SUPPORT THE NFFC AND FFPC IN 2011

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Wed Aug 17, 2011 12:39 am

This is a very, very, very tough time for our industry and the great players who supported the live events model over the last decade. A great concept was developed by two pretty damn smart entrepreneurs named Lenny Pappano and Emil Kadlec back in 2002 and the plan was so ingenious that most people thought it would never work!!! But hard work, a sound business plan and a fantastic following from great customer bases led to the creation of the World Championship of Fantasy Football and a new model called the high-stakes, live events model was born.

Others -- like myself with the NFBC/NFFC -- have followed since then, but no other event could quite duplicate what they created. It was ingenious, it was successful, it was fantastic for the players, and it was profitable. It was an amazing run by Lenny and Emil and as everyone knows, I tip my hat to them. I followed, they led. I had a big company backing me financially from the start, they used their own money to start this venture and only profited after the first year loss.

For the next eight years after that debut event in 2002, the so-called high-stakes market grew each and every year. There were 552 teams in 2002 WCOFF (I was in league 47 and drafted in the Friday Night Experts League at the ESPN Zone) and by 2010 there were more than 1,700 teams among three different contests. Yes, the competitors saw the model and arose, which happens in every growing industry. It was understandable that competition would nip at their heels, but it was unfathomable what was to happen next. Nobody saw what happened recently coming, at least not to this extent.

I wish I could say that there would be three events this year like there was last year, but it looks like nothing will be the same again in this space. Players have gone unpaid to date from that contest, questions have gone unanswered, potential sales have admittedly fallen through, and now players are left with fewer choices and less money to re-invest in the space than expected. It's a bad, bad time for all of us. What was started in 2002 was an incredible trust between consumer and game operator and that trust has been broken now. For some players, it can never be repaired.

That being said, I'm here to ask those same players to not leave this great hobby or this great live events model. There still is nothing quite like showing up at a live draft with dozens and even hundreds of like-minded folks in the same room with the same passion and the same will to win as you. There's nothing quite like the camaraderie of sitting across the table from other players wearing different NFL jerseys and wanting the same players you want. There's nothing quite like the thrill of chasing that six-figure grand prize through 16 weeks of an NFL season. That thrill and that passion and that enjoyment can still be there. Just with other contests.

People are clinging onto the hope that 2002 can return with the same contest, but I don't believe it can. I hope they find a solution TODAY to pay everyone in full. I hope they can keep the venues and the back-end provider and the customers after they pay everyone TODAY, but I don't think they can. I hope they can honestly state what they can and can't do for 2011 TODAY so that folks can finally make plans so that two seasons aren't ruined instead of one. I hope for honesty TODAY.

I have been passionate about the fact that the HSFF space could be forever affected by this mess and it's happening in front of our eyes. The two remaining contests have half the total number of participants from last year. You likely have 800+ teams sitting on the sidelines either planning to play somewhere or leaving this crazy space for at the very least the time being. Maybe forever.

That's why I'm saying to players now: Support one of the remaining HSFF contests left this year and stay with us. Don't leave the space. Don't compare every game operator to your last one. Don't lose that trust entirely. There are still two good options out there and whether you play online or draft in Las Vegas, New York or Chicago, there are good options out there. We have all kinds of different options here at the NFFC and we've got a proven track record of paying in full and on time and we have a major media company in STATS LLC backing ALL OF OUR PRIZES. And the FFPC will be in Las Vegas with the NFFC that first weekend of the NFL season to provide quality contests and live events that you can trust and enjoy as well.

Right now, I'm asking fantasy players to support one or both. I can honestly say that you can't go wrong in either one. Don't leave the space; trust us both if you can. The two Las Vegas events on Sept. 8-10 are being held at the Bellagio (NFFC) and Caesar's (FFPC). They are right down the hall from each other -- okay, it's a big hall, but they are next door -- and folks can easily draft in both 12-Team Main Events if they'd like. Both contests have FOUR different Main Event times that weekend, so you can still get your fix multiple times in different formats and still win $300,000+ among the various contests. I'm asking everyone to support one of these remaining options and hopefully both if you can.

Las Vegas won't be the same because of the latest happenings in our industry. But the fun can be even better. The prize money can be even better and this time you'll receive it in full and on time. The camaraderie and experience can be even better. The competition can definitely be even better. It's still all there for you to enjoy. It's just not with the same people.

As Tom has stated before, the choices left for these players now are simple:

A. Play the NFFC (Classic or Primetime formats over 2 different weekends)
B. Play the FFPC
C. Play both contests
D. Play neither and leave the space

I am asking those remaining 800+ teams to choose C and I promise you won't be disappointed. These contests won't disappoint you at all. You will enjoy your time online or live. Las Vegas on the first weekend of the NFL season will still be like Christmas Day and New Year's Eve rolled into one. You can still have a great, great time with friends and family while drafting in Las Vegas. It's still all there for you, just with different folks.

I'm sorry for what has happened to those winners who went unpaid. The NFFC has a discount offer for those folks if they want to take advantage of it. But more importantly, we just want you to stay in the space and not leave because of what happened. We don't blame you if you did, but right now I think both remaining contest operators just want you to stay and give us your trust again. Neither one of us are fighting for you; we both just want you to stay. Play 1 of us or play both of us, just stay and support this great side of our hobby. Without the customers, we all really will lose. Thanks for considering us and expect quick payments if you have another winning season in 2011. Good luck.

[ August 17, 2011, 06:45 AM: Message edited by: Greg Ambrosius ]

Erok · Post by **Erok** » Wed Aug 17, 2011 1:42 am

Well said.

Sad what has happened in the last few years, but hopefully the rotten apples are now out of the industry so the best are now left standing for years to come!

BillyWaz · Post by **BillyWaz** » Wed Aug 17, 2011 2:51 am

ABSOLUTELY!!!!

Have 100% faith in both the NFFC and FFPC paying on time. Have played in NFFC since 2004, and FFPC since 2009 and have NEVER worried about getting my money each and every year.

The crooks at WCOFF are an embarrassment to the industry, and hopefully they will get what is coming to them.

NFFC and FFPC have had outstanding customer service and their payouts are QUICK since the inception of both contests.

You know you are going to miss it, if you don't play, so SIGN UP TODAY!!

[ August 17, 2011, 08:53 AM: Message edited by: BillyWaz ]

DoubleG · Post by **DoubleG** » Wed Aug 17, 2011 3:11 am

Ditto.
I'd feel safe putting my money with NFFC as well as FFPC (even though I don't agree with all their business practices).

venoots · Post by **venoots** » Wed Aug 17, 2011 4:36 am

the problrm is my money is tied up with the wcoff-$5200 and I as I am sure many players are hands are tied, I refuse to pay for a league on a credit card. So I am out for 2011

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Wed Aug 17, 2011 4:39 am

Any chance that Greg and Tom play in the FFPC, and Alex and Dave play in the NFFC?

texasducks69 · Post by **texasducks69** » Wed Aug 17, 2011 5:05 am

Originally posted by King of Queens:
Any chance that Greg and Tom play in the FFPC, and Alex and Dave play in the NFFC? I think there is a much greater chance of all or part of this happening than Dustin showing his face at the next FSTA meeting.

BillyWaz · Post by **BillyWaz** » Wed Aug 17, 2011 5:10 am

Originally posted by The Yellow Line is Unofficial:
quote:Originally posted by King of Queens:
Any chance that Greg and Tom play in the FFPC, and Alex and Dave play in the NFFC? I think there is a much greater chance of all or part of this happening than Dustin showing his face at the next FSTA meeting. [/QUOTE]If Dustin actually does show up in Vegas.....I give him 50/50 on whether he makes it out unharmed.......seriously.

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Wed Aug 17, 2011 5:17 am

Originally posted by King of Queens:
Any chance that Greg and Tom play in the FFPC, and Alex and Dave play in the NFFC? We're working with FFPC to finalize plans for David Dodds to take a 3pack in our Online Championship while Greg and I take a 3pack in the FFPC event. We need to finalize our draft dates and that's probably the toughest thing. Who has time to draft right now?

Well besides you guys, of course.

[ August 17, 2011, 11:18 AM: Message edited by: Tom Kessenich ]