"WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE"
The Fantasy Football Tournament of Champions (FFTOC) by Dan LaBert
So, here we are. The summer months are finally upon us. For many that means the usual; trips to the beach, backyard bbqs, outdoor concerts, etc. However, there is a select group of us that knows the NFL season is just around the corner. In fact, it’s knocking on the door!
NOW is the time to start getting psyched up for the fantasy football season. What are you waiting for? If you want to win, you must prepare. C’mon, we all have our personal leagues we belong to but let me ask you this, are you ready to go to the next level? Are you ready to raise YOUR game?
Well, let me share a personal experience with you. This time last year I was in my SUV driving east on Route 78 in Pennsylvania when my cell phone went off. I picked up the phone; it was 4for4.com’s CEO Greg Alan. Greg and I go back a few years as friends and colleagues in the fantasy football industry. After the typical catch-up conversation, Greg asked me those same questions I mentioned to all of you earlier. “Dan, are you ready to go to the next level? Are you ready to raise your game?” “Of course” I answered “but what the heck are you talking about?” Greg went on to explain a contest that he was a part of. The Fantasy Football Tournament of Champions, better known as the FFTOC. (www.fantasyfootballtoc.com)
Greg explained the FFTOC’s new and exciting way to play fantasy football. He called it "Tournament-Style." After just a few minutes, I was fired up. That night, I registered my team.
Getting a feel for tournament style fantasy football was not hard at all. Simple concept actually. Think of it like a “Last Man Standing Pool” or a “Suicide Pool.” In those contests you choose one team to win each week and then you are never able to choose that team again. You must forecast your predictions. Research, research, research! Studying the NFL schedule, looking for the best match-ups.
Well, the FFTOC is no different! Except, you do it with fantasy line-ups. Just imagine being able to save Peyton Manning for that home game in week 12 against the NFL’s worst pass defense or lining up LT against a pathetic run defense in week 9. Essentially, you create an all star fantasy line-up each week using those players once and one time only.
Minor detail here I failed to mention. Of course, it was the love of fantasy sports that drew me into the FFTOC. But just in case you are not as psychotic as I am when it comes to football, the FFTOC boasts some serious cash prizes. Jim McVicar, the 2004 FFTOC champion, turned his $50 entry fee into $10,100. That’s not bad, not bad at all.
When I think back to my FFTOC 2004 season, one song and opening line comes to mind. “Welcome to the Jungle, we got fun and games” by Guns and Roses. The FFTOC is just that. It’s a jungle out there. 600 contestants all in it for the fun but at the same time, you have to watch your back in the jungle.
The FFTOC sold out in its first year and is currently accepting players for this season This year’s cash prizes value $150,000.00 with entries as low as $50. That’s a lot of “Benjamins” ladies and gentlemen for little investment.
Some things to consider…
ADVANTAGES of FFTOC-STYLE PLAY
- INJURIES: An early season injury won’t bring your season to a grinding halt
- ACCESS: You won’t be denied access to a key player due to arbitrary waiver wire rules
- RANDOM LUCK: no unlucky random draft spots and no random schedule bias
- STRATEGY: you can formulate a real playoff strategy to get hot in the FFTOC
FFTOC CONTEST ADVANTAGES
- Payouts up to 96%
- Entry fees as low as $50
- Beat 5-teams, Double Your Money!
- Only 600 managers per tournament
- No travel required, no blocking a calendar to get into draft
- Flexibility. Play for the regular season and you’ll double your money. Optimize your team for the playoffs and go for a huge FFTOC grand prize.
MyFFTOC – HAVE YOUR OWN FFTOC TOURNAMENT
In addition to national contests, the FFTOC has a League Management Commisioner Service, called MyFFTOC. This allows you to play the ‘Start Em Once’ format with your friends, co-workers and family. Running your own league with friends at MyFFTOC and playing “Start Em Once’ is a great way to find out who's really top gun.
I spoke with Greg Alan just a few weeks ago and assured him that Dan LaBert of Fantasy Tailgate.com will be back for the 2005 FFTOC season.
So, here’s my question to all of you, “will I see YOU in the jungle this year?” I’m waiting and so is the 2005 Fantasy Football Tournament of Champions. Visit www.fantasyfootballtoc.com and enter today!
Copyright © FantasyTailgate.com All rights reserved
FantasyTailgate.com is not in any way affiliated with, endorsed or licensed by the National Football League, any NFL team or NFLPA member.
Football Party Gear
