Every four years, the World Cup captivates soccer fans and non-soccer fans alike for the better part of four weeks. It could be because you’re rooting for your home country, or perhaps you have money riding on the outcome of the games. If the latter is the case, there’s a perfect website for you.
Launched in 2013, fantasygol.com is the first website dedicated to fantasy soccer. It offers daily and weekly contests, both free and paid. Though the Premier League and Champions League have been big draws for the site, the World Cup is expected to boost activity tremendously.
The concept for the site originated in Guatemala in the mid-’90s, by Daniel Picciotto, whose father was a huge soccer fan.
“It all began with the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. I remember my father sending his score predictions for the games through a fax machine,” Picciotto told The Rumble’s David Satriano.
“The Internet boom, some 16 years later, was a game-changer. I realized I could develop an Internet-based score predictor. After months of developing the application in a small office space in Guatemala, muchofut.com was born.”
The problem back then was fantasy sports wasn’t the business it is today. The idea for the site evolved into fantasygol.com, which is a registered company in the United States but operates out of Guatemala.
Jason Turton, also a co-owner of the site, and friend of Picciotto’s, knew this eventually would take off.
“I always believed this idea was a diamond in the rough,” he said. “It had a lot of potential, and most importantly, I knew that if we didn’t take it upon ourselves to develop it, someone else would.”
Now, a few weeks before the first kicks are set to take place in Brazil, soccer fans can draft their own rosters and play against their friends or others for free or cash prizes.
“Our goal is to bring excitement and engagement to all the soccer fans out there,” Turton said.
Seth Young, who joined the site as a consultant in 2013 and also is the COO of Star Fantasy Leagues, added: “These guys are very smart, and they’re also very tenacious. They really love what they’re building. What’s not to love?”
Mets fans have a Banner Day
One of the things former Met Dwight Gooden loved about pitching at the old Shea Stadium was “Banner Day.”
The 2014 edition of Banner Day will be held before Sunday’s 1:10 p.m. doubleheader with Arizona. The day holds a lot of fond memories for Doc.
“I always used to sit in the dugout and watch the banners go by,” Gooden said. “You never could tell what the fans would come up with. They were always nice to me with the ‘K’ banners. The fans always put a lot of hard work into the banners. It was always something to see.”
Participants for Banner Day must check in at the Bullpen Plaza on 126th Street at 37th Avenue. Registration begins at 10 a.m. Banners must be bigger than 22 inches by 28 inches. There is a maximum of four people per banner.
Documentary celebrates rise of black Olympians
The documentary film “The Renaissance Period of the African American in Sports,” which premiered at Lincoln Center on May 15, will begin a year-long tour of colleges and universities, including traditionally African American institutions, during the fall semester. It will begin at the University of Pittsburgh. Sponsored by Moet/Hennessy USA, the film, which centers on the nine black athletes who dominated in track and field at the 1936 Olympics, is the brainchild of Herb Douglas, the l948 Olympic bronze medalist who is now 92 and the oldest living African-American Olympian in the country. It is introduced by 2012 gymnastics gold medalist Gabby Douglas (no relation).
Devoted Devils fans to get new jerseys
The Devils are planning to take their fan-loyalty program to the next level. During the offseason, the Devils will reward their faithful with an exclusive Devils jersey. Fans who have held season tickets for more than five years will have the chance to customize the jersey using unique official team patches representing the three Stanley Cup victories.
Season-tickets holder also will have the chance to add a tenure patch to display their years of loyalty to the club. Those who renew for the 2014-15 season will receive one customized jersey per seat. Jerseys will be given out before the start of next season.
The Devils have a season-ticket base of close to 10,000 fans with approximately 500 ticket holders who have been with the organization for more than 20 years. This includes over 150 original charter members of the Devils family since 1982.
“Our commitment to improving our fan-loyalty program is nine months in at this point, and our focus remains to create a world-class and customized experience for each and every Devils fan that sets foot into the Prudential Center,” Devils and Prudential Center CEO Scott O’ Neil told The Rumble. “Our fans deserve nothing short of the best from our organization and we plan to deliver.”
NYC stars aplenty in Kids Choice awards
New York may be devoid of titles, but it looks like kids still love area athletes, at least according to Nickelodeon. Big Apple athletes earned 10 nominations for the first-ever Kids Choice Sports Awards, more than any other city.
From Derek Jeter (Best Male Athlete) to Victor Cruz (Party Like A Superstar for his salsa moves), the awards will look to find out who the nation’s young people think are the best and brightest faces in professional sports. Henrik Lundqvist was one of five athletes — along with Skylar Diggins, Serena Williams, Adrian Peterson and Cam Newton — to earn more than one nomination, while Amar’e Stoudemire was nominated for “King of Swag” for his stylish work on and off the court. Michael Strahan is hosting and executive producing the event with Nick as well.
Beginning June 12, kids will be able to cast their votes in all 15 categories on Nick.com/sports with the awards being revealed live on Nickelodeon on July 1