The National Sports Picks League premiered on the web as an e-mail pro football picks contest on June 1, 1996 hosted by Madison Newspapers (Madison, Wisconsin). In January 1997, SPL moved hosting operations to a small tech firm to construct a data base. This firm did an outstanding job in providing the resources needed to provide sports contests to thousands of players.
Unfortunately, the small tech firm was acquired by Wegner LLP, CPAs & Consultants that had no interest in SPL's success (we were not generating enough revenue to be treated as a long-term client). The accountants' approach to SPL was to empty our wallet and max our credit cards. Because of bad advice, inefficient operation, and incredibly high costs in the 1999-2000 season, SPL was forced to close for the 2000-2001 season. Paying consulting fees to Wegner & Associates for business advice was foolish- "Your ignorance about how to do things better, is my profit." -Managing Partner, Wegner LLP, CPAs & Consultants.
In July 2001, SPL re-opened using the services of MMI Tech for cost-effective options in running a website. MMI Tech added color and the graphic design to SPL. Mike Anello of Mike's Totally Free Football Pool allowed us free use of his data base to set up sports bar divisions. We are grateful to Mike for his help.
In March 2002, SPL contracted with Applied Tech Solutions of Madison to add an off-line data base. The new data base was successfully launched in September 2002. We strongly recommend the services of MMI Tech and Applied Tech Solutions.
In June & July 2006, we received letters from a law firm representing Wegner LLP-CPAs demanding that
we remove alleged ‘defamatory' comments or face legal action because
Wegner had "absolutely no involvement" with SPL.
Too bad for Wegner CPAs, we are no longer buying their deceit.
Sixteen months was enough. First day under the Wegner roof, we were suggestive-sold an
addition to our obsolescent non-warrantied data base "to save money in the long run."
Not only did we pay consulting fees for this unconscionable advice, we were not offered the technology (provided to other
corporate clients) that would have saved thousands of dollars in costs paid to Wegner.
The law firm describes us as being "bitter" about our Wegner experience. At least they have that right.
In September 2006, the College Bowl Contest
was retained through SportsFan.com and the college basketball and pro football picks contests were discontinued.
In March 2008, the College Hoops Bracket Contest
returned after a two year hiatus.
