General Manager, Consumer Fantasy Games, SportsHub Games Network; Founder of NFBC & NFFC; FSTA & FSWA Hall of Famer; die-hard Packers fan, proud father of three
Does anyone have any idea how little interest the TV networks had toward fantasy sports before
@MatthewBerryTMR
blew that door down at ESPN? He did it on his own. Matt doesn't get ENOUGH CREDIT for expanding fantasy sports to mainstream media. C'mon folks.
Then why don’t you? Ppl say that but then don’t put in the work. Anyone could have done what I did. Sent cold email to Rotoworld in 99. Wrote free for 4+ yrs. Built big enough audience to start my own blog (w/ no $) in 04. Then built THAT up to a point where ESPN bought it in 07.
I hate to keep harping on this, but why the hell doesn't Major League Baseball have games around the clock on TV during this pandemic? Why does every game have to start at night? Screw the TV ratings, let's overload baseball fans with 12-14 hours a day of televised games, right?
RIP Meatloaf, one of the most enthusiastic fantasy players I've ever met. He was a Charter Member of
@TheNFBC
and NFFC and he competed live in both events in Las Vegas in 2004 and 2005. He was like a big kid at the live events who loved the camaraderie as much as the competition.
@BobCramutola
won the 2022
@TheNFBC
Main Event overall title and the $175,000 grand prize. Now he wants to do something special for others. He's giving away 10 NFBC $125 Main Event Qualifier teams to players who have never played in the Main Event before. Does that interest you?
We have 8
@TheNFBC
Main Event leagues drafting at once in the Mirage Grand Ballrooms with a $200,000 grand prize on the line. Don’t you wish you were here?
We are honored to announce today that
@jpausma
has become the 8th person to be inducted into
@TheNFBC
's Hall of Fame. John is a two-time NFBC national champion who has won 64 league titles. Kudos John, it's one hell of a resume.
Who was the first player you ever drafted in fantasy sports? Go ahead and show your age here!! Mine was Jerry Rice in football and Benito Santiago in baseball (I joined an existing league and took Benito 2nd in the rookie draft). Who were your first picks?
It’s time to officially congratulate
@PhilDussault27
for one of the most dominating
@TheNFBC
seasons in our 18 year history. He won the Main Event overall title. He won the Auction Championship overall title. He finished Second overall in the Rotowire Online Championship.
A new NEWS ALERT: The NFBC Main Event officially SOLD OUT with 47 leagues and 705 teams. This is up from 43 leagues and 645 teams from last year. It also marks the 18th straight year that the Main Event has sold out. And DURING A DAMN LOCKOUT TOO!! Very proud. Well done everyone.
This isn’t bragging, just stating a fact: If you want the best fantasy baseball experience and want to compete against the best fantasy players in the country you join
@TheNFBC
Main Event and preferably live. There’s nothing better.
MLB owners could agree to everything MLBPA has on the table right now and declare victory. Free agency remains at 6 years of service. Expanded playoffs. Still the lowest minimum wage of the four pro sports (lower than NHL). Super 2 still intact. Call it a day owners and Play Ball
Thirty years ago today (damn, 1989) I started my first day on the job at Krause Publications. I was hired to be the editor of the industry's first national newsstand magazine, something we called Fantasy Baseball Magazine. It was a move that changed my life.
Are you ready for some baseball? The first
@thenfbc
draft of the season looks like this:
1. Trout
2. Betts
3. Acuna
4. Jose Ramirez
5. Lindor
6. Scherzer
7. Altuve
8. Turner
9. JD Martinez
10. Yelich
11. Baez
12. Bregman
13. Arenado
14. Machado
15. Harper
Thoughts?
NEWS ALERT:
@TheNFBC
has sold out for an 18th straight season with 670 teams, but I received emails, texts and calls from people who waited too long and couldn't get in. We have opened 2 more Online leagues and then we're done: Wednesday, 9 pm ET and Thursday, 9 am ET.
One very important lesson learned today: I look forward to the next industry draft and competing against the best of the best. But more than beating every one of them, I just want to see them all again the next year. That would be a win for all of us.
@lawrmichaels
It's now official:
@TheNFBC
will be hosting live drafts at the Bellagio Las Vegas March 25-31. Plan accordingly and we'll see you there. We are also officially at the Stewart Hotel New York March 19-21 and at the Sheraton Northbrook Chicago March 19-20. Can't wait!!
I have very few talents, but my lovely wife has many. Here she is after catching a 35-inch musky, her first musky, while fishing with my son in Three Lakes, WI.
To put as much time and energy into this industry as is needed, you need the perfect spouse. I found that person. Happy 30th wedding anniversary to my Chris!!
Big News:
@TheNFFC
will switch from individual kickers to Team Kickers for Classic, Primetime, Silver Bullet and all high-dollar private leagues for 2020. Due to Covid-19, it's the right move to avoid zeroes at that spot and for roster construction.
The NFBC had another record-breaking season in '24:
Over 22,700 paid teams
855 Main Event teams
2,740 Rotowire OC teams
5,025 Draft Champions teams
1,800 Gladiator teams
3,510 $50 DC teams
1,290 Cutline teams
And on and on. A BIG THANKS to the NFBC community! Now Play Ball!!
@heykayadams
You've done great interviews now with Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones and Jamal Williams. I think it's time you come to the Dark Side, give up those Bears/Saints loyalties and join Packer Nation!! What do you say?
I just looked at the MLB Opening Day schedule and see the first game on Friday is at 4 pm ET. Why?? Why didn't MLB start with noon ET games, then 4 pm, then 7 pm, then 10 pm. Why aren't they filling the whole day with baseball? They should DOMINATE the airwaves now. Dammit.
Congrats to
@Michael_Fabiano
for winning his
@thenffc
Primetime league title and the $7,000 league prize. Fabs was playing for Conner's Cure and he will donate all $7,000 to
@TheVFoundation
. We raised more than $15,000 for this cause in 2021 and will do even better in 2022.
About $4 million in prizes less than 2 days after the MLB season. I think we're getting good at this!! Enjoy and congrats to all of the money winners in the 2021 NFBC.
@Shawn__Childs
and I are ready for tonight’s LABR NL auction league from West Palm Beach, FL. This is my 30th year in LABR as the only original owner in this league. Let’s do this!!!
I'll admit that today is a great day as we watch everyone post their
@TheNFBC
finishes and talk about the grind they had. Baseball is special. We have the best community of die-hard players in the industry and a lot of great people. It makes 19 years of hard work all worthwhile.
The 20th anniversary of
@TheNFBC
live events in New York City is underway at Dave & Busters with the $1500 Auction Championship. We are off and rolling!!!
Rest in peace
@lawrmichaels
. He was so passionate about the fantasy sports industry and so excited to see it grow. He played a big part in that as someone who was involved for 20+ years. Sorry we can't talk about baseball or music again Lawr. You will be missed.
Just devastated to hear the news about my friend
@lawrmichaels
, who passed away today. Such a joy to be around. Did so much for fantasy sports and the people involved in it. I already miss him.
Separation has been good for
@Chris_Liss
and
@Jeff_Erickson
. Each won an
@TheNFFC
Primetime league title this year!! $7,000 each with shots at the $250,000 grand prize. Well done boys!!
Lived there a decade, but still think it's amazing that this little burgh with 100,000 people in central Wisconsin has an NFL team (and one of the best ones).
#GreenBay
We debuted our High Stakes Fantasy podcast today with 2021 NFBC Main Event and Auction Championship winner
@PhilDussault27
. Phil entered 22 NFBC leagues last year, won 17 league titles and cashed in EVERY League. Is it the greatest high-stakes season ever?
Only two RBs had more than 18 fantasy points in Week 9 through Sunday's games: Dalvin Cook (39.2) and Christian McCaffrey (37.1). It was so bad this week for fantasy RBs that Kalen Ballage had the fourth most points. Sheesh.
We are proud to announce today the newest inductees to
@TheNFFC
Hall of Fame:
@ffbfan
and
@CoyoteStreakers
. Congrats Kurt Kuekes and Mike Santos.
It's always fun to chop it up with Rotowire's
@Chris_Liss
, but he surprised me with his announcement that he was leaving the company. I wish all the best to one of the best.
My second dose of Pfizer is in my old arm and I couldn't be happier. Thanks to everyone who developed, distributed and administered this so quickly. Now watch out because I'm in a hugging mood and
@TheNFFC
drafts in Las Vegas aren't far away!!! Can't wait.
His wife told me that Bill called her the love of his life, but sports were his mistress, especially baseball. I told her this morning that Bill won $25,000 in the Cutline Championship and she couldn’t believe it. Bill was having the best NFBC season of his career.
RIP to longtime NFC player Bill Strickler, who passed away 2 weeks ago.
Bill was in the top 3 of the OC overall just 2 weeks ago. He just won 2nd overall in Cutline last night.
Fantasy and sports were a big part of Bill’s life. Rest In Peace, Bill.
Fifteen industry writers are competing in an NFBC Draft Champions League. Here's the first 5 rounds of this draft with Jeff Zimmerman as the defending champ. All snide comments are welcome!!
This was such a great gesture by
@BobCramutola
that
@TheNFBC
will comp at least 5 more $125 Main Event Qualifier entries. I received dozens of emails in a matter of minutes and everyone was passionate to try to win a ME entry. Let me pick 5 more winners and add to Bob's gift.
@BobCramutola
won the 2022
@TheNFBC
Main Event overall title and the $175,000 grand prize. Now he wants to do something special for others. He's giving away 10 NFBC $125 Main Event Qualifier teams to players who have never played in the Main Event before. Does that interest you?
The first
@TheNFBC
pay draft of the season is underway:
1. Acuna
2. Yelich
3. Trout
4. Turner
5. Bellinger
6. Betts
7. Bregman
8. Lindor
9. Cole
10. Story
11. deGrom
12. Verlander
13. Soto
14. Arenado
15. Tatis
Let The Games Begin!
Not to put any more pressure on this celebrity team of
@mikethemiz
and
@JamesRoday
, but we have an anonymous NFFC owner who will MATCH dollar for dollar their winnings/payments to
@TheVFoundation
. That means a potential $414,000 total donation to charity!! No pressure guys.
Hey fantasy football players: Do you want to do something good collectively as an industry? Here’s our call to action to raise money for
@TheVFoundation
through an NFFC Primetime league featuring a team co-owned by
@mikethemiz
&
@JamesRoday
. More info:
The moral of today's Twitter story is that we're all passionate about season-long fantasy baseball and we want it to grow and grow and grow. The NFBC is having another record year, while offering so many different playing formats. That's good for us, you and the industry.
The Brewers saved $750,00 this year and LOST a home grown Cy Young winner who will definitely leave after this season. What a classic fail by the organization.
Every fear that going to an arbitration hearing against Corbin Burnes could harm his relationship with the Brewers was founded.
“There’s no denying that the relationship is definitely hurt from what [transpired],” Burnes said.
You can’t put on first class live events without a first class staff.
@TheNFFC
is lucky to have the best facilitators and the best auctioneer
@DFWSportsbeat
in the industry. Love you all.
Congrats to
@batflipcrazy
and
@PhilDussault27
as they each won three NFBC Main Event league titles in 2020. Winning one 15-team league in our format is hard enough; winning three each is incredible. Well done gents.
So where was the sweet spot to draft from in fantasy baseball drafts this year? According to
@TheNFBC
Main Event, it was No. 11. Eight of 38 league champs came from that spot and the majority of champs came from picks 11-15.
After two weeks of hosting live events, auctions, parties and dinners in Las Vegas and New York City, even yours truly and
@GodfatherNFBC
give the season two thumbs up!!
All I can say is THANK YOU to everyone who participated in
@TheNFBC
contests this year. Our 20th anniversary season was a record year, as I explain here: And it's possible that we could return to Las Vegas for two draft weekends in 2024. What do you think?
The demise of season-long fantasy baseball has been greatly exaggerated.
@TheNFBC
’s participation numbers have increased every year since 2004. Yes it’s an older demographic, but it’s a passionate audience.
A small sample of active Fantasy Baseball players (with actual supported data) is the growing
@TheNFBC
In 2018 there were 10,057 sign ups and 791 leagues.
In 2019 there are 12,652 sign ups and 986 leagues. 📈
What could the MLBPA offer the owners as a counter proposal that would save Opening Day? How about agreeing to play under the old CBA as talks continue in good faith and owners agree to certain revenue increases until deal is struck. End the lockout, keep negotiating & Play Ball.
Hang in there everyone. We need to keep everyone home and safe for now, so look for an announcement soon. Maybe we reschedule live drafts/auctions for different dates or maybe we do all online this year. We'll figure that out shortly. Thanks all and stay safe.
Shout out to
@GregAmbrosius
and
@TomKessenich
of
@TheNFBC
.
This is an enormously hard day and week for them, given the severity and the very short timing.
Thank you both for how you've handled everything. You have my support on all of your decisions.
I'm most happy for me too!!! 😂 No, I'm happy for baseball fans in general and our
@TheNFBC
community especially. Thanks for hanging in there everyone as signups are pouring in right now. Let's never, ever, ever take baseball or our live events for granted again. Be there.
And a special shout-out to
@TomKessenich
,
@GeoffreyStein
and Brian Bolf for filling and watching and managing and calling folks to get into the draft room in over 1,600 online drafts. These guys are All-Stars and we should all thank them. Just an unbelievable team we have here!!
The NFBC had another record-breaking season in '24:
Over 22,700 paid teams
855 Main Event teams
2,740 Rotowire OC teams
5,025 Draft Champions teams
1,800 Gladiator teams
3,510 $50 DC teams
1,290 Cutline teams
And on and on. A BIG THANKS to the NFBC community! Now Play Ball!!
The last
@TheNFBC
live event at the Mirage in Las Vegas was the $1500 Auction Championship league with this awesome crew. Finished it all in less than 4 fun hours!!
I couldn't hold back any longer: It's now official. The grand prize for the 2023
@TheNFBC
Main Event will be a record $200,000!! The right prize for our 20th anniversary season seemed to be $200,000, so let's do it. Announcement here:
This is as good as it gets at our
@TheNFFC
live events with father-son drafting a championship team together. Thankfully Joseph is the brains of this operation!!
@GlennLowy
If MLB were smart, they'd put the Futures Game on primetime TONIGHT. Why do they hide the game that features the game's next stars on a Saturday when all 30 MLB teams are playing? Showcase that game tonight when the stage is theirs, right?
Congrats to
@GekkoIndustries
as he won two
@TheNFBC
Main Event league titles this year to give him a record of 12 league titles since 2004.
@Quahogz
is second with 11 league titles after winning one title in 2022. Check out the top Main Event players here:
After that Ultimate League, he asked me if he could invest in the NFBC. I told him no because it was owned by Krause Publications at the time. I then asked him to sign a baseball and he wrote "Greg, Give Me %. Meat." He knew it was going to be big. And I treasure that item.
In 2005 at the Rio in Las Vegas, Meat competed in the $1250 NL Auction on Friday, the Main Event on Saturday and our debut $5,000 Ultimate Auction league on Sunday. After the Ultimate he said "Greg, do you have any more auctions?" I love these!! He was ready for another one.
Due to MLB's lockout,
@TheNFBC
has taken the necessary step to guarantee all early signups should the season be shortened drastically. Here's our guarantee:
If nothing else good comes of this season, at least the Packers appear to have found their franchise QB. And they have surrounded him with some solid WRs and TEs. Now the defense is another story!!
Anytime you want to do the math give me a call. We pay between 80 and 95% in prizes for all of our contests. Stats, licensing fees, live event hotel space, food & beverage, full-time employees, IT is all needed to run first-class events and contests. That's where the "rake" goes.
Packers are 18-18-1 in Aaron Rodgers' last 37 starts and 4-10-1 in their last 15 games. A change was not only inevitable it was NECESSARY. This offense is stale and it needs a new play caller and better play from its star QB.
Earning FREE
@TheNFBC
$125 Main Event Qualifier entries courtesy of
@BobCramutola
were:
Dhanani Riaz
Alex Chamberlain
James Bisson
Joe Orrico
Marc Rod
Greg Shirron
Jason Kufs
Nick Seveny
Sean Thomas Blott
Marshall Witsberger
All could win a FREE 2024 Main Event entry. Good luck.
With the New York Live Events now a wrap, it's time to turn our attention to Las Vegas. All the action begins on Thursday. We're looking forward to seeing everyone for what promises to be our BIGGEST weekend in Sin City EVER.
Okay New York
@TheNFBC
players: Here’s one of our draft rooms for March 17-19. This Dave & Busters space on 42nd street is ideal for two drafts at a time. I’m in New York now to sign the deal.
GREAT NEWS for the fantasy football industry today: SportsHub Technologies has acquired the MFL10s. More players will now be able to play these great best-ball contests. Here's the details:
We have a super show tonight on the High Stakes Fantasy Advantage as
@mikethemiz
joins us at 10 pm ET to talk about his
@TheNFFC
Primetime Cancer Sucks League. Learn how Mike first got into fantasy football and why he wants to win the $200,000 grand prize so badly.
I’m heading to my home away from home today. Should be at the Bellagio Las Vegas soon, where I will host
@TheNFFC
live drafts and auctions through next Saturday. Best time of the year! See you there.
Here's one good thought to hold onto: IF the MLB lockout ends this week, the next 7 days will be a fun, wild ride with 100+ free agents signing and players arriving at camps "in the best shape of their lives." All of this will erase 87 days of this stupid lockout. Make it happen.
The
@RotoWire
Sprint Online Championship is officially sold out now with 960 teams and 80 full leagues. That's 960 teams in 21 days of signups. UNBELIEVABLE. Great job everyone and best of luck in the battle for the $25,000 grand prize.
@lucasbiery33
became one of the youngest
@TheNFBC
champions last year when he won the NFBC Online Auction Championship title at the age of 30. He explains that it wasn't easy beating so many of our grizzled veterans.
There's nothing like a live high-stakes fantasy football event and we think we put on a first-class event every year. Here's a look at how we did it this year at the Park MGM in Las Vegas:
I'm happy to announce today that
@TheNFBC
is partnering with
@FTNFantasy
this baseball season. FTN will be our presenting sponsor of the NFBC Cutline Championship, which has a $75,000 grand prize. Details here:
I've been in all 27 years of LABR Auction leagues since they were started in 1994 by John Hunt, and I have to say this one ranks as one of the best ever thanks to First Pitch Florida, which is here to stay. Kudos to
@RayHQ
,
@BrentHQ
and
@RonShandler
. Well done fellas.