New site kicks off fantasy football season

In response to the explosion of interest in fantasy football in the suburbs and Chicago, the Daily Herald is launching a new online service devoted to helping those participants succeed and enjoy the sport.

The new Web site - fantasyfootball.dailyherald.com - is built around the expertise of veteran columnist John Dietz and a team of experts he has assembled.

Dietz, a champion fantasy footballer, has been the Daily Herald's widely acclaimed columnist on the topic for 10 years and has appeared regularly on WSCR radio to answer questions and offer advice.

The Web site provides timely updates, blogs, forums, rankings of all positions, advice on sleepers, and Dietz's famous good bets and bad bets.

Cost to subscribe is $9.95 for the season. Credit card payments are accepted through PayPal.

A kickoff party is being hosted 6-9:30 p.m. Wednesday at John Barleycorn, 1100 American Lane, Schaumburg.

The cover charge of $9.95 includes a free subscription to fantasyfootball.dailyherald.com, two free drinks, snacks and a chance to mingle with Dietz and several Daily Herald sports personalities.

The Dietz team of experts combine 55-plus years of fantasy football experience with more than 15 championships.

The site is intended to help both seasoned participants and newcomers. Those who haven't tried fantasy football but are curious will find a guide to how it is played.

Dietz expressed excitement about the new venture.

"It's a slam-dunk, no-brainer if you are even a little serious about fantasy football," he said. "I said it last year on the radio, and I'll say it again: Before joining an advice Web site, I failed to make the playoffs in one league for six straight seasons.

"Since then? I haven't finished under .500 in that league and am 4-1 in title games since 2000."