Update on 1UP/ESPN roster article controversy

by pastapadre
Posted May 25th, 2008 at 4:40 pm

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.

Tags:

47

That clown couldnt be serious. I mean did you see his responses over at OS??? Maybe it was an imposter, i mean NO one could be that stupid to openly admit that you stole the work of someone else and profited from it.
47

That clown couldnt be serious. I mean did you see his responses over at OS??? Maybe it was an imposter, i mean NO one could be that stupid to openly admit that you stole the work of someone else and profited from it.
47

That clown couldnt be serious. I mean did you see his responses over at OS??? Maybe it was an imposter, i mean NO one could be that stupid to openly admit that you stole the work of someone else and profited from it.
http://www.ncaastrategies.com/ cdj

If Zuniga wants an interview with a legit roster editor, he needs to contact ‘Fairdale Kings,’ a roster editor for the 360. FK runs a legit operation and has been doing so for years.
http://www.ncaastrategies.com/ cdj

If Zuniga wants an interview with a legit roster editor, he needs to contact ‘Fairdale Kings,’ a roster editor for the 360. FK runs a legit operation and has been doing so for years.
http://www.ncaastrategies.com cdj

If Zuniga wants an interview with a legit roster editor, he needs to contact ‘Fairdale Kings,’ a roster editor for the 360. FK runs a legit operation and has been doing so for years.
pastapadre

[quote comment="22077"]As for the headline to this story, seems downright ridiculous. By posting a story about a roster update site I don’t feel like I’m walking around wearing a Brian Kaldenberg for President t-shirt. It was one site amongst many (much like a site I’d written about in the old OPM days, run by DT Lindner: http://www.psxsports.com/).[/quote]

First, I do appreciate the response and correction. However I don’t understand how that article could be seen as anything other than endorsing the site and the guy behind it.
pastapadre

[quote comment="22077"]As for the headline to this story, seems downright ridiculous. By posting a story about a roster update site I don’t feel like I’m walking around wearing a Brian Kaldenberg for President t-shirt. It was one site amongst many (much like a site I’d written about in the old OPM days, run by DT Lindner: http://www.psxsports.com/).[/quote]

First, I do appreciate the response and correction. However I don’t understand how that article could be seen as anything other than endorsing the site and the guy behind it.
pastapadre

[quote comment="22077"]As for the headline to this story, seems downright ridiculous. By posting a story about a roster update site I don’t feel like I’m walking around wearing a Brian Kaldenberg for President t-shirt. It was one site amongst many (much like a site I’d written about in the old OPM days, run by DT Lindner: http://www.psxsports.com/).[/quote]

First, I do appreciate the response and correction. However I don’t understand how that article could be seen as anything other than endorsing the site and the guy behind it.
Aaron

Zuniga is a tool also. If you publish an interview with another tool to market theft of his, then youre endorsing the site. I wonder what ESPN will think of this?
Aaron

Zuniga is a tool also. If you publish an interview with another tool to market theft of his, then youre endorsing the site. I wonder what ESPN will think of this?
Aaron

Zuniga is a tool also. If you publish an interview with another tool to market theft of his, then youre endorsing the site. I wonder what ESPN will think of this?
Mulnik

It’s really a sad day in sports when almost all college athletes get money under the table, yet the NCAA refuses to let the real names of people get published in games. I mean how many magazines are published with their names. How many hours of TV coverage uses their names and likenesses? Do these media outlets not make money off of that? How would that be different than a video game making a game with real names and likenesses?

That being said, if they actually were able to make games with names and likenesses it would shut down jackasses like this clown and save hundreds of hours to those who actually make correct rosters.

I got a roster or two off of psxsports.com and DT Linder back in the day. I didn’t donate any money cuz I was in college and poor, but if I could have I would have. I kept up the community and knew he put in the time and effort into this. If someone is going to do all that work don’t charge money for it simply accept donations. I will gladly chip in a few bucks for accurate rosters but the second you start to charge my radar gets tipped off that you are trying to screw people. Especially with most people posting them for free.
Mulnik

It’s really a sad day in sports when almost all college athletes get money under the table, yet the NCAA refuses to let the real names of people get published in games. I mean how many magazines are published with their names. How many hours of TV coverage uses their names and likenesses? Do these media outlets not make money off of that? How would that be different than a video game making a game with real names and likenesses?

That being said, if they actually were able to make games with names and likenesses it would shut down jackasses like this clown and save hundreds of hours to those who actually make correct rosters.

I got a roster or two off of psxsports.com and DT Linder back in the day. I didn’t donate any money cuz I was in college and poor, but if I could have I would have. I kept up the community and knew he put in the time and effort into this. If someone is going to do all that work don’t charge money for it simply accept donations. I will gladly chip in a few bucks for accurate rosters but the second you start to charge my radar gets tipped off that you are trying to screw people. Especially with most people posting them for free.
Mulnik

It’s really a sad day in sports when almost all college athletes get money under the table, yet the NCAA refuses to let the real names of people get published in games. I mean how many magazines are published with their names. How many hours of TV coverage uses their names and likenesses? Do these media outlets not make money off of that? How would that be different than a video game making a game with real names and likenesses?

That being said, if they actually were able to make games with names and likenesses it would shut down jackasses like this clown and save hundreds of hours to those who actually make correct rosters.

I got a roster or two off of psxsports.com and DT Linder back in the day. I didn’t donate any money cuz I was in college and poor, but if I could have I would have. I kept up the community and knew he put in the time and effort into this. If someone is going to do all that work don’t charge money for it simply accept donations. I will gladly chip in a few bucks for accurate rosters but the second you start to charge my radar gets tipped off that you are trying to screw people. Especially with most people posting them for free.
Ghettoshark

Another thing, Brian Kaldenberg was stupid enough to reveal his identity on the Operation Sports thread.

I’m not comfortable with the info being posted on here – Pasta
Ghettoshark

Another thing, Brian Kaldenberg was stupid enough to reveal his identity on the Operation Sports thread.

I’m not comfortable with the info being posted on here – Pasta
Ghettoshark

Another thing, Brian Kaldenberg was stupid enough to reveal his identity on the Operation Sports thread.

I’m not comfortable with the info being posted on here – Pasta
Jeff

It’s just another example of how EA is clueless about very obvious things that we all catch in 2 seconds.

Personally, I don’t have a major huge problem with people profiting from them simply because the NCAA is a bunch of hypocritical bastards making money hand over fist on the backs of these kids and the whole “oh they get a free education” argument is lame not inclusive of a lot of other expenses. But when a person is stealing someone else’s work and profiting, that’s a problem.
Jeff

It’s just another example of how EA is clueless about very obvious things that we all catch in 2 seconds.

Personally, I don’t have a major huge problem with people profiting from them simply because the NCAA is a bunch of hypocritical bastards making money hand over fist on the backs of these kids and the whole “oh they get a free education” argument is lame not inclusive of a lot of other expenses. But when a person is stealing someone else’s work and profiting, that’s a problem.
http://www.1up.com/ Todd Zuniga

baumy300: My goal is to get the world free rosters for life. Any tips, great, and would love to get a hold of Fairdale Kings.

Signed,

The Tool
http://www.1up.com/ Todd Zuniga

baumy300: My goal is to get the world free rosters for life. Any tips, great, and would love to get a hold of Fairdale Kings.

Signed,

The Tool
Jeff

It’s just another example of how EA is clueless about very obvious things that we all catch in 2 seconds.

Personally, I don’t have a major huge problem with people profiting from them simply because the NCAA is a bunch of hypocritical bastards making money hand over fist on the backs of these kids and the whole “oh they get a free education” argument is lame not inclusive of a lot of other expenses. But when a person is stealing someone else’s work and profiting, that’s a problem.
http://www.1up.com Todd Zuniga

baumy300: My goal is to get the world free rosters for life. Any tips, great, and would love to get a hold of Fairdale Kings.

Signed,

The Tool
http://www.ncaastrategies.com/ cdj

[quote comment="22099"]baumy300: My goal is to get the world free rosters for life. Any tips, great, and would love to get a hold of Fairdale Kings.

Signed,

The Tool[/quote]

Todd,

Please check your Opium Magazine e-mail account. His name and e-mail address are there waiting for you.
http://www.ncaastrategies.com/ cdj

[quote comment="22099"]baumy300: My goal is to get the world free rosters for life. Any tips, great, and would love to get a hold of Fairdale Kings.

Signed,

The Tool[/quote]

Todd,

Please check your Opium Magazine e-mail account. His name and e-mail address are there waiting for you.
http://www.ncaastrategies.com cdj

[quote comment="22099"]baumy300: My goal is to get the world free rosters for life. Any tips, great, and would love to get a hold of Fairdale Kings.

Signed,

The Tool[/quote]

Todd,

Please check your Opium Magazine e-mail account. His name and e-mail address are there waiting for you.
baumy300

[quote comment="22099"]baumy300: My goal is to get the world free rosters for life. Any tips, great, and would love to get a hold of Fairdale Kings.

Signed,

The Tool[/quote]
Ok, that’s what I initially thought.

I told you everything I know pertaining to free rosters. Also, Fairdale Kings posts over at operationsports.com and if you create an account you can PM him. Here is his profile – http://www.operationsports.com/forums/members/fairdale_kings.html
baumy300

[quote comment="22099"]baumy300: My goal is to get the world free rosters for life. Any tips, great, and would love to get a hold of Fairdale Kings.

Signed,

The Tool[/quote]
Ok, that’s what I initially thought.

I told you everything I know pertaining to free rosters. Also, Fairdale Kings posts over at operationsports.com and if you create an account you can PM him. Here is his profile – http://www.operationsports.com/forums/members/fairdale_kings.html
baumy300

[quote comment="22099"]baumy300: My goal is to get the world free rosters for life. Any tips, great, and would love to get a hold of Fairdale Kings.

Signed,

The Tool[/quote]
Ok, that’s what I initially thought.

I told you everything I know pertaining to free rosters. Also, Fairdale Kings posts over at operationsports.com and if you create an account you can PM him. Here is his profile – http://www.operationsports.com/forums/members/fairdale_kings.html
Andy

I’ve always bought from FK Rosters and had no problems (NCAA 08 being the most recent). What do we do now, with the online roster sharing going on? I liked being able to track what conference FK was on at the time, and then, BAMM, the file was ready for download/purchase after you paid (I even sent my Xbox memory card back in the day). I don’t want to share a roster online and have FATT STAFFORD as the QB for UGA, or, God forbid, Tebow with the wrong face mask.
Andy

I’ve always bought from FK Rosters and had no problems (NCAA 08 being the most recent). What do we do now, with the online roster sharing going on? I liked being able to track what conference FK was on at the time, and then, BAMM, the file was ready for download/purchase after you paid (I even sent my Xbox memory card back in the day). I don’t want to share a roster online and have FATT STAFFORD as the QB for UGA, or, God forbid, Tebow with the wrong face mask.
Andy

I’ve always bought from FK Rosters and had no problems (NCAA 08 being the most recent). What do we do now, with the online roster sharing going on? I liked being able to track what conference FK was on at the time, and then, BAMM, the file was ready for download/purchase after you paid (I even sent my Xbox memory card back in the day). I don’t want to share a roster online and have FATT STAFFORD as the QB for UGA, or, God forbid, Tebow with the wrong face mask.
Da Birthday Boy

Anyone could make rosters and these people using this is as their job is pathetic, basically stealing from people illegally. So you go on the school’s site and match the names with the numbers, it’s terrible that 1UP/ESPN Video Games, would promote this guy and his site, lost all credibility. Who would seriously buy rosters, unless they are free they do nothing good and don’t add to the game. Good article Pasta for pointing this out.
Da Birthday Boy

Anyone could make rosters and these people using this is as their job is pathetic, basically stealing from people illegally. So you go on the school’s site and match the names with the numbers, it’s terrible that 1UP/ESPN Video Games, would promote this guy and his site, lost all credibility. Who would seriously buy rosters, unless they are free they do nothing good and don’t add to the game. Good article Pasta for pointing this out.
Da Birthday Boy

Anyone could make rosters and these people using this is as their job is pathetic, basically stealing from people illegally. So you go on the school’s site and match the names with the numbers, it’s terrible that 1UP/ESPN Video Games, would promote this guy and his site, lost all credibility. Who would seriously buy rosters, unless they are free they do nothing good and don’t add to the game. Good article Pasta for pointing this out.
http://Fairdale-Kings.com/ Victor Vasquez (FAIRDALE KINGS

First, I want to respond to the Todd Zuniga article appearing on ESPN.com that was brought to my attention today. It is completely ridiculous to think that Brian Kaldenberg has attracted this much attention again and free publicity. Brian Kaldenberg is the owner of the site known as Gamerosters.com and I sold him my site, FKrosters.com in December through a third-party buyer. It was not until the sale was finalized that I knew the identity of the new owner.

Anyway, my name is FAIRDALE KINGS. I was the owner of a website known as FKrosters.com that provided free rosters for the NCAA Football series since 2003. This year will be my seventh intallment of rosters that I have released to the public. I’ve worked with DT Linder at PS2rosters.com (now known as PSXsports.com) and released XBox rosters in the beginning. I’ve actually been a member of the EA Sports Community Leader’s Program and have pretty good relationships with many of the NCAA/Madden gaming communities so I am known & respected in the gaming community. For the past three years I have actually released my rosters before the game was “officially” released.

Since 2005 Brian Kaldenberg has been stealing my rosters and selling them on his site without my permission. I’ve asked him numerous times to remove my work but he refuses. Last year Brian harassed me for eight months to sell my site to him. He begins harassing me every year in May and inquires about the release of my rosters. He brags about the fact that he doesn’t have to edit the rosters because I do all the work… and he reaps in all the profits. For anyone that is interested I still have every email that Brian Kaldenberg sent to me last summer. So there is documented proof of his treachery. If you go to his site, FKrosters.com, he continues to use my name to promote his products. I have asked him several times to remove my name, FAIRDALE KINGS, from his promotions but he continues to pimp his site using my personna.

This year I will once again be releasing “free” rosters. I am in the process of starting a new website that will be named Fairdale-Kings.com and the rosters will be available for download there as well as OperationSports.com, NCAAStrategies.com and MaddenMania.com because those sites have always supported my efforts.

If anyone wants to contact me I am not hard to find. My email address is fairdalekings@msn.com or you can contact me through XBox Live. My gamertag is FAIRDALE KINGS.

Thanks!

Victor Vasquez

FAIRDALE KINGS

Fairdale-Kings.com COMING SOON!!!!
http://Fairdale-Kings.com/ Victor Vasquez (FAIRDALE KINGS

First, I want to respond to the Todd Zuniga article appearing on ESPN.com that was brought to my attention today. It is completely ridiculous to think that Brian Kaldenberg has attracted this much attention again and free publicity. Brian Kaldenberg is the owner of the site known as Gamerosters.com and I sold him my site, FKrosters.com in December through a third-party buyer. It was not until the sale was finalized that I knew the identity of the new owner.

Anyway, my name is FAIRDALE KINGS. I was the owner of a website known as FKrosters.com that provided free rosters for the NCAA Football series since 2003. This year will be my seventh intallment of rosters that I have released to the public. I’ve worked with DT Linder at PS2rosters.com (now known as PSXsports.com) and released XBox rosters in the beginning. I’ve actually been a member of the EA Sports Community Leader’s Program and have pretty good relationships with many of the NCAA/Madden gaming communities so I am known & respected in the gaming community. For the past three years I have actually released my rosters before the game was “officially” released.

Since 2005 Brian Kaldenberg has been stealing my rosters and selling them on his site without my permission. I’ve asked him numerous times to remove my work but he refuses. Last year Brian harassed me for eight months to sell my site to him. He begins harassing me every year in May and inquires about the release of my rosters. He brags about the fact that he doesn’t have to edit the rosters because I do all the work… and he reaps in all the profits. For anyone that is interested I still have every email that Brian Kaldenberg sent to me last summer. So there is documented proof of his treachery. If you go to his site, FKrosters.com, he continues to use my name to promote his products. I have asked him several times to remove my name, FAIRDALE KINGS, from his promotions but he continues to pimp his site using my personna.

This year I will once again be releasing “free” rosters. I am in the process of starting a new website that will be named Fairdale-Kings.com and the rosters will be available for download there as well as OperationSports.com, NCAAStrategies.com and MaddenMania.com because those sites have always supported my efforts.

If anyone wants to contact me I am not hard to find. My email address is fairdalekings@msn.com or you can contact me through XBox Live. My gamertag is FAIRDALE KINGS.

Thanks!

Victor Vasquez

FAIRDALE KINGS

Fairdale-Kings.com COMING SOON!!!!
http://Fairdale-Kings.com Victor Vasquez (FAIRDALE KINGS)

First, I want to respond to the Todd Zuniga article appearing on ESPN.com that was brought to my attention today. It is completely ridiculous to think that Brian Kaldenberg has attracted this much attention again and free publicity. Brian Kaldenberg is the owner of the site known as Gamerosters.com and I sold him my site, FKrosters.com in December through a third-party buyer. It was not until the sale was finalized that I knew the identity of the new owner.

Anyway, my name is FAIRDALE KINGS. I was the owner of a website known as FKrosters.com that provided free rosters for the NCAA Football series since 2003. This year will be my seventh intallment of rosters that I have released to the public. I’ve worked with DT Linder at PS2rosters.com (now known as PSXsports.com) and released XBox rosters in the beginning. I’ve actually been a member of the EA Sports Community Leader’s Program and have pretty good relationships with many of the NCAA/Madden gaming communities so I am known & respected in the gaming community. For the past three years I have actually released my rosters before the game was “officially” released.

Since 2005 Brian Kaldenberg has been stealing my rosters and selling them on his site without my permission. I’ve asked him numerous times to remove my work but he refuses. Last year Brian harassed me for eight months to sell my site to him. He begins harassing me every year in May and inquires about the release of my rosters. He brags about the fact that he doesn’t have to edit the rosters because I do all the work… and he reaps in all the profits. For anyone that is interested I still have every email that Brian Kaldenberg sent to me last summer. So there is documented proof of his treachery. If you go to his site, FKrosters.com, he continues to use my name to promote his products. I have asked him several times to remove my name, FAIRDALE KINGS, from his promotions but he continues to pimp his site using my personna.

This year I will once again be releasing “free” rosters. I am in the process of starting a new website that will be named Fairdale-Kings.com and the rosters will be available for download there as well as OperationSports.com, NCAAStrategies.com and MaddenMania.com because those sites have always supported my efforts.

If anyone wants to contact me I am not hard to find. My email address is fairdalekings@msn.com or you can contact me through XBox Live. My gamertag is FAIRDALE KINGS.

Thanks!

Victor Vasquez

FAIRDALE KINGS

Fairdale-Kings.com COMING SOON!!!!
http://www.gamerosters.com/ Brian Kaldenberg

This is Brian Kaldenberg with Gamerosters.com. The poster today on operationsports is not me nor anyone affiliated with Gamerosters. Secondly, we do not steal the rosters.

Finally, yes we do charge. There are plenty of places to get rosters and many places you can get them for free.

We charge for them, and with that our customers enjoy excellent customer service and very fast shipping.

I would appreciate it if you call me Pasta Padre.

My line is 515-669-6560. Anyone else who would like to talk about this artice is free to call me too.
http://www.gamerosters.com/ Brian Kaldenberg

This is Brian Kaldenberg with Gamerosters.com. The poster today on operationsports is not me nor anyone affiliated with Gamerosters. Secondly, we do not steal the rosters.

Finally, yes we do charge. There are plenty of places to get rosters and many places you can get them for free.

We charge for them, and with that our customers enjoy excellent customer service and very fast shipping.

I would appreciate it if you call me Pasta Padre.

My line is 515-669-6560. Anyone else who would like to talk about this artice is free to call me too.
http://www.gamerosters.com Brian Kaldenberg

This is Brian Kaldenberg with Gamerosters.com. The poster today on operationsports is not me nor anyone affiliated with Gamerosters. Secondly, we do not steal the rosters.

Finally, yes we do charge. There are plenty of places to get rosters and many places you can get them for free.

We charge for them, and with that our customers enjoy excellent customer service and very fast shipping.

I would appreciate it if you call me Pasta Padre.

My line is 515-669-6560. Anyone else who would like to talk about this artice is free to call me too.
Da Birthday Boy

Why would Pasta or anyone else want to call you? No one wants to buy your rosters its EA Locker now, sorry.
Da Birthday Boy

Why would Pasta or anyone else want to call you? No one wants to buy your rosters its EA Locker now, sorry.
Da Birthday Boy

Why would Pasta or anyone else want to call you? No one wants to buy your rosters its EA Locker now, sorry.
http://operationsports.com/ Chase Becotte (Slizeezyc)

Absolute chaos. I never knew any of these guys by names (except FK) but I thought it was odd when that BK article went up a while back, but since no one said anything when it originally showed up on 1UP I figured he wasn’t one of the bad ones….Whoops.

Either way that thread on OS today was epic.
http://operationsports.com/ Chase Becotte (Slizeezyc)

Absolute chaos. I never knew any of these guys by names (except FK) but I thought it was odd when that BK article went up a while back, but since no one said anything when it originally showed up on 1UP I figured he wasn’t one of the bad ones….Whoops.

Either way that thread on OS today was epic.
http://operationsports.com Chase Becotte (Slizeezyc)

Absolute chaos. I never knew any of these guys by names (except FK) but I thought it was odd when that BK article went up a while back, but since no one said anything when it originally showed up on 1UP I figured he wasn’t one of the bad ones….Whoops.

Either way that thread on OS today was epic.
coogrfan

[quote comment="22105"]This is Brian Kaldenberg with Gamerosters.com. The poster today on operationsports is not me nor anyone affiliated with Gamerosters. Secondly, we do not steal the rosters.[/quote]

Bollocks.

I remember you vividly from your ill-advised taunt fest over at at Maddenmania in June of 2005. The sheer arrogance you displayed then, coupled with what we know of your correspondence with FK, exactly mirrored that of “JunJun2323″ today at OS.

There isn’t the slightest doubt that it was you. This pathetic attempt at spin control is going to fool no one.
coogrfan

[quote comment="22105"]This is Brian Kaldenberg with Gamerosters.com. The poster today on operationsports is not me nor anyone affiliated with Gamerosters. Secondly, we do not steal the rosters.[/quote]

Bollocks.

I remember you vividly from your ill-advised taunt fest over at at Maddenmania in June of 2005. The sheer arrogance you displayed then, coupled with what we know of your correspondence with FK, exactly mirrored that of “JunJun2323″ today at OS.

There isn’t the slightest doubt that it was you. This pathetic attempt at spin control is going to fool no one.