On Behalf Of The NFBC - Thank You

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 1:42 am

On behalf of myself, Greg, Geoff and everyone at STATS I wanted to say thank you to all of our participants in the NFBC this year. Yes I know we still have two more drafts this morning to roll out but with the season about to start in a few hours I wanted to express my gratitude to all of you for making this season so enjoyable so far.

There were obviously some rough waters for Greg and I not long ago and as much as we believed our events would find a new home and continue to flourish and grow you simply do not know what's going to happen until it happens. Fortunately, the great people at STATS recognized the value in what we produce, saw the immense potential to grow our business even more and have given us all of the backing we could have hoped to receive - and then some.

But without you guys none of this would be possible. You stuck with us during the time of uncertainty and you came out in droves to support all of our events. Greg and I really believe this isn't just an event, but a community of friends and competitors. Our family has grown and changed and evolved over the years but I think in many ways Greg and I have been able to return to our roots this year and now with the power that STATS provides we can continue to provide the games and customer service you all have grown accustomed to while growing our business in ways that were never possible before.

So thanks to all of you for sticking by us and supporting us. I think I can speak for Greg when I say we will never forget the past few months and how so many showed their support and appreciation for everything we do and have done.

Now let's kick off the season with a Brewers win today and all will be good.

Glenneration X · Post by **Glenneration X** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 2:10 am

You're welcome Tom.

Thank you Guys too for keeping our contest going against really tough odds. I don't think Opening Day would be as exciting this year if you guys weren't able to pull off the save the way you did. Great job and mucho thanks.

By the way, does anyone have a remedy for draft withdrawal?

Scott Boras · Post by **Scott Boras** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 2:37 am

Thank YOU, Tom! The NFBC community is just as thankful to have you, Greg, and Geoff working as hard as you do.

Happy to be back with STATS!

Sorry about the Brew Crew, Volquez for the win!

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 2:39 am

Originally posted by Glenneration X:

By the way, does anyone have a remedy for draft withdrawal?

Yes, it's called NFBC Second Chance Leagues. The first drafts will be held around May 1st at different price levels. These are new this year, but you can tell from the name what they are meant to be. We'll have some more around June 1st and July 1st. You guys are the addicts and Tom and I are the pimps!!

We'll take care of your fix this season, Glenn, no worries.

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 2:41 am

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

You guys are the addicts and Tom and I are the pimps!! Hmmm ...

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 2:55 am

I second what Tom has already said. THANK YOU EVERYONE!!

Think of this crazy timeline:

We started taking NFBC signups with Fanball in early November and even started running Slow Drafts by early December. We already had 10 Slow Drafts started and 100+ Main Event signups by the first of January. We were off to a great start with Fanball and all of us were looking for a big, big year.

On January 4th Tom and I were told that Liberty Sports Interactive was dissolving Fanball and all of its products. We had heard rumors about this possibly happening just the week before but had hoped that something else would occur.

That day I talked with LSI about acquiring the NFBC and NFFC and reached out to my old friends at STATS. Immediately there was mutual agreement between me and STATS that something positive could be worked out if I acquired the NFBC and NFFC. It was time to 1) acquire the NFBC's assets and its great history and 2) work out a deal with STATS.

On Feb. 18th, six weeks later, the deal with LSI and myself was complete. On Feb. 21st, Tom and I started with STATS. New Slow Drafts started that week, the satellite season started that week and signups finally went live after not having a single online signup for 15 days. STATS had to build the Registration page, online draft software, back-end software, credit card process, everything from scratch in a short time period. It was a tough, tough period to get through.

And yet here we are 41 days later with sold out events in every single contest. It's Opening Day and everyone feels good about what's ahead for the NFBC. It might be the most amazing six week stretch in my professional career and in Tom's. It's been one helluva roller-coaster ride over the last three months, but now that it's done I've enjoyed the ride. I'm proud of everyone involved -- from LSI to STATS to Tom to Geoff to all of the NFBC participants -- and I can hardly wait for the NFBC season to begin. What a ride it's going to be for the next six months.

And I know the season is going to go so smoothly that I'm treating my family to a vacation in April, something I've never done before during the season. I know we're in good hands, so while you're cheering for Mickey Rivers I'm going to be visiting Mickey Mouse!!

Well, you get the point. Thanks all and enjoy the upcoming season.

Scott Boras · Post by **Scott Boras** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 2:58 am

Originally posted by Tom Kessenich:

quote:Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

You guys are the addicts and Tom and I are the pimps!! Hmmm ... [/QUOTE]Tom, that's a good look for you!

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 3:04 am

Well I already have the cowboy hat ...

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 3:10 am

I second Greg's point about Liberty Media. They didn't have to do what they did with us but their professionalism was exemplary and they made sure the process in terms of paving our way to regain our events and transition everything to STATS was as seamless as possible. It was not an easy time for anyone involved but given the difficult circumstances involved I definitely appreciate the work done by Liberty to enable Greg and I to regain our events and move forward with STATS.

Cowboy Joe · Post by **Cowboy Joe** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 3:21 am

Thanks to Tom, Greg & all the folks behind the scenes for keeping this great hobby going. Play ball.

ALL-IN JD · Post by **ALL-IN JD** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 3:29 am

Greg,

Not trying to be negative in anyway but are there any concerns what so ever in running FAAB the first weekend? I am only asking because of the challenges from last year's first FAAB.

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 3:36 am

Originally posted by ALL-IN JD:

Greg,

Not trying to be negative in anyway but are there any concerns what so ever in running FAAB the first weekend? I am only asking because of the challenges from last year's first FAAB. We don't anticipate any problems, Jeff. STATS ran FAAB without any issues for our first six seasons before we went to Fanball. This isn't a new site that's been developed as was the case with Fanball. This is the system that was in place for years that worked without issues.

ALL-IN JD · Post by **ALL-IN JD** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 3:48 am

Agreed, and could not be happier!!

mattjb · Post by **mattjb** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 4:03 am

I'm so excited for the start of the season...and for me with baseball that is a totally new experience.

Outlaw · Post by **Outlaw** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 5:45 am

I'll say one thing about Liberty Media - they made good on all the Free Entry prizes within the last month. And I'm sure Greg probably had something to do with that happening. Thanks to Greg and Tom for getting NFBC up and running and without any major issues. Amazing Job!

Sack · Post by **Sack** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 5:59 am

Greg:

Anaheim or Orlando?

Tom: Great stuff. Appreciate all the hard work you've put in to make NYC run as well as it did. Chip and I had a blast. We thank you for making this work for us as late as you did.

Geoff Stein: Solid work Online. We always know you are there for us Online and decisions are fair. Glad you are feeling better man, we appreciate all you do for us in regards to the drafts.

[ March 31, 2011, 12:01 PM: Message edited by: Sack ]

Jim Christie · Post by **Jim Christie** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 10:12 am

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

quote:Originally posted by Glenneration X:

By the way, does anyone have a remedy for draft withdrawal?

Yes, it's called NFBC Second Chance Leagues. The first drafts will be held around May 1st at different price levels. These are new this year, but you can tell from the name what they are meant to be. We'll have some more around June 1st and July 1st. You guys are the addicts and Tom and I are the pimps!!

We'll take care of your fix this season, Glenn, no worries.

[/QUOTE]anyone who needs any counseling, just contact me

ScottieBaseball · Post by **ScottieBaseball** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 2:28 pm

Thanks to you guys too, its going to be a fun time! Going to the Cubs home opener tomorrow, can't wait!

Good luck to everyone...