GENERAL

What exactly is this site? And what is the Fans League?
Is this just a sports video site?
How is this site different from other social media channels?
So is the Fans League open to fans of teams outside the New York area?
Can I join the Fans League if I’m under 18 years of age?
Who owns FansLeagueTV and operates the Fans League?

MEMBERSHIP
So what are the differences in membership levels? 
Why are the dues so dramatically different for each membership level?
What if I’d like to join, but I’m not sure about the cost?
What if I want to start my own video channel, but can’t afford the Gold or Platinum membership?

SOCIAL NETWORK
How can I customize my profile page?
Where can I find my account and billing information?
Where can I join or start a discussion?
How can I share web content, such as articles or videos?
How can I send a message to another member?
How can I invite friends to join the Fans League network?
Where can I see the latest activity on the Fans League social network?
Where can I see a list of all the members?
So Noah Syndergaard and other players are actually members here?
How can I friend someone on the FL network?
Can I start a league or fans group of my own on the FL network?
Are all Fans League groups private – or can I join some of them?

GAMING
What are metros?
What is the Blue League?
What is the Orange League?
What are the Green and Red Leagues?
What is the MBLS?
How often are the prize drawings – and how are they conducted?
Are there extra costs associated with joining sim and fantasy leagues?

VIDEO
What is the criteria for selecting the videos on Fans League channels?
How can I get my own videos featured on a network site?
Can the FL help me set up my own video channel or membership site?


GENERAL

What exactly is this site? And what is the Fans League?


This site is a team-specific membership channel associated with the Fans League. The Fans League (singular) is the informal name of the New York Fans League, an online membership network dedicated to New York sports fans. The Fans Leagues (plural) refer to constituent member groups and competitions within the organization. Given that we are a “league” composed of different fan “leagues,” you will often see the singular and plural used interchangeably. 

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Is this just a sports video site?

No. The Fans League network and user experience is composed of four different tiers:

The first tier is a network of video curation and sharing sites. We find the greatest and highest quality New York sports-related videos from across the web, and showcase them on the FansLeagueTV site and on our team-specific league channels: MetLeagueTV (New York Mets), Pinstripe Pride Network (New York Yankees), BigBlueTV (New York Giants), JetLeagueTV (New York Jets), KnickLeagueTV (New York Knicks), NetLeagueTV (Brooklyn Nets), BlueshirtTV (New York Rangers), IsleNetwork (New York Islanders) and DevilTV (New Jersey Devils).

The second tier is a dedicated social network and community for New York sports fans – including profile pages, forums, chat rooms and comment threads. In order to access this second tier, users need to sign up for a Basic membership or a higher level plan.

The third tier is a gaming platform composed of sim leagues, fantasy leagues, prediction contests, seasonal competitions and regular prize drawings. In order to access this tier, users need to purchase a Premium membership or a higher level plan.

The fourth tier is a video channel creation, management and hosting platform for fans who desire to build their own personal video and membership sites. In order to access this tier, users need to purchase a Gold or Platinum membership.

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How is this site different from other social media channels?

The site was created in part as an alternative to the free-wheeling, negative, ruthless, rude and crude environments of other social media outlets such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. We’re aiming to create a different kind of community here – based on principles of fairness, civility and respect – and expect every member to adhere to these principles. Trolling, harassment, disrespect and otherwise shitty behavior will not be tolerated. For more information, please check out our Community Guidelines page.

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So are Fans League sites and the Fans League open to fans of teams outside of the New York area?

We will be expanding the Fans League to include other U.S. sports markets in 2020. As long as you maintain an attitude of respect toward New York fans – you will always be welcome here. Trolls, however, will never be tolerated.

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Can I join the Fans League network if I’m under 18 years of age?

Membership in the Fans League network is currently restricted to fans who are 18 years of age and older – largely because of the adult language that is sometimes used on the site and in our videos. While we would like to guarantee that adult language would be rarely used, we have found that rooting for our teams (often?) necessitates the use of expletives.

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Who owns and operates the Fans League sites and network?

The Fans League network (along with its affiliated properties) are owned and operated by New Breed Studios and its founder, Joe Cesarano. Joe is a lifelong diehard Mets (as well as a Giants, Knicks and Rangers) fan who previously ran the MBLS baseball sim league and managed the Metropolitan Baseball Fans Association, the predecessor to the Fans League, for many years. New Breed Studios specializes in creating online communities and video channels for passionate fans, artists, entrepreneurs and activists.

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MEMBERSHIP

So what are the differences in membership levels? 


Basic memberships (free) are designed for fans who simply wish to enjoy the site and community features – but do not wish to participate in the extensive membership gaming activities and competitions for league championships – or contribute any content of their own.

Premium memberships ($10/month) are designed for fans who wish to participate in the community features and also wish to compete in the seasonal competitions and Fans League championships, sim and fantasy leagues, and prize drawings. Premium members can also sign up to receive a free online personal video channel setup (YouTube), and have their video content featured on Fans League channels.

Gold memberships ($100/month) are designed for fans who want to enjoy all the community and gaming features, but also wish to have an online personal video channel set up, custom branded and also managed by the Fans League. Gold members are also eligible to have their own social membership site set up and custom branded by the Fans League, and are eligible to participate in Fans League fantasy leagues free of charge. 

Platinum memberships ($1000/month) are designed for fans who wish to enjoy every feature offered through the Fans League network, including a fully hosted and managed video channel, a streaming IPTV channel on platforms such as Roku and Fire TV, and a fully hosted and managed social membership site.

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Why are the dues so dramatically different for each membership level?


Because different members have different desires and needs – and there are costs associated with each membership service offered.

If you’re simply looking to socialize with fellow fans and enjoy the best New York sports-related video entertainment, a Basic membership is all you will need. But if you want to compete against your fellow fans and win prizes, a Premium membership is required. 

Gold and Platinum memberships are designed for members – and groups of members – who wish to create their own sports-related video content and build their own monetized membership platforms. The difference between the Gold and Platinum levels is essentially the level of services provided. Gold members are responsible for greater personal costs on their own, including video and site hosting fees. Platinum members have every cost related to their video and membership channels covered as part of their membership dues.

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What if I’d like to join, but I’m unsure about the cost?

Hey, we get it. But our Basic membership – which allows you access to the site’s community features (social network, forum, profile pages) is free. 

And for just $10 per month, you can test drive our Premium plan to see if you like it. That’s less money per year than you’re likely to spend at any one visit to a New York pro sports venue. If you don’t like any the experience at any membership level, you can always cancel or change your membership plan at any time.

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What if I want to start my own video channel, but can’t afford the Gold or Platinum membership?

You might consider getting a group of friends together to start a channel. Along these lines, we accept group memberships at the Gold and Platinum level. One member of the group (the designated group leader) will be responsible for signing up at the Gold or Platinum level, and then collecting monthly dues to offset the cost from there other group members. Please note that all other members of the group involved in the video channel production must purchase Premium memberships to be included as part of the Gold or Platinum membership.

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SOCIAL NETWORK


You can find answers to these basic questions regarding the Fans League social network in the following video.

How do I customize my profile page? – 0:17
Where can I find my account and profile information? – 3:04
Where can I join or start a discussion? – 3:25
How can I share web content, such as articles or videos? – 4:35
How can I send a message to another member? – 6:01
How can I invite friends to join the Fans League? – 7:55

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Where can I see the latest activity on the FLTV social network?

You can see the latest activity on the Fans League social network by visiting the Activity stream page – accessible from the top menu.

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Where can I see a list of all the members?

You can access the full Fans League members list by visiting the Members page – accessible from the menu in the footer.

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So Noah Syndergaard and other players are actually members here?

No. At least not yet. All players on active rosters of New York-based teams – along with the GM and manager of the team – are automatically provided with profile pages on the Fans League social network. These profiles are created for purposes of tracking the Players League competitions – as well as to enable members to send messages to players and staff members. The FL will forward some of these messages to the players via social media channels.

Currently, profiles of all players and staff members are maintained and managed by FL admins. Players are always welcome to claim their own profile pages and officially join the Fans League community. If you’re a player or staff member who is interested in claiming your own page and account, email us at admin@fansleague.tv.

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How can I friend someone on the Fans League network?

You can add friends by heading to the Members page, and then clicking on “Add Friend” to send a friendship request to a few member. You will find the same “Add Friend” button on any member’s profile page.

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Can I start a league or fans group of my own on the FL network?

Yes. All league groups are subject to review – and ultimately the approval – of FL admins. All leagues and groups must be public. But if you’re starting a fantasy or sim league, all members of your league must be Premium, Gold or Platinum members – and will be designated as “private” on the FL site.

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Are all Fans League groups private – or can I join some of them?

All Fans Leagues are technically public and open to everyone, provided your membership level supports it. The leagues that are listed as “private” are gaming-related competitions and leagues – and thus restricted to Premium, Gold and Platinum members only.

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GAMING

What are metros?

Metros (stylized on the site by M) are the virtual currency that members may earn in the New York Fans League. There are currently two types of metros that can be earned:

Blue metros are “participation points” earned by members automatically by participating in site activities. These activities may include interactions such as logging in to the site, posting, commenting on a post or activity item, and inviting new members to join the Fans League. Blue metros have no value outside of the Fans League, but blue metro balances are used to determine the standings in the seasonal Blue League member competition. Blue Metro balances also serve as entries into the Fans League Sweepstakes prize drawings.

Orange metros are “game points” earned by members by participating in Orange League prediction contests, sim leagues and fantasy leagues. Orange metros are earned directly through correct predictions, as well as weekly and monthly standings in sim and fantasy leagues. Orange metros have no value outside of the Fans League, but orange metro balances are used to determine the standings in the seasonal Orange League member competition. Orange metros can also be “cashed in” at the start of a fantasy or sim league season and converted into fantasy cash for use in those leagues. Orange metros can only be earned by members who have purchased a Premium, Gold or Platinum membership plan.

Green metros are awarded by Fans League members to players on the active roster of New York area sports teams during the winter sports seasons. At the conclusion of any game, members can vote on which player or players deserve green metros based on his (or their) performance during the games. Green metro awards are determined by these member votes on the FL network sites. Green metros have no value outside of the Fans League, but green metro balances are determine the standings in the Green League player competition each winter sports season.

Red metros are awarded by Fans League members to players on the active roster of New York area sports teams during the summer sports seasons. At the conclusion of any game, members can vote on which player or players deserve red metros based on his (or their) performance during the games. Red metro awards are determined by these member votes on the FL network sites. Red metros have no value outside of the Fans League, but red metro balances are determine the standings in the Red League player competition each summer sports season.

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What is the Blue League?

The Blue League (which is shorthand for Metropolitan Blue Members League) is a seasonal competition open to all Fans League network members. Seasons in the Fans League run from MLB Opening Day through the end of September, and November until the following MLB Opening Day. Members earn blue metros during these periods to determine their standings in the Blue League competition for that particular season. 

Two weeks before the conclusion of each season, the top earners (i.e. those leading the Blue League standings) will face off in a “playoff” period. During the “playoff” period, earned Blue Metros will determine which members advance in each playoff round. The member who makes it through each round will be presented with the Blue League championship trophy, and will be able to retain the trophy until the following Blue League postseason.

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What is the Orange League?

The Orange League (shorthand for Metropolitan Orange Gaming League) is a seasonal competition open to all Fans League network members who have purchased Premium, Gold and Platinum plans. Seasons in the Fans League run from MLB Opening Day through October, and November until the following Opening Day. Members earn orange metros through various gaming results (including sim and fantasy league wins and standings, as well as sports prediction contests) during these periods to determine their standings in the Orange League competition for that particular season. 

Two weeks before the conclusion of each season, the top earners (i.e. those leading the Orange League standings) will face off in a “playoff” period. During the “playoff” period, additional postseason game points will determine which members advance in each playoff round. The member who makes it through each round will be presented with the Orange League championship trophy and will be able to retain the trophy until the following Orange League postseason.

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What are the Green and Red Leagues?

The Green League, also known as the Players League (shorthand for Metropolitan Green Players League) is a competition between New York-based football, basketball and hockey players during the course of each respective pro sports season. Players are awarded green metros following each regular season game based on their performances to determine their standings in the Green League competition each winter sports season. There are three divisions within the Green League – Football, Basketball and Hockey – where the respective players competing in those sports earn green metros. Each division has a separate leaderboard.

The Red League, also known as the Players League (shorthand for Metropolitan Red Players League) is a competition between New York-based baseball players during the course of each summer sports season. Players are awarded red metros following each regular season game based on their on-field performances to determine their standings in the Red League competition each summer sports season. There are two divisions within the Red League: a Mets division and a Yankees division, where the respective players for those teams earn red metros. Each division has a separate leaderboard.

Following the conclusion of every Players League season in the winter and spring, top players in each of the leagues face a member vote to determine the Green and Red League champions, respectively. They may also earn the following accolades in each division based on their position in the Green or Red League divisional standings: Most Valuable Player (awarded to the top red or green metros earner), Player of the Year (awarded to the baseball player with the most red metros, or the second most red metros if the MVP award winner is a position player) and Pitcher of the Year (awarded to the pitcher with the most red metros, or the second most red metros if the MVP award winner is a pitcher).

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What is the MBLS?

The MBLS – or Metropolitan Baseball League System – is the premier sim baseball league within the Fans League. The MBLS was first founded in 1993 by a group of Mets fans, and leagues and awards within the MBLS are accordingly named for famous figures in Mets history. The league ran for 17 consecutive years before going on a ten-year hiatus between 2009 and 2019. 

The MBLS currently consists of 30 teams stretched over six divisions in two leagues, and uses the OOTP 20 baseball simulator.

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How often are the prize drawings – and how are they conducted?

Fans League Sweepstakes drawings will be conducted on a weekly, monthly and annual basis – provided that the number of Fans Leaguers with paid memberships support the drawings. Each Fans League team network will post their own sweepstakes prizes for each drawing. Weekly drawings will only be conducted after a minimum of 1,500 members have joined the Fans League at the paid membership levels (Premium, Gold and Platinum).

All of the prize drawings will be conducted based on blue metro member earnings. Every member will receive one entry into the prize drawing based on metros earned during that particular week, month or year. Numbers will distributed to players based on these earnings (i.e. a member who earned 50 blue metros during the previous month will receive 50 different entry numbers in that month’s drawing). A roll of dice – broadcast live on the network’s FLTV channel– will determine the winning number, and the member who possesses the number will win the drawing. 

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Are there extra costs associated with joining sim and fantasy leagues?

Sometimes, yes. If you join a sim league, you will be responsible for purchasing the simulation program used by the league. Fantasy leagues also sometimes have entry fees, but others are free.

These extra costs may not apply to members who sign up for the most expensive membership plans. If you are a Gold member, the Fans League will pay all of your FL-affiliated fantasy league entry fees. If you are a Platinum member, the network will pay all costs associated with sim and fantasy leagues.

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VIDEO

What is the criteria for selecting which videos appear on the various Fans League network channels?

Generally speaking, videos from outside sources must be high quality and published by an established and known media organization to be featured on the site.

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How can I get my own videos featured on a network site?

If you are a Premium, Gold or Platinum member, your videos may be featured on a FL network site as part of its Member Showcase. In order to be considered for the Member Showcase, member videos must not include any copyrighted material or intellectual property belonging to another entity or person – and must be high quality and entertaining. If you haven’t been approached and would like include your videos in the Member Showcase, you may email support@fansleague.tv to be considered for the channel.

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Can the FL help me set up my own video channel or membership site?

Yes, we can – provided you have purchased a paid membership.

If you are a Premium member, the FL will help set you up with a basic video channel on the YouTube or Vimeo platform. 

If you are a Gold member, the FL will both set up a custom branded personal video channel and membership site for you – as well as provide you with management services over the video channel. All you need to do is host the videos and submit requests to add videos to your channel. 

If you are a Platinum member, the FL will set up, manage and host your video channel and membership site. You will also full management and hosting of an IPTV channel on up to two streaming platforms (such as Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast and Fire TV). You may purchase inclusion on more streaming platforms for additional fees. All hosting costs are included in your monthly membership fee.

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