Advertiser Spotlight: FanDraft
Editor’s Note: At DLF, our advertisers are an important element of what we do. We offer premium direct placement opportunities for fantasy-related advertisers looking to reach a targeted fantasy demographic toward expanding their brand and exposure. With specific programs, we offer an advertiser to highlight, in their own words, what it is their company provides and why our visitors should be interested. While DLF is not affiliated with these advertisers in product or service offering, we hope you’ll check out what they have to offer. In this edition of our Advertiser Spotlight, we take a look at FanDraft by interviewing Randy Leslein, Founder/CEO of FanDraft!
Q: Can you tell us a bit about the history of FanDraft, how it was formed?
The concept of FanDraft was first started back in 2000. This was back when people only did in-person drafts, and so those large paper draft boards were all the rave.
A friend of mine had created a DIY version of one of those for our draft that year.
I had a big gripe with those analog boards, because I didn’t find them very functional or user friendly. First, because all you were looking at was which players were selected, and at what pick. I thought it was much useful to also see what players were AVAILABLE. After tearing apart my friend who invested so much time into that board, and describing to him how it should be all done digitally, he challenged me to create something better. The first release of FanDraft was then released the next year.
Q: Can you describe FanDraft for those who aren’t aware of your product?
FanDraft is a way to kick up the realism of your in-person draft. Fantasy leagues strive for realism and live for draft day. What we try to do is bring the excitement of a real professional draft, by simulating it with our software. We take every component of watching the NFL Draft and integrate it into the FanDraft experience. You can import your all of your team logos, owner images, and even music, and it brings it into the draft experiences which displays all the vitals like a live clock, streaming ticker, pick announcements, and of course multiple draft board displays.
Q: Having looked at your software, it seems very intuitive, easy to use and full-featured, what are some of the recent features that have been added?
Fantasy leagues have such a diverse sets of individual rules that they each follow, so we dedicate every year to adding features that follow these trends and meet our users needs. We added the ability for “Rookie Only” drafts this year, which is a big offering to those in Dynasty Leagues. The new “Draft Extensions” feature is also a nice addition that we think a lot of leagues are going to start adopting into their draft. It allows owners to take a set amount of “extensions” during the draft.
One of the most exciting features we added for our power users, is the ability to load player videos. This allows you to load a video assigned to a player, which will automatically play once that player is selected during the draft. You can see if for yourself here.
Q: Can a league run both maiden as well as rookie only drafts?
Yes, it does. The pre-populated player database can be completely customized, allowing users to delete and add any players they want. This year we added a one click ability for users to quickly remove all of the non-rookie players and easily hold a rookie only draft.
Q: Does FanDraft allow for trading of draft picks and players?
Yes, it does. Pre-draft trades can all be setup prior to the draft, but you can also perform in-draft trades involving both picks and players without leaving the draft area.
Q: The pictures on your website showing groups using your product are great. It seems FanDraft is being used as the draft software for a lot of very serious draft parties. Is it?
Our users have been doing amazing things with FanDraft and their fantasy football drafts over the years. People have rented out giant convention rooms, held drafts in bars running FanDraft on the bar TVs, and setup multiple display projections in large in-house theaters. We’ve even received pictures of US troops using our software in drafts held in tents setup in Afghanistan. Truly some inspirational stuff.
Q: For those thinking about using FanDraft as the center-piece for their league drafts(s), do you have any tips or suggestions for making a great experience?
We encourage the commissioner to get the FanDraft software and start setting it up early. This allows them time to become familiar with the interface and all of the available features. A lot of users will see some of our features and be like “Oh, I never thought about having Team Songs.”, and it inspires them to start implementing new ideas into their drafts. You can actually start setting up and using the software for free by downloading the LITE version.
Q: For leagues that purchase FanDraft, are there support options available?
There are a vast amount of resources and documentation available on our website, as well as a searchable HELP area that covers every aspect of FanDraft. We also have an extremely responsive email support system, which our users will attest to that our response is faster than about any company out there. During the peak draft season, that means usually getting a response a lot of the times within the hour and at all times of the day, 24-7.
Q: How much does FanDraft cost?
The early bird pricing for new users is $30. That price increases to $35 on August 1st.
Q: Are there annual updates available or does the software need to be purchased every year?
The software doesn’t need to be purchased every year, but previous year users are eligible to order the latest version for 50% off ($15). This gets them access to the newest player database and all of the latest features and improvements.
Q: What else should our readers know about FanDraft?
FanDraft is EXTREMELY flexible. No matter how unique your league rules are, you’ll find it will likely accommodate you. We support both auction and regular drafts, rookie only drafts, there is full customization for all of your individual draft order picks. We support keeper leagues, and leagues that do keeper auto-picks (where they lose a pick for keeping a player). You can even perform combination drafts (half regular / half auction draft). Another big perk is our integration with MyFantasyLeague. MFL users can import their league settings prior to the draft, and even export all of their draft results following the draft with the click of a button.
Q: Where can our readers learn more about FanDraft?
You can learn everything you want about FanDraft, and even download the free LITE version at our website.
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