While the lyrics mean something completely different to Axle Rose (Guns N’ Roses), a line from “Welcome to The Jungle” is very befitting of what the Fantasy Jungle provides: “If you got the money honey, We got your disease”. OK, so maybe fantasy sports is not a disease, more of an “itch” that needs to be scratched. However, if you have the money, the Fantasy Jungle will certainly provide yet another fix to cure that fantasy appetite.
Sure, if you are looking for a high stakes fantasy league, there are several solid options out there – from the WCOFF to The Draft. However, both of those require your presence in Las Vegas, as the drafts in those two particular leagues are held live and in person. Add in the fact that many online sites do not follow through with what they offer – run by any ones best guess – and you are left with a minimal number of legit games to play (in the higher stakes realm anyway).
So, now you have decided to step up and try to win the big bucks, while also showing that you are a true master of the game. But, you find yourself not wanting to travel to ‘The Sin City’, and you are not sure who to trust online; now what?
Well folks, Sid has just reached an agreement with Michael Williams and Scott Gunaca, who run a new site called “The Fantasy Jungle”, in which one lucky EFS owner will win an entry into a league that does not require you to travel from home; and yes, they have a large payout. I know, that shady side of the many fantasy sites enters your mind - and why should you trust Michael and Scott? That is the reason for my writing this report, as I spent some time talking with Michael of the Jungle (known on the site as FJ Mike), and thought it most appropriate to pass along the great impression that I got.
In The Beginning
The co-founders of the Fantasy Jungle started this endeavor as fantasy players, looking to start a fantasy league that would follow through with the promises it made. They have each had success in playing fantasy football, finishing 19th in the WCOFF (2002), and 3rd in The Draft (2003) – also held in Las Vegas. For more information about the two, they each have a bio on the site (www.fantasyjungle.com).
The new venture of these two successful fantasy players had a somewhat rocky start, as they ended up filling only 72 spots of the 1000 they had hoped to draw. However, because these gentlemen were looking to change the view of those who had already signed up, they offered a larger payout than what 72 teams should have paid. This meant $15,000 to the overall winner, and they wound up giving out 102 percent of what was taken in.
I’m not impressed you say? Well then, further consider that they mailed checks to all winners on the Tuesday following the conclusion of their season. If you have never waited for prize money before, trust me when I say that it can be no fun. Even from a big site (no names – E.S.P.N.!!), where my payout was small, I had to wait better than two months to receive my minimal check.
Another sign that these guys really care about what they have created, and those that joined a Fantasy Jungle league, is the weekly “Fantasy Jungle Gazette” that is e-mailed to players each week. Michael sent me a copy of the Week 16 issue, in which he documented the change of lead among the top teams as the final NFL playoff games were being played.
The Benefits
I suppose that I have already covered two of the biggest benefits, that being a great payout along with a fast payment to the winners. Now, will Michael and Scott continue to pay out more than they take in? I think anyone who owns his or her own business can answer that question (that would be no). That fact is not a bad thing, as most every venture needs to turn a profit to not only keep the owners interested, but to continue to grow that business as well.
Now, what can you expect for the future in terms of a payout? Michael alluded to the fact that they plan on paying back between 75 and 80 percent in prize money; depending on how many teams they attract each year. I would also be inclined to believe that they will continue to cut the winners checks in an expeditious fashion.
The payout brings up another interesting point. That being the maximum number of teams that they will take on each year. If you signed up at cbs.sportsline.com (or anywhere else) for a shot at $25,000 – or whatever the number may be – and are only playing against a few hundred thousand other teams (sarcasm), then I wish you the best of luck. The Fantasy Jungle has no future plans of expanding past 1000 entrants at the max, so at least your chances here are much stronger, and involve more skill than luck.
They also offer a unique contest that begins with the NFL playoffs, their version of the “The Pro Bowl”. In a nutshell, you keep the team you had when the regular fantasy season ended and continue to set starters for each week of postseason play – through the Super Bowl. The top three prizes are a big screen TV, a trip for two to Las Vegas and a free entry into next year’s Fantasy Jungle league. Not bad considering it is included in your original $700 fee.
The Future
In talking with Michael, he and Scott have plans to branch out into at least baseball and basketball, with the first baseball draft coming this spring. He also left open the possibility of others sports and game formats, depending on the feedback and support they feel they could garner. In addition, all future plans are to conduct any and all drafts live, but on the Internet and not in person – something that should really appeal to the masses.
Moreover, the tremendous customer service that Michael and Scott strive for is something that will not likely go away. They have already started a “Gold Club” that will reward the original 72 football teams from 2003. One of those benefits is a chance to be in league 3006 here at EFS, another being a discount in future league entry fees. Another small gesture that they offer in an attempt to raise their sight to the top.
Final Thoughts
All things considered, I am not dogging on the WCOFF - or The Draft for that matter. In fact, I would love to play in both; alas, not all of us can make a yearly trip to Vegas in order to draft our fantasy team. So, what I am talking about here is a much cheaper and less time consuming alternative for those of you looking for a shot at winning a high dollar league. The plain and simple truth is that the Fantasy Jungle can provide all of that, and so much more.
You may also be wondering why an EFSNews writer is publishing an article on another league. First and foremost, I had Sid’s approval. Secondly, I personally see the EFS/Fantasy Jungle “marriage” as a positive thing, and far from being competition for one another. In fact, the two really compliment each other, as each provides a completely different format of the game. The Fantasy Jungle is a more traditional format with a big payout, while EFS provides a unique format in which you can become a true master of fantasy football. Lastly, I think this relationship can benefit both parties, as each hopes to see some membership increase from leagues 3030 and 3006.
Finally, if you are still not impressed, I’m not sure exactly how to excite you. While I did not talk to Scott, Michael gave me the utmost sense of being a true professional, and he is someone that I would have no problem sending a $700 check to. If you want further proof of their reliability, talk to Mike Grimm, as I understand he was an integral part of helping EFS and the Fantasy Jungle come together. You should also check out the message boards at the Fantasy Jungle, and ask a few owners for their impressions. All in all, I think the Fantasy Jungle could eventually attract the kind of attention that the WCOFF now has, only in a wholly online format.
