CBSSports Launches "SportsLine" Daily Fantasy Product
Another daily fantasy sports provider has emerged backed by a major media company, as CBSSports has launched their daily fantasy product under a brand called SportsLine.
Sportsline also features CBSSports’ expert picks for betting and fantasy sports, but has recently launched its own daily fantasy platform, which claims to be “perfected by experts.” These experts include handicappers, sport-specific writers and fantasy analysts.
The daily fantasy product currently features MLB contests, and they do offer a unique set up relative to the other major players in DFS. SportsLine daily fantasy uses a tiered format for selecting players, as gamers will pick one athlete on nine different tiers to build their lineup to submit for the contests. It is similar to the old DraftStreet pick ‘em games, which replaces the point-per-dollar way of looking at DFS with a more comparison-based approach.
Contests currently range from freerolls to a $100 double-up, and as of the first day of live action on the site, there is no rake. There are currently only three game variants in the lobby: a “winner take all” format, a “booster” format where the top few spots multiply their entry fee, and double-ups. There is currently no option for head-to-head contests.
MLB is the only sport with live contests, and is, therefore, the only sport where we can take a look at the scoring format. Pitchers are judged on innings pitched, strikeouts, runs, hits, walks and hit batsmen allowed, and given points for a win. Batters receive three points per total base on a hit, two points for a walk, four points for runs scored or batted in, three for a steal, and lose one for being struck out.
As of the first day of live action, the lobby is pretty bare in terms of features, but with only 11 contests to browse, there isn’t a huge need for options for sorting the lobby. Once a lineup is built, the “Upcoming” tab allows for quick edits to lineups, and quick entry into other eligible contests.
The SportsLine daily fantasy product seems to be starting slowly and building to something more. The entire SportsLine brand is being built to serve sports fans who seek to put their money on the line predicting games and outcomes, and this daily fantasy product appears to be a step in the right direction.
Note: You do not need to become a “SportsLine Pro” to play in paid contests. Simply click on the first link under your username in the upper right to be brought to the cashier to add funds to your wallet, which you can then use in paid contests.