Update on 1UP/ESPN roster article controversy
by 
Update: Todd Zuniga has responded in the comments and now his blog. It is greatly appreciated, however much of the damage that has already been done by the original article can’t be corrected. I have edited my title though to reflect the current situation.
There have been long running issues that have come with the ability to edit roster files for NCAA games. For years now there have been those who have profited off the rosters, in many cases after having stolen them from someone else who did all of the work. Not only is it immoral, but with the NCAA licensing it is illegal to profit off of the names of amateur athletes.
Numerous websites have been created to solicit along with eBay having being another consistent place this occurs. Unsuspecting consumers have continually been ripped off. And it is no small “business”. The most active roster sellers have been known to rake in well over $50,000 off a game like NCAA Football which is the primary “seller”.
One of these scumbags is Brian Kaldenberg of gamerosters and now fkrosters (which he bought back in December). Not only is he a well known thief across the community having been shown to have stolen rosters numerous times in the past (which have been made by others through hundreds of hours of work) but he will even come right out and admit it. This was the case earlier today in postings on Operation Sports where he was throwing it in the face of everyone. Not to mention he has even been sued by the NCAA in the past.
Recently Todd Zuniga of 1UP irresponsibly featured Kaldenberg in an interview. This was then carried by ESPN Videogames which is driven by 1UP created content. It is extremely disappointing that these media outlets would support such an endeavor and the person behind it.
In the past this put at risk the actual ability to make player edits at all in NCAA branded games. It looks like now though with the addition of the EA Locker and 2K Share those will fill in by providing user created rosters for free and to anyone who has online access.
The important thing it to NEVER pay for rosters. There are places to get them for free even if you don’t have online access to download them through the EA Locker. Do anything you can to spread the word about the feature and prevent as many as possible from being duped into the roster scam by people like Kaldenberg. Hopefully the talk that has been ongoing over the past few years where the NCAA may agree to include named rosters will come to fruition in the future and put to bed the issue completely.
May 25, 2008 at 8:52 pm
[quote comment="22127"][quote comment="22121"]CDJ, you run a business. Why don’t you worry about running your business.
Yes, we are going to create a Stadium Sounds section similar to yours. Toyota created the first Hybrid vehicle… it was a good idea so Honda copied it.
It’s business, evolve or die. If you have a problem with me call me instead of this childish posting. 515-669-6560.[/quote]
A business that involves stealing other peoples work?
I’m sure when Toyota made that hybrid Honda didn’t come over and steal their blueprints.
Your logic is ridiculous. It’s ridiculous because no matter what you say, you can’t justify the fact that you’re stealing other peoples work and passing it off as your own. Pathetic man. That to me is childish.[/quote]
If Kaldenberg was Honda, he didn’t just steal the blueprints, he stole the car itself and sold it as his own…
May 25, 2008 at 8:57 pm
man someone tell me how do i get roster if i play offline
May 25, 2008 at 9:00 pm
http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/3945/kaldpq0.jpg
May 25, 2008 at 9:00 pm
[quote comment="22121"]CDJ, you run a business. Why don’t you worry about running your business.
Yes, we are going to create a Stadium Sounds section similar to yours. Toyota created the first Hybrid vehicle… it was a good idea so Honda copied it.
It’s business, evolve or die. If you have a problem with me call me instead of this childish posting. 515-669-6560.[/quote]
I refuse to call someone who engages in harassment like you did towards Fairdale Kings.
After the incident this afternoon, I think you are the last person who should be accusing someone else of ‘childish posting.’ It just upsets you that the truth is getting out after your years of stealing.
May 25, 2008 at 9:02 pm
people been ripping people off for years im not supporting what he did was right but if stupid people is going to buy it and not look around for the rosters can u blame him for selling it.Everybody is the fool for one day out there life and found many.good thing to get exposed
May 25, 2008 at 9:09 pm
[quote comment="22132"]people been ripping people off for years im not supporting what he did was right but if stupid people is going to buy it and not look around for the rosters can u blame him for selling it.Everybody is the fool for one day out there life and found many.good thing to get exposed[/quote]
I’d object on the grounds of moral ethics, but regardless of your positioning on ripping people off, what Kaldenberg’s doing is HIGHLY ILLEGAL. There’s a reason why EA hasn’t been able to put names in the college game. There’s a reason why college jerseys you buy at the mall have no names on them. There’s a reason why they don’t make college football cards. That reason is the fact that the NCAA made it illegal to profit off of amateur athletes, which is exactly what Kaldenberg is doing.
May 25, 2008 at 9:09 pm
[quote comment="22132"]people been ripping people off for years im not supporting what he did was right but if stupid people is going to buy it and not look around for the rosters can u blame him for selling it.Everybody is the fool for one day out there life and found many.good thing to get exposed[/quote]
Umm…what? Just beacuse his customers didn’t know any better doesn’t mean Kaldenberg get a free pass.
He steals other people’s work and sells it. That’s despicable.
May 25, 2008 at 9:19 pm
he doesn’t get a pass but have yall ever heard buyers beware
May 25, 2008 at 9:23 pm
customers just as fault as he is
May 25, 2008 at 9:32 pm
[quote comment="22136"]he doesn’t get a pass but have yall ever heard buyers beware[/quote]
Ummm…it’s illegal??? If it was scamming, then sure. Whatever. I wouldn’t be nearly as pissed off. But what he’s doing is ILLEGAL. a.k.a. AGAINST THE LAW. He’s already been sued by the NCAA before.
May 25, 2008 at 9:34 pm
lol i cant wait to see this play out even more
May 25, 2008 at 9:37 pm
GhettoShark,
It isn’t against the law. I’ve spoken with legal counsel.
Secondly, I haven’t stolen your (illegal) custom covers. I just link to them.
You’re lucky I even do that because you wouldn’t get as much traffic.
Go to bed, its past your bedtime.
May 25, 2008 at 9:44 pm
[quote comment="22141"]GhettoShark,
It isn’t against the law. I’ve spoken with legal counsel.
Secondly, I haven’t stolen your (illegal) custom covers. I just link to them.
You’re lucky I even do that because you wouldn’t get as much traffic.
Go to bed, its past your bedtime.[/quote]
You’re making a real case for the supposed “identity theft” incident that occurred earlier today, aren’t you?
There goes your credibility again.
Wow man, I mean I’m a nice guy. I really am. I wouldn’t even hate on you like this and I never wanted to start, but when you come on the net just so arrogant and cocky, it is really hard to even try and understand you. You joke about stealing peoples hard work, you refer to us at OS as your slaves by calling the forum there your sweatshop, you harass people until they give into you, and you never act like you have any remorse.
You make it so hard for people to like you. You lie, cheat, steal, and you do it consistently. I just can’t understand why you want to portray yourself like that in front of some of your past and possible future customers.
Thankfully people are now being brought up to date on how to gather rosters and your site will soon be obsolete.
May 25, 2008 at 10:14 pm
[quote comment="22141"]GhettoShark,
It isn’t against the law. I’ve spoken with legal counsel.[/quote]
Any lawyer that told you it wasn’t illegal to make a profit off of the names and likenesses of NCAA athletes (and that is what you’re selling) isn’t much of a lawyer.[quote comment="22141"]GhettoShark,
It isn’t against the law. I’ve spoken with legal counsel.
Secondly, I haven’t stolen your (illegal) custom covers. I just link to them.
You’re lucky I even do that because you wouldn’t get as much traffic.
Go to bed, its past your bedtime.[/quote]
How can your assert on the one hand that offering custom covers that feature the likenesses of NCAA athletes is illegal, and on the other hand claim that selling rosters that contain the names and likenesses of the very same athletes is not?
Seriously now-do you ever bother to think about the implications of the things you say?
May 25, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Its really simple. If anyone sees this guy promoting gamerosters.com link them to the operation sports post and this blog. This guy will be exposed soon enough. Brian Kaldenberg preys on the people that dont know any better. Everyone needs to inform people that this guy is a theif and a liar.
Steven W.
May 25, 2008 at 10:42 pm
who really cares……
May 25, 2008 at 11:11 pm
[quote comment="22134"]
I’d object on the grounds of moral ethics, but regardless of your positioning on ripping people off, what Kaldenberg’s doing is HIGHLY ILLEGAL. There’s a reason why EA hasn’t been able to put names in the college game. There’s a reason why college jerseys you buy at the mall have no names on them. There’s a reason why they don’t make college football cards. That reason is the fact that the NCAA made it illegal to profit off of amateur athletes, which is exactly what Kaldenberg is doing.[/quote]
… The *NCAA* is profiting off of amateur athletes more than anyone! LOL. Don’t you see the hypocrisy taking place?
May 25, 2008 at 11:13 pm
this just in: the guy is a moron. an absolute moron. he is the definition of a tool.
it makes me sad that there are actually d-bags like this around.
i should go on, but i’ll stop.
May 25, 2008 at 11:33 pm
I’m sure EA and NCAA are well aware of what he’s doing since NCAA dealt with him in 2004. Go to the NCAA section on Operationsports.com; members have posted the transcript of how he does his ‘business’.
May 25, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Hes just selling a memory card. The rosters are a free gift from him to you…wouldn’t that make it legal.
Also Todd getting offended over the name of post is pathetic. Suck it up bud, you screwed up.
May 25, 2008 at 11:51 pm
I usually name all the players on my team and a few of the big names around the country and then let the computer do the rest. I have been tempted to buy the rosters but then I thought for what? I dont even know the players names on all the other teams anyways. whos the QB for Wyoming this year? Dunno, so who cares if the computer picks the names.
EA LOCKER is a cool fix for that.
May 25, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Hi, I was given your name by User:Ksy92003 and they said you might be able to help me. I wanted to talk to you about this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Contributions/71.10.169.33
Look at these contributions from this IP address. You’ll also see on his talk page that he has a name, BKaldenberg, though he’s rarely used it. Both have been blocked for 3RR and violating WP:EL in the past. Here’s the deal:
His name is Brian Kaldenberg, and as you can see from those contributions his sole purpose on Wikipedia (outside of a single Virginia Tech Massacre vandalizing) is to add the link http://www.gamerosters.com to the pages NCAA Football Series and NCAA Football 08. As you can see going to that link, Brian Kaldenberg is the owner of that website.
This is clearly in violation of WP:EL, it definitely constitutes as spam and as a conflict of interest given he’s the site’s owner. I also know he is the site’s owner, not just from the Wikipedia user name, but from series of emails I’ve had with him. He is fully aware of the policy and just chooses to disregard it. As he claimed today in one email, he makes $20-40 a day per day from that link (although I doubt it) and simply doesn’t care about the policy.
I’m writing you because this 3RR crap isn’t enough. A permanent solution needs to be found. He’s knowingly violated policy dozens and dozens of times as you can see, with no end in site. He clearly has no other reason for his presence at Wikipedia other than to spam these two articles. Day-to-day block are not enough, he simply needs to be banned. It bothers me that a person would behave like this, and I don’t want him to “win” as a matter of principle.
So I’m asking you, what can be done?►Chris Nelson 21:25, 2 July 2007 (UTC)
It’s okay, thanks for the advice.►Chris Nelson 17:20, 4 July 2007 (UTC)
Yeah I understand the anonymous IP makes things complicated. He’s definitely been using it for months though as you can see. I just really hope there is a way to permanently block him. He serves no purpose here other than to knowingly violate policy for person gain.►Chris Nelson 17:23, 4 July 2007 (UTC)
Are you serious?
May 25, 2008 at 11:57 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_talk:Wizardman/Archive7
Read ‘Assistance’
Brian K. spams wikipedia now for his site advertising…there is no low for this man
May 25, 2008 at 11:59 pm
So if you do a search for Brian Kaldenberg on google, check out the wiki part. Should be the 2nd one on the search; Click and go down to Assistance. Turns out the kid has no low and is now spamming wiki NCAA for his rosters/site..wow
May 26, 2008 at 12:00 am
“His name is Brian Kaldenberg, and as you can see from those contributions his sole purpose on Wikipedia (outside of a single Virginia Tech Massacre vandalizing) is to add the link http://www.gamerosters.com to the pages NCAA Football Series and NCAA Football 08. As you can see going to that link, Brian Kaldenberg is the owner of that website.”
Thats a part of the wiki complaint..Vandalizing VT Massacre?
May 26, 2008 at 1:45 am
All of this over a roster file?
Good grief.
May 26, 2008 at 5:19 am
[quote comment="22141"]GhettoShark,
It isn’t against the law. I’ve spoken with legal counsel.[/quote]
See, what you’re doing is profiting off of amateur athletes (illegal). Sure, the memory cards are technically legal, but the “download service” is not. The “download service” is nothing but a stolen roster file, which you sell (illegal).
[quote comment="22141"Secondly, I haven't stolen your (illegal) custom covers. I just link to them.
You're lucky I even do that because you wouldn't get as much traffic.
Go to bed, its past your bedtime.[/quote]
EAcustomcovers closed because the site’s sole purpose was covers, and that was directing traffic to his site and the ads on his site, thus making him money. I make no profits whatsoever on my covers, and thus, I’m not profiting off of either EA Sports or the NCAA. Besides, not everybody is about wanting traffic or google hits. The “traffic” that it generates from your site puts an unnecessary strain on my photobucket bandwidth.
Go back to your mother’s basement. She’s out shopping right now for twinkies.
May 26, 2008 at 6:13 am
All of this talk of Kaldenberg stealing rosters got me thinking, and I am pretty sure that it is not illegal what he is doing (the taking of the rosters I mean). There is no copyright law that I know of protecting the rosters, the only thing that you can do if you do find him taking your rosters is email him asking him to remove your work. And if he does threaten legal action against you let him, then when the judge laughs at him for bringing a ridiculous lawsuit to the court.
However, I do agree that morally not only taking, but making money off of amateur athletes is wrong. I guess the thing that surprises me is that the NCAA is supposed to be some sort of beacon of morality (I rolled my eyes when I typed this). They also profit of these kids as well so if they were to go further then sending this guy a few warning letters, it would be like the kettle calling the pot black.
May 26, 2008 at 6:35 am
ok some people who dont know what their talking about should not even comment cause your comments are retarted
May 26, 2008 at 6:39 am
[quote comment="22163"]ok some people who dont know what their talking about should not even comment cause your comments are retarted[/quote]
If you fail at using the correct useage of a word and the spelling of a word, you should not even comment in attempt of mocking others.
It’s they’re and retarded, get it right chump.
May 26, 2008 at 6:53 am
[quote comment="22165"][quote comment="22163"]ok some people who dont know what their talking about should not even comment cause your comments are retarted[/quote]
If you fail at using the correct useage of a word and the spelling of a word, you should not even comment in attempt of mocking others.
It’s they’re and retarded, get it right chump.[/quote]
It’s also “usage.” Just sayin’.
May 26, 2008 at 8:20 am
I’ve sold three more memory cards today.
CDJ, when can we expect the Stadium Sounds section to be completed?
Fairdale Kings, are you receiving the game early again?
Keep making noise. I don’t mind being the visiting team and coming into your stadium and kicking your asses. Have you ever heard that there is no such thing as bad publicity? Keep selling memory cards for me chumps.
May 26, 2008 at 8:23 am
[quote comment="22165"][quote comment="22163"]ok some people who dont know what their talking about should not even comment cause your comments are retarted[/quote]
If you fail at using the correct useage of a word and the spelling of a word, you should not even comment in attempt of mocking others.
It’s they’re and retarded, get it right chump.[/quote]
ok y do u take my spelling so serious o i know because ur like 50 and have nothing better to do thn fight wit kids on websites and they way i spell is aol talk but i guess old people cant accept that cause they dont know wat that is so just stop being a keyboard warrior
May 26, 2008 at 8:32 am
[quote comment="22169"]I’ve sold three more memory cards today.
CDJ, when can we expect the Stadium Sounds section to be completed?
Fairdale Kings, are you receiving the game early again?
Keep making noise. I don’t mind being the visiting team and coming into your stadium and kicking your asses. Have you ever heard that there is no such thing as bad publicity? Keep selling memory cards for me chumps.[/quote]
Really, no such thing as bad publicity? I wonder if Elliot Spitzer can attest to that or the wrestling business in relation to the Chris Benoit incident. You sound like a terrible businessman lucky enough to prey on idiots who can’t use a simple google search engine.
May 26, 2008 at 8:48 am
pretty sad that zuniga wouldnt even look into the background of the guy or that site before promoting it. though im not sure how much good that wouldve done since he incorrectly states ea bought the ncaa basketball license and supports that with a link to a rumor that was never shown to have any truth behind it
May 26, 2008 at 8:52 am
[quote comment="22169"]I’ve sold three more memory cards today.
CDJ, when can we expect the Stadium Sounds section to be completed?
Fairdale Kings, are you receiving the game early again?
Keep making noise. I don’t mind being the visiting team and coming into your stadium and kicking your asses. Have you ever heard that there is no such thing as bad publicity? Keep selling memory cards for me chumps.[/quote]
Since OS already has Kaldenberg’s IP from the junjun incident, why not just IP ban him from viewing the forums (where FK’s rosters will be anyways).. Same thing goes with NCAAStrategies, so that he can’t access the stadium sounds either.
May 26, 2008 at 9:15 am
Interesting internet drama going on here, lol.
May 26, 2008 at 9:16 am
This is response is not in the defense of Brian Kaldenberg but I personally have been entering the actual players names into the NCAA game since 1998. I personally don’t thing there is a problem with editing rosters and selling them online for a profit since it is a very time consuming operation. But when it comes to selling someones rosters work as your own there is definately a big problem. I’m all for EA who is making a tremendous amount of money off of the game incorporating actual players names into the game and possibly filtering some of their revenue toward all division one schools to the actual players. Let’s be realistic NCAA football is a billion dollar industry and a small percentage of the money could be used to compensate the actual players whom are being prostituted.
May 26, 2008 at 9:22 am
Go to http://www.moesportsblog.com for more
May 26, 2008 at 9:48 am
Excuse the grammatical errors but I’m seriously dedicated to changing the sports simulations gaming industry one roster file at a time. My official website is still under construction but check out my youtube site for now: http://www.youtube.com/historicgamerosters
May 26, 2008 at 10:06 am
Historical Game Rosters, I don’t think this is a place to advertise your rosters. Take your business elsewhere please.
May 26, 2008 at 10:32 am
Wow this is crazy huh? I mean when it comes down to it all I really care about is who has the downloadable file on day one. I could careless who it is from. And NO i am not going to pay for it. I understand there are people who work hard on doing these rosters and all and I do appreciate it but im still not going to pay for it. Its free.
May 26, 2008 at 11:34 am
To avoid these scams is simple: Just do it yourself! I have been for a while now, though I can’t say I’ve successfully completed it all. On which sites can we get very accurate rosters for free?
May 26, 2008 at 11:54 am
[quote comment="22169"]I’ve sold three more memory cards today.
CDJ, when can we expect the Stadium Sounds section to be completed?
Fairdale Kings, are you receiving the game early again?
Keep making noise. I don’t mind being the visiting team and coming into your stadium and kicking your asses. Have you ever heard that there is no such thing as bad publicity? Keep selling memory cards for me chumps.[/quote]
I have watched you prostitute yourself in this thread and in the one that was closed at Operation Sports. I get a kick out of watching it…kind of like watching re-runs of the Jerry Springer Show before they stopped showing the choreographed fights on air.
I would say its sad and pathetic…but thats so obvious it would be redundant after anyone reads your drivel. You remind me of the guys who go onto internet chat boards to defend their “business opportunities / ponzi scams”…all bluster and blow and eventually no dough. You know in your heart, and in that sinking feeling in your chest, that you cannot make a career out of your theft and fencing “business”…so enjoy what you can and eventually you’ll go to the real world and commit some real crimes and I guarantee that you are no where near smart enough to avoid doing real time.
Just remember not to drop the soap…from what I hear, the general population LOVES when a pudgy, soft white boy hits the block…
May 26, 2008 at 12:00 pm
[quote comment="22169"]I’ve sold three more memory cards today.
CDJ, when can we expect the Stadium Sounds section to be completed?
Fairdale Kings, are you receiving the game early again?
Keep making noise. I don’t mind being the visiting team and coming into your stadium and kicking your asses. Have you ever heard that there is no such thing as bad publicity? Keep selling memory cards for me chumps.[/quote]
No matter how much money you make, you will still be a miserable, overweight, hated, twinkie loving d*ck licker.
May 26, 2008 at 12:54 pm
[quote comment="22181"]Historical Game Rosters, I don’t think this is a place to advertise your rosters. Take your business elsewhere please.
Forget you.
May 26, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Ryan you didn’t even read my earlier comment idiot. You aren’t the only person that has an opinion here. So I would really appreciate it if you could stay focused on the issues at hand and stay the #%$& out of my business.
May 26, 2008 at 2:25 pm
this is an interesting dilemma. Zuniga was very wrong for writing about this guy without doing his research. I am a writer (Sports Editor for a newspaper) and know the dangers of not having all the facts before you got to print. But this shady character is in a weird spot.
Editing the rosters and selling memory cards with the rosters on it is not illegal, its just like someone giving you a free gift with purchase, a gift that was usually donated by a sponsor of some kind.
But he does have a major moral dilemma with the stealing, but without a copyright it might be hard for legal action to come against him for re-selling the items.
But I would totally suggest FK look into some form of monetary recourse, or sue him for a percentage of every memory card sold with your rosters on them, because since you did the work and the file was created by you, you should have some first-party rights to any money made off of it.
May 26, 2008 at 2:40 pm
[quote comment="22211"]this is an interesting dilemma. Zuniga was very wrong for writing about this guy without doing his research. I am a writer (Sports Editor for a newspaper) and know the dangers of not having all the facts before you got to print. But this shady character is in a weird spot.
Editing the rosters and selling memory cards with the rosters on it is not illegal, its just like someone giving you a free gift with purchase, a gift that was usually donated by a sponsor of some kind.
But he does have a major moral dilemma with the stealing, but without a copyright it might be hard for legal action to come against him for re-selling the items.
But I would totally suggest FK look into some form of monetary recourse, or sue him for a percentage of every memory card sold with your rosters on them, because since you did the work and the file was created by you, you should have some first-party rights to any money made off of it.[/quote]
The only problem is that FK would have a tough time proving that it was his roster in question. Unless FK were to add some sort of thing which would prove that it was his roster (ie add himself as a create a player on some insignificant team) it becomes a he said/he said. It would be a waste of time and money to pursue legal action at this point.
May 26, 2008 at 4:41 pm
It is clear to all of us that Brian Kaldenberg is a gem of a human being. Instead of talking about him, I would encourage everyone to take action and contact pmr@ncaa.org. The NCAA will shut down gamerosters and this scam artist.
What we know so far is that Brian Kaldenberg was in a lawsuit with the NCAA in 2004. He is banned from wikipedia, facebook, rivals.com, ebay, and every NCAA football fan site. He creates fake names and spams every message board advertising his site in the third person. He steals rosters, custom covers, and custom sounds and claims them as his own. He blames his customers for losing memory cards in the mail and doesn’t refund their purchases. And worst of all, he has the nerve to antagonize the people he exploits.
Help put an end to Brian Kaldenberg and gamerosters.com.
pmr@ncaa.org