Investors Hope Fantasy Sports Company Will Put Michigan On the Map

Download Video: Jason Pliml on Fox 17 News   

January 22, 2006

GRAND RAPIDS — Michigan is known as the home of the auto industry, but a West Michigan investment group thinks our state could become the home of fantasy sports leagues too, including football, baseball and basketball.

Mockdraftcentral.com is Jason Pliml's way to take his hobby to a new level. The website has over 36,000 members worldwide.

"The fantasy sports market is growing very fast, and there's 15 million people that are doing this in the U.S. and it's growing internationally as well," Pliml told FOX 17 News At Ten.

Pliml is getting some help from a West Michigan group of investors called the Grand Angels. They're investing in Pliml and are mentoring him.

"I think he's going to put Michigan on the map - he's known nationally in the fantasy sports world," said Jody Vanderwel of the Grand Angels.

The Grand Angels work to help young companies become successful. In the last 18 months, the group has invested almost two million dollars in starter companies in the West Michigan area.

When Jason first created software for his website, it was a static site. But thanks to the investment, he has been able to hire two people to help his business.

"Now it's completely live, it's flash, it's real time...you can chat with people in real time and everything happens immediately as it's occuring in a draft," said Pliml.

He's been involved in fantasy sports leagues for about 11 years. For him, its personal.

"You care what every single team in your fantasy team does during the draft - every single pick," Pliml said. "It matters to you and effects you."

By focusing strictly on the draft part of fantasy sports, Pliml has found his place on the web.

"It's been pretty amazing to see just an idea turn into something people really love to use," said Pliml.

Pliml is now looking at marketing the software to develop his website. He's hoping others will pick it up to produce fantasy sports games.

For more information on Pliml's fantasy sports leagues, check out newslinks on our website.

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