Your love of sports knows no bounds, and if you haven’t won your fantasy-league pool yet, we’ve rounded up a few ways to ace the trophy chase.
Step One: Watch and Learn
First of all, you can’t expect to pick the right players if you haven’t witnessed their on-ice, on-field or on-court moves. Rogers Anyplace TV™ lets you catch all the action, whether on your computer or on your mobile device. Here’s the play-by-play, sport by sport:
Hockey
Watch CBC’s live coverage of Hockey Night in Canada via the Rogers Anyplace TV app for Android, Apple or BlackBerry devices. Cost: $5/month for unlimited viewing*.
Basketball
View all Sportsnet regular-season Toronto Raptors games on every screen you own via Rogers Anyplace TV on your computer or tablet. A Rogers cable subscription to Sportsnet, Sportsnet ONE and Sportsnet 360 is required. Or, watch each basket on your smartphone with the Rogers Anyplace TV app for $5/month for unlimited viewing*.
Soccer
Sportsnet World brings you Barclay’s Premier League and UEFA Champions League, and Rogers cable subscribers to those channels can view the games online at RogersAnyplacetv.com. On the go? Catch football matches via the Rogers Anyplace TV app for Android, Apple or BlackBerry devices. Cost: $5/month for unlimited viewing*.
Step Two: Know the Basics
Now that you’re set to watch all the action on multiple screens, it’s time to create rosters that are inspired instead of ready to retire. Before you fill that first spot, there are two things you need to know:
1. The league format
This includes the number of teams in the league, the number of positions you need to fill and how the scoring works. For example, there are three main scoring formats: rotisserie (note: chicken is not involved), total points or head to head.
2. The draft
Drafts are completed in one of three ways: standard draft (same order each round), snake draft (reverse order every other round) and auction (highest bid wins).
INSIDER TIP: Don’t draft too many players from your home team; odds are that your loyalty won’t be rewarded.
Step Three: Build Your Team!
With some expert guidance, it’s time to create your roster. Here are some tips on where to find out more about your prospects.
Hockey: Become a Power Player
NHL Fantasy Hockey is our round-one pick for fantasy-league tips, advice and analysis. While you’re at it, follow these NHL Fantasy Hockey Twitter accounts: @NHLfantasy and insiders Matt Sitkoff (@msitkoffNHL), Pete Jensen (@NHLJensen) and Matt Cubeta (@NHLQubes).
Check out the advice by statistics major and The Hockey News contributor Darryl Dobbs at dobberhockey.com
Make sure your goalie is actually playing by checking the starting goalie list at leftwinglock.com
Football: Hit the Paydirt
Tune in: Ben Ennis, Ryan Fabro and Alex Seixeiro provide their top tips on Sportsnet 590 The Fan‘s The Fantasy Show, on air and as a weekly audio podcast.
Register at NFL Fantasy Football, and be sure to check out the twice-weekly Fantasy/Live broadcasts.
Need advice on a “start ‘em or sit ‘em” decision? Follow ESPN’s Senior Fantasy Analyst Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) and ask him.
INSIDER TIP: Don’t draft your sleepers too early; keep your prospective rising stars under wraps until the right moment.
Basketball: Ace Every Category
NBA Fantasy Central provides rankings, insider tips and tons of videos. While you’re at it, follow @NBAFantasy for up-to-the-minute info.
Previews and predictions rub shoulders with trends and rankings at The Bleacher Report.
RotoWire’s daily Fantasy Basketball Podcast is entertaining, informative and might just give you an edge over your competition.
Soccer: Own the Pitch
ESPN Fantasy Soccer offers stats and fantasy leagues for both the Premier and Champions Leagues.
Follow @FantasyFC for breaking news from The Fantasy Football Club, Britain’s Sky Sport’s show hosted by John “Fenners” Fendley and Paul Merson.
Concerned about your attacking or defense? Tune in to a Fantasy Football Scout podcast for news and advice from “two bitter mini-league rivals”.
*Limited time only
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