First-Ever AFL Fantasy Games Debut for 2004 Season
December 16, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
NEW YORK - The Arena Football League has extended the fantasy football season by launching AFL fantasy football games for the 2004 season, a first in league history. The AFL has partnered with SandboxPlus to develop, produce, implement and manage the AFL's fantasy football program through 2005.
Research indicates that more than 13 million people participate in fantasy football games. With the AFL's new games, fantasy football no longer ends in January.
"We're excited to be working with SandboxPlus to bring our fans a new avenue to participate in Arena Football," said MARC LOWITZ, AFL Vice President of Broadcasting and New Media. "In addition to following their favorite AFL players in the arena and on NBC every weekend, our fans will now be able to draft their own teams and compete in the AFL online with all of their friends."
Fans can register for AFL fantasy games at the AFL's Official Web site, www.arenafootball.com or by logging on at www.AFLFantasy.com.
The AFL will offer two free games -- a Salary Cap Game and an ArenaBowl Playoff Challenge -- and one premium game, AFL Full Fantasy Football.
The Salary Cap Game allows fans to assume the fantasy role of general manager of their own AFL team, compete in up to 20-person groups and win weekly and grand prizes. , compete in up to 20-person groups, receive weekly statistical breakdowns, easy links to the week's biggest salary movers, play with no pop-up windows and are guaranteed customer-response service.
Premium AFL Full Fantasy Football allows fans to draft a roster, make trades with league mates, and pick up waiver-wire players. This game is included in an unparalleled, all-in-one opportunity for fans to play more than 20 other fantasy sports games provided by Sandbox Plus for $4.95 per month. Special six-month and eight-month packages are also available.
Features of AFL Full Fantasy Football include: cash prizes, head-to-head and fantasy point or strategy scoring, public or private leagues, easy multiple drafting formats, easy trading, cash prizes, and integrated fantasy news and analysis. ,
and live phone support.Fans will be able to follow their fantasy players and obtain statistical updates each weekend on NBC through fantasy line and game-score scrolls during each game broadcast.
"The AFL has a loyal and growing fan base, and their exposure on NBC can only help to get more people excited about Arena Football," said STEVE GELLER, Chief Operating Officer of Sandbox Plus. "The introduction of year- round fantasy football to our all-in-one SandboxPlus fantasy sports membership substantially increases the value we offer to bothour all our existing and new members. is league offers an exciting, fan-friendly sport that will make for fun fantasy football games. We are proud to be the exclusive provider of AFL fantasy football and are happy to have added three new AFL games to our membership."
Other AFL fantasy program enhancements: AFL news, message boards, and email updates including game previews and player and team analysis. Tickets, merchandise and auctions will also be incorporated into the new AFL fantasy games.
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