Systems and methods for providing fantasy sports contests based on subevents

Abstract

Fantasy sports contests based on segments of a single sports event. A segment or subevent may be a portion of a single sports event. The users choose a roster of selections to form an fantasy sports contest team roster. Fantasy points are awarded to the user for the real-life performance of the selections on the fantasy sports contest team roster according to rules of the fantasy sports contest. In one embodiment, the user is presented with bonus questions asking for predictions on the outcome of real-life action during a subevent of the a televised competition. Fantasy points may be awarded to users making correct predictions. The bonus questions may supplement fantasy scoring from the users' team rosters, or may be presented as a stand alone interactive sports contest.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to fantasy sports contest systems and methods and, more particularly, fantasy sports contests based on subevents within a sporting event.[0002]Athletic endeavors have long supported a broad range of secondary competitions which include wagering on the outcome of particular games and wagering on the performance of a particular player.[0003]In known fantasy sports contests, the user selects a roster, a team, a particular individual, or a group of individuals in an athletic contest. The user of a fantasy sports contest system is given the ability to take on the role of a fictional general manager with powers which may include the ability to draft, trade, dismiss and otherwise manage the player or players on the user's fantasy sports team.[0004]Conventionally, the rules in a fantasy sports contest are set by a fantasy sports contest system provider, or are set by a league commissioner who sets the rules under which a group of fanta...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]In one suitable approach, the fantasy sports contest application of the present invention may implement fantasy sports contests that have staggered starting times. For example, if a user tunes to a television broadcast of a sports event sometime after the start of the sports event, the fantasy sports contest application may enable the user to join in a fantasy sports contest without waiting for a predetermined start time of the next fantasy sports contest.

[0020]In one suitable arrangement, the fantasy sports contest application may place users that indicate a desire to join in the fantasy sports contest within a preset time frame (e.g., within fifteen seconds of each other) in the same competitive group. In this way, the user may begin competing in the fantasy sports contest, against the pre-arranged competitive group, almost instantaneously after indicating a desire to do so.

[0021]In one suitable arrangement, the fantasy sports contest application may enable the user to begin competing in the fantasy sports contest substantially instantaneously. For example, the fantasy sports contest application may enable the user to compete by aiming for preset score levels, which may represent levels of prizes being offered in the fantasy sports contest. By allowing the user to compete against score levels instead of other users, the fantasy sports contest application enables instant user participation in the fantasy sports contest.

[0027]In one embodiment, the fantasy sports contest application may enable the user to instantly create a fantasy sports contest based on subevents with a select group of other users. For example, the user watching a basketball contest may instantly create a fantasy sports contest based on slam dunks for the next five minutes of play. The user may propose the contest to select other users, who may elect to participate in the fantasy sports contest. These users may then choose a roster of athletes that they think will perform the most slam dunks in the next five minutes. In one suitable arrangement, the fantasy sports contest application may enable the user to propose user created bonus questions to other users.

[0030]In one embodiment, the fantasy sports contest of the present invention may be used to implement a fantasy sports contest based on subevents that allows the user to interact with the real-life action of sports event being televised. In one suitable approach, the fantasy sports contest application may enable the user to select a roster of athletes from those competing in the televised sports event. The user may then simulate the real-life action in the sports event involving those athletes in a video game type challenge to earn contest points (e.g., by virtually trying to correctly time swinging at a pitch in baseball).

[0031]In one embodiment, the present invention may be applied to a non-sports setting. For example, the present invention may be applied to a contest relating to the Academy Awards™, (a.k.a., the Oscar™). The user may be asked to choose a roster of actors and actresses in each award category, and may be able to trade, swap, and otherwise change the roster after the start of the award show. The contest application may also pose bonus questions based on the user's roster, the instant action in the award show, and other relevant factors. In general, all aspects of the present invention described in a sports related setting may be easily adapted for use in any non-sports setting.

Problems solved by technology

This necessary commitment over a prolonged period can inhibit user interest in a fantasy sports contest, especially among users interested in fantasy sports contests on a casual basis.

In many cases, users lose interest and stop participating in the fantasy sports contest as a season progresses, especially if the user has fallen behind in the rankings.

The prolonged and involved nature of known fantasy sports contests also restricts its popularity with would-be users having only an interest in a single sporting event (e.g., the Super Bowl™), or would-be users having a casual interest in a segment of a televised sports contest.

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