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:

DLane

[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.
jleezy

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
jleezy

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
ghettoshark

[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.
ghettoshark

[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.
Gotham7

Interesting internet drama going on here, lol.
Gotham7

Interesting internet drama going on here, lol.
http://www.historicgamerosters.com/ Historic Game Rosters

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.
http://www.historicgamerosters.com Historic Game Rosters

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.
Maurice N.

Go to http://www.moesportsblog.com for more
Maurice N.

Go to http://www.moesportsblog.com for more
http://www.historicgamerosters.com/ Historic Game Rosters

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
http://www.historicgamerosters.com Historic Game Rosters

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
Ryan

Historical Game Rosters, I don’t think this is a place to advertise your rosters. Take your business elsewhere please.
Ryan

Historical Game Rosters, I don’t think this is a place to advertise your rosters. Take your business elsewhere please.
Kmart2180

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.
Kmart2180

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.
Anonyman

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?
Anonyman

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?
http://www.maddenwars.com/ Moostache (Dan)

[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…
http://www.maddenwars.com Moostache (Dan)

[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…
baumy300

[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.
baumy300

[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.
http://www.youtube.com/historicgamerosters Historicgamerosters

[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.
http://www.youtube.com/historicgamerosters Historicgamerosters

[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.
http://www.youtube.com/historicgamerosters Historicgamerosters

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.
http://www.youtube.com/historicgamerosters Historicgamerosters

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.
Seth

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.
Seth

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.
DLane

[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.
DLane

[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.
redskinsfan21

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
redskinsfan21

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
ghettoshark

[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]

His memory card purchase service is not illegal. If it weren’t for the outrageously high markup prices, it’d be a decent buy. But it’s the download service and mail-in service that is illegal. He’s not giving you anything but the roster file in both of those two services, and he’s making a profit off of it.
ghettoshark

[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]

His memory card purchase service is not illegal. If it weren’t for the outrageously high markup prices, it’d be a decent buy. But it’s the download service and mail-in service that is illegal. He’s not giving you anything but the roster file in both of those two services, and he’s making a profit off of it.
Seth

[quote comment="22237"][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]

His memory card purchase service is not illegal. If it weren’t for the outrageously high markup prices, it’d be a decent buy. But it’s the download service and mail-in service that is illegal. He’s not giving you anything but the roster file in both of those two services, and he’s making a profit off of it.[/quote]

good point, there is a definite difference
Seth

[quote comment="22237"][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]

His memory card purchase service is not illegal. If it weren’t for the outrageously high markup prices, it’d be a decent buy. But it’s the download service and mail-in service that is illegal. He’s not giving you anything but the roster file in both of those two services, and he’s making a profit off of it.[/quote]

good point, there is a definite difference
Aaron

[quote comment="22173"]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[/quote]

Ya I’m still not sure why he posted a link to Pasta about NCAA basketball exlusive rights when it proved nothing that we already know?
Aaron

[quote comment="22173"]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[/quote]

Ya I’m still not sure why he posted a link to Pasta about NCAA basketball exlusive rights when it proved nothing that we already know?
http://www.operationsports.com/ PJ

This ESPN article is ridiculous. Once again Kaldenburg you reap the benefits of an uneducated sports gaming community. Just know that your reign of lying, cheating, and stealing will be coming to an end soon enough. Oh and why don’t you try your hand at spamming the OS boards again, I would love to ban your sorry ass one more time.
http://www.operationsports.com PJ

This ESPN article is ridiculous. Once again Kaldenburg you reap the benefits of an uneducated sports gaming community. Just know that your reign of lying, cheating, and stealing will be coming to an end soon enough. Oh and why don’t you try your hand at spamming the OS boards again, I would love to ban your sorry ass one more time.
alex96

Oh, wow Brian you sold 3 memory cards! That’s really exciting, Whenever i hear gamerosters again i am gonna so kick someones ***. Who even buys rosters? That’s just a ripoff. This Brian Kaldenass sucks balls.
alex96

Oh, wow Brian you sold 3 memory cards! That’s really exciting, Whenever i hear gamerosters again i am gonna so kick someones ***. Who even buys rosters? That’s just a ripoff. This Brian Kaldenass sucks balls.
http://www.1up.com/ Todd Zuniga

It’s really me.

I’ve been posting, and blogging about this, and we’ll discuss this entire topic on 1up’s Sports Anomaly podcast this week–should make for some interesting chatter!
http://www.1up.com Todd Zuniga

It’s really me.

I’ve been posting, and blogging about this, and we’ll discuss this entire topic on 1up’s Sports Anomaly podcast this week–should make for some interesting chatter!
auburntigersfan

he think his business will live on because of people w/o xbox live, but the funny thing is if a person doesn’t have xbox live they normally don’t really care much about names on rosters.
auburntigersfan

he think his business will live on because of people w/o xbox live, but the funny thing is if a person doesn’t have xbox live they normally don’t really care much about names on rosters.
http://backnineblog.wordpress.com/ JBHuskers

Definitely agree with you there Tigersfan. IIRC, 90% of 360 users have XBOX Live subscriptions…I could be wrong, but I thought I heard it somewhere. This guy’s cocky attitude has dug him a hole he won’t be able to dig out of.

I just love the fact that he threatens with lawyers and such when the NCAA can (and probably will with this publicity) sue him up the ass for good.

The best thing you can do is post it on every blog you know, every website you know, use words like “Free NCAA Football 09 Rosters” or “Do NOT pay for NCAA Football 09 Rosters” in your title to get traffic to educate people to not buy from this scumbag and thief. His posts on OS and here pretty much say it all, he lies and to quote myself, “Kaldenberg wouldn’t be worth the toilet paper I wipe my ass on”.

I think with the ESPN debacle, his days of getting by will come to an end.
http://backnineblog.wordpress.com JBHuskers

Definitely agree with you there Tigersfan. IIRC, 90% of 360 users have XBOX Live subscriptions…I could be wrong, but I thought I heard it somewhere. This guy’s cocky attitude has dug him a hole he won’t be able to dig out of.

I just love the fact that he threatens with lawyers and such when the NCAA can (and probably will with this publicity) sue him up the ass for good.

The best thing you can do is post it on every blog you know, every website you know, use words like “Free NCAA Football 09 Rosters” or “Do NOT pay for NCAA Football 09 Rosters” in your title to get traffic to educate people to not buy from this scumbag and thief. His posts on OS and here pretty much say it all, he lies and to quote myself, “Kaldenberg wouldn’t be worth the toilet paper I wipe my ass on”.

I think with the ESPN debacle, his days of getting by will come to an end.
TestyCake

lol @ ESPN deleting all the comments that were on the article

http://myespn.go.com/s/conversations/show/story/3373689