Sports on the Web
Sportsline.com selling fantasy football cards over the counter
By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published August 22, 2003
"I have the gas on Pump 9, give me five Mega Money tickets, and oh, let me get one of those fantasy football teams, too."
It's not the conversation you're used to having at the local gas station, but next time you fill up, in there with the beef jerky and cheap lighters and silk roses is an entirely different kind of impulse buy.
Prepaid fantasy football league cards.
Sportsline.com, looking to boost interest in its best source of nonadvertising revenue, is selling wallet-size cards - much like prepaid long-distance phone cards - that give you a code to get a team in its fantasy football leagues.
The cards start at $12.95 for a single sport but are available in up to three seasons ($29.95) for fans who also want to play fantasy baseball, basketball or hockey. The novelty of selling a premium Internet product at retail counters makes it difficult to know what to expect in terms of sales and new fantasy customers.
"We're taking a wait-and-see approach," said spokesman Alex Riethmiller, noting the interest from major chains such as Wal-Mart and 7-Eleven is encouraging.
It's a clever move for Sportsline, which is reaching out to people who want to play fantasy football but are uncomfortable making purchases online. An informal survey of area stores Thursday showed lukewarm interest in a product customers are just beginning to notice.
"We haven't moved that much of them," said Mario Irigoyen, manager of a Tampa 7-Eleven. "I think I've probably sold one or two. It's so new that people don't know what to do about it yet."
Sportsline has tweaked its fantasy product with a new feature Bucs fans might appreciate. Instead of picking a team defense, some of its leagues allow buyers to choose individual players, earning points for their sacks, interceptions and touchdowns.
To no surprise, Sportsline's fantasy rankings have the Bucs defense first. Martin Gramatica, tabbed sixth among NFL kickers, is the only Bucs player in the top 15 at his position.
CHEAT SHEET: For fantasy owners prepping for drafts in the next week, a helpful online resource is ESPN.com's live draft results, which tabulate the average draft position of players in all their fantasy leagues. Miami's Ricky Williams has a slight edge on San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson for the highest average selection, and impressively, the Bucs defense is being selected ahead of Packers quarterback Brett Favre.
The listings also show how players are rising or falling over the past week, and Falcons star Michael Vick has dropped to 10th since breaking his leg. This week's top gainer is Eagles running back Correll Buckhalter, who stands to benefit most from starter Duce Staley's prolonged holdout.
TID-BYTES: In case you haven't seen the commercial 10,000 times, ESPN's new drama Playmakers has its own page at ESPN.com. The new winner of World's Tiniest Disappointment is the fact the page's "Theme Music" link is, alas, "Coming Soon." ... SI.com unveiled a sleek new look this week with a drop down sport-by-sport menu that makes for easy navigation with a single click. The only sacrifice is fewer news headlines on the main page. ... USopen.org has several cool charity auctions, including the chance to own the actual nets from the singles finals on center court and the championship-used tennis balls. The big package has airfare, hotel and tickets for next year's Open, plus a 45-minute tennis lesson given in Arthur Ashe Stadium during the 2004 tournament.
- If you have a question or comment about the Internet or a site to suggest, e-mail staff writer Greg Auman at auman@sptimes.com
Baseball
Ailing Pujols expecting to return today
AL: Chisox take over in Central
NL: Houston gains breathing room
College footballNo letdowns
FSU's AD disputes findings
CollegesFormer Washington coach sues school, NCAA
GolfHoly matrimony! Curtis in lead at NEC Invitational
In briefJudge limits release of Bryant court records
Little LeagueMass. reaches U.S. final
MotorsportsTeams get behind CART
Wallace to honor Kulwicki at Bristol
NFLSluggish Steelers edge Cowboys
OutdoorsDaily fishing report
Hometown Horsepower
Preps10 Pressing questions
Sports on the AirLittle League coverage is to be praised
Sports on the WebSportsline.com selling fantasy football cards over the counter
RaysRays let a win bounce away
Onus is on Kennedy to reclaim ace status
BucsTupa back in form at right time
Roster spots are at stake against Jags
