Phenoms going under (3 Viewers)

[graywolfe81]

now having been welched on by antsports, phenoms, and a local friend of the girlfriend in the past year, I'm just out of ideas, especially if apparently leaguesafe isn't

What happened with the local friend of the girlfriend?

I heard he doinked his girlfriend, kept his ff winnings, then stole his bike.

now having been welched on by antsports, phenoms, and a local friend of the girlfriend in the past year, I'm just out of ideas, especially if apparently leaguesafe isn't

What happened with the local friend of the girlfriend?

I heard he doinked his girlfriend, kept his ff winnings, then stole his bike.

you know, the bike was just taking it too far. Have some class, you don't have to spike the football in my groin, you scored, I get it .

 

[cstu]

Heck with bankruptcy court,should be criminal court,first and foremost.I didn't borrow Mike any money,or agree to invest in his company.He stole my money,and alot of others,ya old story I know.Just sickened by it,and in one of my leagues,an owners feels sorry for Mike,delusional,or maybe Mike himself under an alias name.

Who is to say he doesn't run any teams in Phenoms.With the turnover rate on the dynasties I have been in,it seems plausible that Mike may have taken over teams to keep dynasties from being shutdown with the majority of owners paid for the year,plus extra profits if he was in the money in any of them.

Who knows,maybe he treated himself to some high stakes games as well hoping for extra profits.I took over an orphaned team a few years ago,and the owner that dropped that team,took over another team in that league that had been orphaned,then orphaned that team the following year.This would go with the timing of the announcement as well.He missed the playoffs in too many leagues,and saw he was too far in the red.In the rules,the commissioner is able to view pending owner initiated transactions,wouldn't matter in wtf waivers,but with bb waivers that would give him a clear advantage over every other owner,and since trades are processed immediately there was no reason in my mind,other than cheating,that the commish would need this setting on.All of this is probably a reach,but any other dyno owners have owners with no last names take over orphaned teams in your leagues>?

When I was looking into Phenoms this summer I did notice that none of the leagues failed to find owners.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

I bought a couple of orphan teams, paid full face value. They were auctioned off eBay style. I noticed a few orphan teams that were horrible, and insult to injury had no good draft picks. I'm guessing that Mike had to have taken over those loser teams, because I can't imagine anyone paying full deposit on a hopeless roster much less pay the entry fee. I kinda was guessing that Mike had to ante up from his cut in the interest of keeping those leagues alive. I don't know the history behind those leagues, but I saw some stacked rosters and I saw some waiver wire rosters and I don't think it was any of Mike's nefarious deeds, but somehow some shady deals led to competitive inbalance that required either speculative owners buying pennies on the dollar for orphans, or Mike was eating those teams.

I tend to think it was Mike. This was my first year buying dynasty orphans, so I didn't understand maybe a dangerous pattern of events unfolding. For every 30 dynasty orphans for sale, maybe 8 were attractive, another 8 were a wing and a prayer, and the rest were pinch your nose and wince rosters. Again, this being my first dynasty team, so what did I know?

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I bought a couple of orphan teams, paid full face value. They were auctioned off eBay style. I noticed a few orphan teams that were horrible, and insult to injury had no good draft picks. I'm guessing that Mike had to have taken over those loser teams, because I can't imagine anyone paying full deposit on a hopeless roster much less pay the entry fee. I kinda was guessing that Mike had to ante up from his cut in the interest of keeping those leagues alive. I don't know the history behind those leagues, but I saw some stacked rosters and I saw some waiver wire rosters and I don't think it was any of Mike's nefarious deeds, but somehow some shady deals led to competitive inbalance that required either speculative owners buying pennies on the dollar for orphans, or Mike was eating those teams.

I tend to think it was Mike. This was my first year buying dynasty orphans, so I didn't understand maybe a dangerous pattern of events unfolding. For every 30 dynasty orphans for sale, maybe 8 were attractive, another 8 were a wing and a prayer, and the rest were pinch your nose and wince rosters. Again, this being my first dynasty team, so what did I know?

Wasn't he taking deposits one year in advance? If so he wasn't eating anything since those teams were already paid for, unless I'm missing something.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

I bought a couple of orphan teams, paid full face value. They were auctioned off eBay style. I noticed a few orphan teams that were horrible, and insult to injury had no good draft picks. I'm guessing that Mike had to have taken over those loser teams, because I can't imagine anyone paying full deposit on a hopeless roster much less pay the entry fee. I kinda was guessing that Mike had to ante up from his cut in the interest of keeping those leagues alive. I don't know the history behind those leagues, but I saw some stacked rosters and I saw some waiver wire rosters and I don't think it was any of Mike's nefarious deeds, but somehow some shady deals led to competitive inbalance that required either speculative owners buying pennies on the dollar for orphans, or Mike was eating those teams.

I tend to think it was Mike. This was my first year buying dynasty orphans, so I didn't understand maybe a dangerous pattern of events unfolding. For every 30 dynasty orphans for sale, maybe 8 were attractive, another 8 were a wing and a prayer, and the rest were pinch your nose and wince rosters. Again, this being my first dynasty team, so what did I know?

Wasn't he taking deposits one year in advance? If so he wasn't eating anything since those teams were already paid for, unless I'm missing something.

He wasn't eating anything perse but the time commitment to manage those awful teams. The money retrieved would go back to the previous owner, provided they gave at least two weeks notice for yearly dues to be paid. If not paid, then Mike would keep that team and raffle it off for anywhere from $1 (starting bid) up to full deposit value. I do think that he took over some $1 teams just to continue the gravy train of owners paying their dues. But how a league could get so unbalanced I'm guessing falls in some part on weak commissioning on Mike's part. No logical reason for one or two teams hoarding all star rosters and 5 or 6 teams with waiver wire talent. That never made sense to me to want a join a league like that. It's just my gut and I have no proof (Mike, do you care to chime in?) but I'd bet half of those orphans were righteously sold and another half were gobbled up by Mike just to keep the rolls coming.

 

[jecl]

I'm not sure I understand who "won" these leagues since they were never finished.

Wha? How could they not have finished?

Some people gave up since payouts weren't going to be made which at lease impacted the potential outcomes.

That's their blunder then.

Going back to the lottery analogy, that would be like ripping up the lottery ticket when the company said they might not be able to pay out, or would be able to pay out very little, or worst case, would declare bankruptcy in which case debtors would get next to nothing. That ticket still had some value, it was just very likely to be WAY less than originally expected.

Once he said there were no payouts people treated it differently, you really expect everyone to still take the time and care to go through waivers etc. when there was no prize pool? I set my lineups for the heck of it but didn't put the time in I usually do. You can't finish the playoffs like that. Oh, and there was no commissioner so you could drop and pick up players at will, unless Mike was still willing to commish 750 leagues while on the road to Brazil.

 

[jecl]

If the court revives claims for payouts, and one owner's team was 1-10 and didn't make the playoffs, and the other team 10-1 and wins the league and Mike owes them $3000, do you REALLY think they would see both claims as equal?

The bottom line is if the court has an objective way to pay back the unsecured creditors they will use it… And considering according to Mike's bylaws he agreed to pay the PRIZE WINNERS, not everyone… so if the courts have a record of WHO the prize winners are, they will pay them out first, and whatever money is leftover will be paid to the rest of the league members who did not win a prize.

I know that is not what you want to hear dizzy, but objectively speaking the courts will use all available information to determine who will be paid

There is no prize for which there to be winners. Whoever thinks there is 40% that is still going to be paid to the "winners" is delusional.

 

[Raider Nation]

The thief err I mean poor business man with the best of intentions had time after feverishly trying to sell the company to set his lineup this week.

http://www8.myfantasyleague.com/2014/live_scoring?L=33199&W=16&FRANCHISES=0012_0015

He just needs about 10 points from Demaryius to make it a VERY Merry Christmas!

HE WINS! HE WINS!!!

 

[BassNBrew]

The thief err I mean poor business man with the best of intentions had time after feverishly trying to sell the company to set his lineup this week.

http://www8.myfantasyleague.com/2014/live_scoring?L=33199&W=16&FRANCHISES=0012_0015

He just needs about 10 points from Demaryius to make it a VERY Merry Christmas!

HE WINS! HE WINS!!!

Two ways to look at this...

1) $1000 less liabilities.

2) Unlucky personally took funds.

 

[Raider Nation]

It's just all so ridiculous, especially sitting there setting lineups for the past two weeks after making this life-crushing announcement.

 

[Sudoku_in_the_Bathtub]

Championship ceremony after tonight's game.

Live from Salt Lake County jail.

 

[Sudoku_in_the_Bathtub]

It's just all so ridiculous, especially sitting there setting lineups for the past two weeks after making this life-crushing announcement.

And expecting people to think he hasn't read every word posted in these threads by refusing to log into his (primary) account.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

If Mike ever does get thrown in jail, I'm sure he'll find a way to run leagues with his cell mates. He's got the addiction bad, probably reads his thread and thinks he's a celebrity. Good luck to you Unlucky in those penal fantasy leagues. Don't try to screw over the screws like you did us.

 

[MissionCoach]

So now it is official...I would have won $865

One 1st place, two 2nd place, 1 high point leader

Would have been nice for Christmas

Now that the season is officially over I will call and place a dispute with my CC company

I have a colleague that is a Federal Agent. I am going to forward the info to him as well. Not sure if there will be any interest. But I hope at some level justice is served.

 

[Soaring Eagle]

3 leagues

2 winners

1 3rd place

All most total points

Over $1500 in winnings owed

 

[Raiderfan32904]

Woulda won: one championship, one second, two thirds, one points leader.

I'm not going to bother to add up my pseudo winnings. Just lament the loss of a great dynasty roster that included Jeremy Hill and Demaryius Thomas. :( . I'm gonna miss those guys.

 

[TheWick]

I'll just file away these screen shots of winning teams right next to my TURFWAR.com screenshots

 

[TheWalk84]

officially lost thousands of dollars tonight…

Stunned is the only word I can use to describe it. I thought I was over the initial hurt/shock, but now, realizing what I should have won, I am more devastated now than ever.. Like many others, really wish I would have just lost…

Feel worse tonight than ever..

 

[Dizzy]

Championship ceremony after tonight's game.

Live from Salt Lake County jail.

Probably buying drinks for everybody at Squatter's Pub with bikini models in his underwear... just had his best year ever.

Congratulations Mike. Suggest you change your handle from Unlucky to Untouchable. Enjoy the Bahamas.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

The thief err I mean poor business man with the best of intentions had time after feverishly trying to sell the company to set his lineup this week.

http://www8.myfantasyleague.com/2014/live_scoring?L=33199&W=16&FRANCHISES=0012_0015

He just needs about 10 points from Demaryius to make it a VERY Merry Christmas!

HE WINS! HE WINS!!!

Congrats Unlucky - well deserved. At least one winner gets paid.

 

[El If I No]

A first, a second, a third, and a points title.........

Might have done better had I had more motivation, but also might have done worse if the other owners stayed motivaed in the event that they too went numb to the end of the season.

As it is, I won all of my buyin money plus a few hundred extra that I'll probably never see a dime of.

At the same time, I will still be able to clasify and say that this was another winning Fantasy Football Season even though there is no payout.

 

[Sinn Fein]

 

[robcards]

Putting together all the documentation to fax to my cc company. Including emails I sent him and he sent us, the prize structure page, the financial transactions page, the my leagues page, and URLs to all of the leagues I am in. If anyone else is doing the same and I missed something that might be worthwhile, let me know. Still think this is a long shot but it's a better shot than sitting around doing nothing.

 

[Marauder]

2 firsts, 4 seconds, 1 third. $1722 in virtual winnings on $1100 in buyins. I still had a winning season overall even counting the $1100 as a loss but that extra $1722 would have been nice.

For some reason I'm not as upset about it as a lot of you are. I think I'm just numb to it because I've seen this so much in both online FF and online Poker.

 

[Dizzy]

Putting together all the documentation to fax to my cc company. Including emails I sent him and he sent us, the prize structure page, the financial transactions page, the my leagues page, and URLs to all of the leagues I am in. If anyone else is doing the same and I missed something that might be worthwhile, let me know. Still think this is a long shot but it's a better shot than sitting around doing nothing.

Good for you robcards.

I applaud anyone that makes the effort to right a major wrong.

Con's rely on the majority of their victims to shrug it off as a loss and take it lying down. Make this #####'s life miserable, by any (legal) means possible.

 

[MissionCoach]

For those of you that paid through PayPal. You can go right on to the PayPal web sight and file a claim via e-mail.

Easier than talking to an operator.

 

[Fresh Prince of Bel Nor]

I won three of my four leagues. I was the total point leader in two of them. I am pretty sure I could play for another 20 years and never had the good fortune to win three of four leagues again. Instead of enjoying what should have been a wonderful weekend of joyous distraction, I couldn't bring myself to watch a minute of football. I wish I could be angery. I would know what to do with that emotion. Instead, I simply feel beaten down.

I wrote this email to MIke shortly after his announcement. He never replied. I am posting it on here, not to get anyone's symphathy, but because I am not confident that he even looked at my message to him. Like many of you though, I believe he is dialed into this board. He must be confronted with the fact that the people he took advantage of are real people with real problems. I am sure that I am not alone in the fact that fantasy was a much needed distraction from the stress of every-day reality. Mike stole something more than money from all of us. He needs to know that.

Mike,
I had planned on waiting for future emails since I didn't think sending you an email would make any difference about how winnings will be handled. I still doubt that anything I have to write will matter at all, but I must tell you what your leagues have meant to me this year and why I am so saddened by your announcement.

This January my youngest daughter was born. Shortly after her birth she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. As I learned more about the disease, how it will destroy her lungs, how her life will be dominated by daily treatments designed to keep healthy, how unless a cure will be found I will outlive her, I found temporary relief in your "degenerate league" that drafted in Feb. Alpha 10 gave me something to keep my mind off of the truths I was dealing with and how helpless I was feeling as a father. The slow draft, combined with trade proposals and BBD strategy was a welcome relief for the daily pain of uncertainty.

The uncertainty only increased this summer after genetic testing on my three other kids revealed that my oldest son shared in the diagnosis. It was missed as infants were not tested for CF at the time. So, now our stress and frustration was doubled as we had double the therapy, double the doctor bills, double the fear and frustration. It is a daily struggle.

Combine with this is the fact that we live less than two miles from the Ferguson police station. The anxiety and shock of literally watching my hometown burn, and trying to serve kids in the community that are hurting (I teach at an elementary school not far from the Canfield apartments) only added to my exhausting year.

Luckily I had my leagues to help me unwind and keep from going crazy. I poured myself into them, because at times it felt like they were all I could control. Having made the playoffs in three of the four leagues, I was excited about the possibility of surprising my wife with needed camera equipment this Christmas for my wife's business that she had been putting off as the medical bills have been mounting. That was until your email arrived.

I don't know what to think or believe right now. I joined one league four years ago because I wanted to be involved in an auction. I kept adding leagues each year in large part because of your customer service and the sense of community provided by Phenoms. I mourn for the community that is now gone. I fear that the winnings that I had allowed myself to imagine spending to help my family will not be honored. I now realize that it is one more thing that is beyond my control.

Thank you for your time.

 

[Mario Kart]

The thief err I mean poor business man with the best of intentions had time after feverishly trying to sell the company to set his lineup this week.

http://www8.myfantasyleague.com/2014/live_scoring?L=33199&W=16&FRANCHISES=0012_0015

He just needs about 10 points from Demaryius to make it a VERY Merry Christmas!

HE WINS! HE WINS!!!

Congrats Unlucky - well deserved. At least one winner gets paid.

Please tell all of us that no monies will be given to Unlucky for this league.

 

[BassNBrew]

The thief err I mean poor business man with the best of intentions had time after feverishly trying to sell the company to set his lineup this week.

http://www8.myfantasyleague.com/2014/live_scoring?L=33199&W=16&FRANCHISES=0012_0015

He just needs about 10 points from Demaryius to make it a VERY Merry Christmas!

HE WINS! HE WINS!!!

Congrats Unlucky - well deserved. At least one winner gets paid.

Please tell all of us that no monies will be given to Unlucky for this league.

Unlucky collected his winnings plus a premium months ago.

 

[BassNBrew]

I won three of my four leagues. I was the total point leader in two of them. I am pretty sure I could play for another 20 years and never had the good fortune to win three of four leagues again. Instead of enjoying what should have been a wonderful weekend of joyous distraction, I couldn't bring myself to watch a minute of football. I wish I could be angery. I would know what to do with that emotion. Instead, I simply feel beaten down.

I wrote this email to MIke shortly after his announcement. He never replied. I am posting it on here, not to get anyone's symphathy, but because I am not confident that he even looked at my message to him. Like many of you though, I believe he is dialed into this board. He must be confronted with the fact that the people he took advantage of are real people with real problems. I am sure that I am not alone in the fact that fantasy was a much needed distraction from the stress of every-day reality. Mike stole something more than money from all of us. He needs to know that.

Mike,
I had planned on waiting for future emails since I didn't think sending you an email would make any difference about how winnings will be handled. I still doubt that anything I have to write will matter at all, but I must tell you what your leagues have meant to me this year and why I am so saddened by your announcement.

This January my youngest daughter was born. Shortly after her birth she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. As I learned more about the disease, how it will destroy her lungs, how her life will be dominated by daily treatments designed to keep healthy, how unless a cure will be found I will outlive her, I found temporary relief in your "degenerate league" that drafted in Feb. Alpha 10 gave me something to keep my mind off of the truths I was dealing with and how helpless I was feeling as a father. The slow draft, combined with trade proposals and BBD strategy was a welcome relief for the daily pain of uncertainty.

The uncertainty only increased this summer after genetic testing on my three other kids revealed that my oldest son shared in the diagnosis. It was missed as infants were not tested for CF at the time. So, now our stress and frustration was doubled as we had double the therapy, double the doctor bills, double the fear and frustration. It is a daily struggle.

Combine with this is the fact that we live less than two miles from the Ferguson police station. The anxiety and shock of literally watching my hometown burn, and trying to serve kids in the community that are hurting (I teach at an elementary school not far from the Canfield apartments) only added to my exhausting year.

Luckily I had my leagues to help me unwind and keep from going crazy. I poured myself into them, because at times it felt like they were all I could control. Having made the playoffs in three of the four leagues, I was excited about the possibility of surprising my wife with needed camera equipment this Christmas for my wife's business that she had been putting off as the medical bills have been mounting. That was until your email arrived.

I don't know what to think or believe right now. I joined one league four years ago because I wanted to be involved in an auction. I kept adding leagues each year in large part because of your customer service and the sense of community provided by Phenoms. I mourn for the community that is now gone. I fear that the winnings that I had allowed myself to imagine spending to help my family will not be honored. I now realize that it is one more thing that is beyond my control.

Thank you for your time.

Hope you rot in hell Mike Z and actually that's being nice because I'm really hope for worse.

Fresh Prince - sorry to here about your circumstances. Please join us in the FBG Winter Survivor Leagues in the mock draft forum if you would like an outlet to replace Phenoms. We don't play for money, but the competition is stiff and the community even better.

 

[Sabertooth]

I think you guys are just prejudiced against Italians.

 

[(HULK)]

I never partook in Phenoms but I just wanted to chime in and see... has anyone filed criminal charges against him? If not, you should. The police office nearest his house should have its phone ringing off the hook right now.

 

[robcards]

I never partook in Phenoms but I just wanted to chime in and see... has anyone filed criminal charges against him? If not, you should. The police office nearest his house should have its phone ringing off the hook right now.

I think most of us just filled out the internet crimes form. At least one person mentioned calling Murray police, I'm not sure if anything came of that though.

 

[Dragon1952]

I never partook in Phenoms but I just wanted to chime in and see... has anyone filed criminal charges against him? If not, you should. The police office nearest his house should have its phone ringing off the hook right now.

I think most of us just filled out the internet crimes form. At least one person mentioned calling Murray police, I'm not sure if anything came of that though.

Last update I heard the Murray PD wasn't being extremely helpful. However, I also heard the FBI might initiate an investigation if there were enough complaints so that is who people should probably be filing complaints with.

A quote from a lawyer who played at Phenoms who is trying to get any sort of prosecution he can on Mike and is heading an organized email chain with affected Phenom's players.

"Just to give you an update on the efforts to prosecute Mike criminally:

I have not had much success with the Murray, Utah police which is disappointing. The good news however, is that I just received a call from the FBI. They have opened an investigation into Phenoms and Zangrilli. I just spoke to them and informed them of this email chain. They asked that I contact everyone on this chain to provide the following information:

1. If you haven't already, please file a claim at: http://www.ic3.gov. The FBI asked that you reference both www.phenomsff.com and Mike Zangrilli in the complaint. Please also be sure to list the amount of your loss as this will be important.

2. Please preserve all documentation, emails records you have relating to correspondence with Phenoms.

I will keep you updated on my progress."

 

[Bottomfeeder Sports]

This January my youngest daughter was born. Shortly after her birth she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. As I learned more about the disease, how it will destroy her lungs, how her life will be dominated by daily treatments designed to keep healthy, how unless a cure will be found I will outlive her, I found temporary relief in your "degenerate league" that drafted in Feb. Alpha 10 gave me something to keep my mind off of the truths I was dealing with and how helpless I was feeling as a father. The slow draft, combined with trade proposals and BBD strategy was a welcome relief for the daily pain of uncertainty.


The uncertainty only increased this summer after genetic testing on my three other kids revealed that my oldest son shared in the diagnosis. It was missed as infants were not tested for CF at the time. So, now our stress and frustration was doubled as we had double the therapy, double the doctor bills, double the fear and frustration. It is a daily struggle.

:( This makes at least three CF parents on the boards with at least five children diagnosed. Plus one friend of a board member and at least one sibling. Hopefully the three billion is enough and in time to cure this thing once and for all.

In the meantime keep "kiss testing".

 

[cstu]

Last update I heard the Murray PD wasn't being extremely helpful. However, I also heard the FBI might initiate an investigation if there were enough complaints so that is who people should probably be filing complaints with.

A quote from a lawyer who played at Phenoms who is trying to get any sort of prosecution he can on Mike and is heading an organized email chain with affected Phenom's players.

"Just to give you an update on the efforts to prosecute Mike criminally:

I have not had much success with the Murray, Utah police which is disappointing. The good news however, is that I just received a call from the FBI. They have opened an investigation into Phenoms and Zangrilli. I just spoke to them and informed them of this email chain. They asked that I contact everyone on this chain to provide the following information:

1. If you haven't already, please file a claim at: http://www.ic3.gov. The FBI asked that you reference both www.phenomsff.com and Mike Zangrilli in the complaint. Please also be sure to list the amount of your loss as this will be important.

2. Please preserve all documentation, emails records you have relating to correspondence with Phenoms.

I will keep you updated on my progress."

Everyone please file a complaint, even if you didn't finish in the money. The more complaints the FBI gets, the better.

 

[cstu]

Time to take this guy off staff.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

The thief err I mean poor business man with the best of intentions had time after feverishly trying to sell the company to set his lineup this week.

http://www8.myfantasyleague.com/2014/live_scoring?L=33199&W=16&FRANCHISES=0012_0015

He just needs about 10 points from Demaryius to make it a VERY Merry Christmas!

HE WINS! HE WINS!!!

Congrats Unlucky - well deserved. At least one winner gets paid.

Please tell all of us that no monies will be given to Unlucky for this league.

Following the thread in the FFA, I think he was the one that collected everyone's money in that league as well.

 

[Mighty Mice]

I won three of my four leagues. I was the total point leader in two of them. I am pretty sure I could play for another 20 years and never had the good fortune to win three of four leagues again. Instead of enjoying what should have been a wonderful weekend of joyous distraction, I couldn't bring myself to watch a minute of football. I wish I could be angery. I would know what to do with that emotion. Instead, I simply feel beaten down.

I wrote this email to MIke shortly after his announcement. He never replied. I am posting it on here, not to get anyone's symphathy, but because I am not confident that he even looked at my message to him. Like many of you though, I believe he is dialed into this board. He must be confronted with the fact that the people he took advantage of are real people with real problems. I am sure that I am not alone in the fact that fantasy was a much needed distraction from the stress of every-day reality. Mike stole something more than money from all of us. He needs to know that.

Mike,
I had planned on waiting for future emails since I didn't think sending you an email would make any difference about how winnings will be handled. I still doubt that anything I have to write will matter at all, but I must tell you what your leagues have meant to me this year and why I am so saddened by your announcement.

This January my youngest daughter was born. Shortly after her birth she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. As I learned more about the disease, how it will destroy her lungs, how her life will be dominated by daily treatments designed to keep healthy, how unless a cure will be found I will outlive her, I found temporary relief in your "degenerate league" that drafted in Feb. Alpha 10 gave me something to keep my mind off of the truths I was dealing with and how helpless I was feeling as a father. The slow draft, combined with trade proposals and BBD strategy was a welcome relief for the daily pain of uncertainty.

The uncertainty only increased this summer after genetic testing on my three other kids revealed that my oldest son shared in the diagnosis. It was missed as infants were not tested for CF at the time. So, now our stress and frustration was doubled as we had double the therapy, double the doctor bills, double the fear and frustration. It is a daily struggle.

Combine with this is the fact that we live less than two miles from the Ferguson police station. The anxiety and shock of literally watching my hometown burn, and trying to serve kids in the community that are hurting (I teach at an elementary school not far from the Canfield apartments) only added to my exhausting year.

Luckily I had my leagues to help me unwind and keep from going crazy. I poured myself into them, because at times it felt like they were all I could control. Having made the playoffs in three of the four leagues, I was excited about the possibility of surprising my wife with needed camera equipment this Christmas for my wife's business that she had been putting off as the medical bills have been mounting. That was until your email arrived.

I don't know what to think or believe right now. I joined one league four years ago because I wanted to be involved in an auction. I kept adding leagues each year in large part because of your customer service and the sense of community provided by Phenoms. I mourn for the community that is now gone. I fear that the winnings that I had allowed myself to imagine spending to help my family will not be honored. I now realize that it is one more thing that is beyond my control.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you for this. FFB is much more than a money game for many of us, I empathize as I lost someone two years ago and that Fall/Winter my FFB was a much needed distraction.

I hope this is read by Mike Z. and/or anyone else who ever THINKS about deliberately screwing someone over.

God bless, and have a great holiday season.

 

[Mario Kart]

Time to take this guy off staff.

They're all in on it. Start hiding money.

 

[thayman]

Time to take this guy off staff.

How is that still up?

 

[Raiderfan32904]

People scoff at the idea that the FBI would launch an investigation on such a small time Ponzi scheme. But I can tell you the FBI will investigate this to its conclusion. Not saying Mike won't beat the rap in court, and I'm sure it'll take some time to build a case. But unless Mike skips the country, I can almost guarantee that eventually he'll be hauled into court, and he'll face a long list of victims giving personal accouns of fraud through courtroom depositions. A case is already being formed, called "Phenoms Scam" or some other similar case file.

Mike, you got a window of opportunity to beat it to Costa Rica. Maybe that window's already closed if you are talking to your attorneys. I can speak with certainty that the FBI will haul you into a court room, fly in the victims, and you'll be under the hot lamps, attempting to explain your actions. May take a few years, but expect your world to be turned upside down just when you think it all blew over and people got in with their lives. Don't ask me how I know this. I just know. Have a nice life Mike.

 

[Mario Kart]

Serious business.

#### is getting real up in here.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

Wait, this guy was on staff on at FBG?

 

[Fresh Prince of Bel Nor]

I won three of my four leagues. I was the total point leader in two of them. I am pretty sure I could play for another 20 years and never had the good fortune to win three of four leagues again. Instead of enjoying what should have been a wonderful weekend of joyous distraction, I couldn't bring myself to watch a minute of football. I wish I could be angery. I would know what to do with that emotion. Instead, I simply feel beaten down.

I wrote this email to MIke shortly after his announcement. He never replied. I am posting it on here, not to get anyone's symphathy, but because I am not confident that he even looked at my message to him. Like many of you though, I believe he is dialed into this board. He must be confronted with the fact that the people he took advantage of are real people with real problems. I am sure that I am not alone in the fact that fantasy was a much needed distraction from the stress of every-day reality. Mike stole something more than money from all of us. He needs to know that.

Mike,
I had planned on waiting for future emails since I didn't think sending you an email would make any difference about how winnings will be handled. I still doubt that anything I have to write will matter at all, but I must tell you what your leagues have meant to me this year and why I am so saddened by your announcement.

This January my youngest daughter was born. Shortly after her birth she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. As I learned more about the disease, how it will destroy her lungs, how her life will be dominated by daily treatments designed to keep healthy, how unless a cure will be found I will outlive her, I found temporary relief in your "degenerate league" that drafted in Feb. Alpha 10 gave me something to keep my mind off of the truths I was dealing with and how helpless I was feeling as a father. The slow draft, combined with trade proposals and BBD strategy was a welcome relief for the daily pain of uncertainty.

The uncertainty only increased this summer after genetic testing on my three other kids revealed that my oldest son shared in the diagnosis. It was missed as infants were not tested for CF at the time. So, now our stress and frustration was doubled as we had double the therapy, double the doctor bills, double the fear and frustration. It is a daily struggle.

Combine with this is the fact that we live less than two miles from the Ferguson police station. The anxiety and shock of literally watching my hometown burn, and trying to serve kids in the community that are hurting (I teach at an elementary school not far from the Canfield apartments) only added to my exhausting year.

Luckily I had my leagues to help me unwind and keep from going crazy. I poured myself into them, because at times it felt like they were all I could control. Having made the playoffs in three of the four leagues, I was excited about the possibility of surprising my wife with needed camera equipment this Christmas for my wife's business that she had been putting off as the medical bills have been mounting. That was until your email arrived.

I don't know what to think or believe right now. I joined one league four years ago because I wanted to be involved in an auction. I kept adding leagues each year in large part because of your customer service and the sense of community provided by Phenoms. I mourn for the community that is now gone. I fear that the winnings that I had allowed myself to imagine spending to help my family will not be honored. I now realize that it is one more thing that is beyond my control.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you for this. FFB is much more than a money game for many of us, I empathize as I lost someone two years ago and that Fall/Winter my FFB was a much needed distraction.

I hope this is read by Mike Z. and/or anyone else who ever THINKS about deliberately screwing someone over.

God bless, and have a great holiday season.

Thank you, Mighty Mice. I appreciate your kinds words and empathy.

I have been hit with enough reality this year that I have been able to keep this whole Phenoms mess in its proper perspective. I guess that is why I am not as angry as I should be right now. I have used up enough anger the last few months thinking about my kids that what I'm mostly feeling is a tremendous let down. Instead of experiencing a much-needed high the past couple weekends, it was the collective sucker punch that everyone that made the playoffs in a Phenoms league felt. Made me more numb than anything else...just picked a bad time to have my best year of fantasy. Could have used that payout though. I'm glad they were just $50 leagues. I couldn't imagine what it would have been like to have invested thousands this year or who had won Omega leagues. Awful.

 

[BRONG]

Has anyone got any emails from Mike? I got that one from his attorney and am just wondering if there's been anything else since. Should hear from him soon because most leagues are done now.

 

[duckduckgoose]

Lol, you're ####### hilarious brong. Please keep them coming...need the laugh.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Wait, this guy was on staff on at FBG?

Yes. He was on staff for a short time back in 2003.

We talked about it here in this thread on page 6. http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=722689&p=17579599

J

 

[mbuehner]

Wait, this guy was on staff on at FBG?

Yes. He was on staff for a short time back in 2003.

We talked about it here in this thread on page 6. http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=722689&p=17579599

J

Respect for laying that on the table Joe. FBG always been above board and thats the best policy. Trust is earned.

 

[Dynasty]

I made a post about this at the 2+2 Poker Legislation subforum.

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/57/poker-legislation-forum-brought-you-ppa/phenoms-fantasy-football-bankruptcy-1498362/#post45627878