running it.

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 8:33 am

Funny thing Emmett is I mentioned the same thing on another thread and even referenced the Packers model.

It or some version of it could work IMO.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 8:33 am

Originally posted by Vander:

I too like eveybody else wants to know what will happen this year so we can plan. In regards to Potter's plan, it's brilliant. Will it work, I have no idea. I would be willing to participate and as for who's in charge. I nominate Greg of course and that can be voted on annually by # of shares/units of the owners. 1 share 1 vote, 100 shares 100 votes. I know Greg probably can't talk about it or even if he would be interested in something like this. We are running out of time for this year though if something is to be put together. Corporate officials have not talked to any of the employees nor do we know for certain what will happen. But it's very likely that early next week we'll be contacted and hopefully decisions will be announced. If that's the case, then I think there is plenty of time for players, competitors and any new entrants to give it a go for March drafts and make wise decisions.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 8:34 am

Originally posted by Chest Rockwell:

Funny thing Emmett is I mentioned the same thing on another thread and even referenced the Packers model.

It or some version of it could work IMO. Everyone associates Greg and the Green Bay Packers!!

Timcards · Post by **Timcards** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 10:26 am

As someone who has played Diamond Challenge since 1998 I would hate to see it go. I don't know what's going on inside but Ryan Houston never cared for DC. The fact you can signup for NFBC and not DC tells me a lot.

Baseball Furies · Post by **Baseball Furies** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 1:25 pm

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

quote:Originally posted by Vander:

I too like eveybody else wants to know what will happen this year so we can plan. In regards to Potter's plan, it's brilliant. Will it work, I have no idea. I would be willing to participate and as for who's in charge. I nominate Greg of course and that can be voted on annually by # of shares/units of the owners. 1 share 1 vote, 100 shares 100 votes. I know Greg probably can't talk about it or even if he would be interested in something like this. We are running out of time for this year though if something is to be put together. Corporate officials have not talked to any of the employees nor do we know for certain what will happen. But it's very likely that early next week we'll be contacted and hopefully decisions will be announced. If that's the case, then I think there is plenty of time for players, competitors and any new entrants to give it a go for March drafts and make wise decisions. [/QUOTE]Greg,

I have the money to help get this going if need be. As an entrpreneuer, I'm into new business ventures, especially ones that are fun as hell! I'm also good about getting people to cough up money for this type of thing. Hey, it's a Sicilian talent!

Contact me personally, please.

-Mike

P.S. I also happen to know of another Jersey guy who's sitting on over a hundred K he raked in from you guys last year.

I believe he is independently wealthy and money is no object to him anyway.