I need to update followers on a major change in my personal and professional life…and to thank them as well. I did not advertise this when it happened because there was little need to at the time. In June of 2015, I sold FantasyGuru.com after a 12-month process. I stayed on board with an employment contract, so it’s been three and a half years since I had full control of the site I had founded back in 1995; and as of today, I am no longer employed by the site or its parent company. Leaving was my choice, not theirs, and I wish them the best (especially superstars Joe Dolan and Tom Brolley).
To explain just how indebted I am to former and current subscribers—as well as present and past contributors—a brief history of the site and how it started is in order for those who don’t know my story or how FantasyGuru came into existence.
In 1994, I was a 25-year old with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and had designs on a career in broadcasting. But as the sole provider for my family, I was concerned that I couldn’t support my wife (still in college) and young son (now 26) while also paying my dues in media. I was making $7.50/hour as a radio DJ at the time, so my concerns were warranted. Back then, there were far fewer media opportunities, since the internet was in its infancy. I attempted to find a new line of work that would boost our bottom line, but things didn’t go well at all. At that low point in the fall of ’94, the only good things I had going for me were my wife, son, and fantasy football. I knew I had a passion for fantasy and sports in general, but since I had also previously been the co-owner of a pizzeria, I additionally realized that I needed to work for myself and control my own destiny…and that I certainly didn’t want to be flipping pies for the next 40 years (not that there’s anything wrong with that, and I actually still dream of opening up a pizzeria).
So, long story short, that’s how I came up with the idea to start a little hard-copy fantasy football newsletter the following football season. I was incredibly lucky in many ways during those early years; so lucky, in fact, that in 1996, ESPN somehow found and contacted me about contributing content to the new fantasy football area of their site. Talk about fortuitous.
But while I had good timing, a lot of good fortune, and was willing to work my ass off, I was also learning on the fly about owning and running a business, learning new technology and about the ever-expanding web, marketing, etc.—pretty much everything, since I didn’t have a solid background in anything I was attempting to do with this company and publication. Oh, and I also had to learn a lot more about football. Mistakes were made, lessons were learned, and despite some screwups, I’ve been able achieve all of the goals I set in ’95…and then some.
And the whole point of this letter is to thank the people who made all that possible through their support of my little enterprise by subscribing and helping spread the word. I used to know most of you by name, but that became impossible a long time ago. I always tried to overdeliver for subscribers, but that also took a toll on my well-being and the well-being of my family, and there were times when I set my sights too high, tried to do too much, and got burned. But there were many, many loyal customers who were happy to come along for the ride while accepting both the good and bad that came with the madcap worlds of NFL football and emerging technologies. I took a lot of pride in having a constantly-improving service that didn’t raise its price in over 20 years. That was one of the ways I attempted to thank the loyal customers, and I’m thanking you again right here.
It’s surreal to think back on how low I was back in ’94 and how, over the next 23 years, I was able to provide for my family and have a career in sports. But the NFL and fantasy football have given me even more than that. When I started the newsletter/site, I liked the idea of kind of being in media, but I did also basically give up on a career in broadcasting, which was my childhood dream. Yet, thanks to fantasy football, I was able to find a back door into broadcasting and land numerous gigs over the last 20+ years. I just finished my 15th season on SiriusXM and my fifth season on DirecTV.
As for what’s in store for me, I’m not retiring or anything like that. I expect to be making a significant announcement about my SXM Radio show within the coming weeks, and I will remain on the DirecTV Fantasy Zone Channel for as long as it’s around and they’re inclined to employ me. But my work with the site has always enabled me to do these media gigs with little to no preparation, so I do want to continue producing projections, etc. because it helps me perform my media jobs to the best of my ability and it’s the only process I know. I actually did projections last week for the Wild Card Round of the playoffs, but just for myself, since there were not published anywhere.
I’ll use my Twitter account (@Fantasy_Guru) to update people on what I’m doing, probably for the remainder of my career. Speaking of that career, I say again: it would not have existed had it not been for the people who followed and supported me and my endeavors, so thank you very much!
John Hansen
John Hansen's blog 
You’ve assisted me in the fantasy league that I’ve been in for the past 24 years and thanks for that! The only reason I subscribe to XM radio is for the Fantasy Sports channel. lol It’s the only station I listen to…and maybe a little Mad Dog sprinkled in. Anyways, I love the morning shows each day during football season and hope you continue to provide your extensive football knowledge to us. Thanks again!
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I always greatly valued your analysis of the incoming rookies!
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John, you remain a gentleman & a scholar my brother! I’m a loyal listener to your SXM show and a fan of you personally!
You probably won’t remember me, but I contacted you a year ago by Twitter (Which I suck at & still don’t like using it.) to let you know that I included a nod to you in a song I released called “Perfect (For Me)”.
Verse 2 had the line “I said SORRY, I don’t mean to state…”. Each & every time I sang it , I kept wanting to exaggerate the word “sorry” like your drop from “Curb Your Enthusiasm”.
I would love to work on a “theme song” for any of your shows & have several ideas! Please e-mail me, so I can send you some theme song ideas I have for you in the future!
Until then, I wish you good luck & good health! I will continue to be a fan and follow your work, wherever it takes you!
Take care brother!
– Michael Lemon
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thanks, man! my email is gurrific@gmail.com
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You are the reason I won the past three years Fantasy Football Championships. Your advice is incredibly accurate. Where can we get your projections for the upcoming season?
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Thank You John for all the dedication you have given to us over all these years and the sport. You have helped me win a couple of titles and at a minimum be a force to wreck with in my leagues and I thank you. You are a key reason why Fantasy Football has earned the respect of many athletes today, due to your passion and being a student of the game. You will be missed, but look forward to following you in the next Chapter of your journey.
Sincerely,
Greg
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And what a ride it’s been. The brand you created has by far been one of the biggest measuring sticks in the entire fantasy industry. I am FG loyal since about 2002 when I stumbled across the magazine in my local food store. Became a website subscriber within a year or so after that. Lot of odd emotions from reading this news. Sad yet hopeful, afraid and at same time optimistic. Feels like I’ve lost a relative (like a 2nd cousin twice removed) in a way. Thank YOU for all you’ve given to the industry and us subscribers. Looking forward to the news and the future of the legend that is THE Guru. Best of luck Guru! Where you go Irish Flyers will follow. Be well and be Guriffic in whatever you do.
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John, Best of luck to you. Have used your services for the last 10+years and have always enjoyed all of your insight. Again hope all goes well for you. A dedicated subscriber.
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What a great announcement. I “sleep like a baby” after listening to your show, and when I look for entertaining fantasy advice I don’t call jack Doyle—I listen to you!! Keep at it!
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Good Luck Guru. Hope to still be able to hear you on Sirius. Thanks for all of the entertainment over the years.
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Going to miss you Guru!
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I’m still alive!
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Going to miss you Guru! My son & I have been loyal followers for many years.
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Not really going anywhere so you’re good!
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Thanks and good luck!
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Guuurriffic, yeah! Avid morning drive listener on SXM and absolutely laugh out loud at your commentary and banter with Caplan, Paul, Charlie Weis, Torry Holt, etc. Just being an avid listener 5 days a week for the past 2-3 years driving to work gave me an unfair (and untold) advantage over the knuckleheads in my two leagues. You are a great on-air talent and look forward to hearing about your new endeavor. Congrats on launching a 20+ year successful venture and I’m sure the next 20 years will be just as rewarding. Love your work!
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Hi John,
Congratulation! I look forward to hearing about your next adventure.
I am so glad we will still hear you on SXM. I get a lot of listening time being on the road almost 3 hours everyday!
Thanks for all of your great advice.
Dave Burnett
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Guru. Been a subscriber back when you and adam caplan had your own sites. I will miss many things that are specific to you. Good vibes and bad vibes, draft plan, and your music recommendations (The National, Manchester Orchestra, and Spoon are a just a few). Again, LT fan and hopeful you still get to give us a piece of your passion to help us. Thank you
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John,
While I’m sad to learn you’re leaving the web site, I’m very happy for you and your personal achievements and whatever lies in your future. I have listened to you and subscribed to your site for several years and owe a great deal of my success to you and your expertise and hard work! I have listened to you at 7am during my commute into DC during the football seasons for years and have truly enjoyed your humor and insight! I have also used your draft prep and weekly rankings for years and have won many championships! And for that – I am grateful my friend. I know you don’t know me, but I feel like I know you….and while I may have to find a new site, I will continue to listen to you on your shows! Best of luck bra!
Jeremy Ellis
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Some nice words, man, thanks!
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Good luck on the next chapter John. I know I speak for thousands of us that started our mornings in the fall listening not only to your powerful insight but also delighted by your humorous banter, expressing our gratitude and excitement for what is to come next.
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thank you sir
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I rarely miss a show of yours and have been a loyal subscriber for 10 years or so. I am so glad you will remain on SXM. I wish you all the best with whatever route you choose to take your career. You da best!
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thank you sir
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great comment, Jim, thanks!
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Guru. You know you can’t stay away. I need that draft guide!!! I got a startup dynasty league this year and I don’t trust anyone but you. If your not putting out a draft guide can you recommend one that you trust.
Ps I love the morning show and wish nothing but the best for you and your family.
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haha, true, news coming soon!
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John….first of a thanks for all you do. I listen to your show daily. I have won 5 league championships (two more than anyone else can claim) since I began following you several years ago. For my money, you are the best in the business and are probably responsible for the most league championships of any of the so-called experts. That said….I suppose when you retire you will also be responsible for the most fantasy football teams tanking. Take home message…..you cant quit!!! Please don’t let us suck again!!! Hope to you still plan to do a draft guide. I’m truly lost without it.
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John, I’ve been a subscriber, fan, listener, & follower of yours for over a decade. Because of that, I am the winningest & most hated FFB owner of my league. I consider you my secret weapon that I tell no one in my league about. LOL… So I need to know, where should I go next? Who can I trust? You are my guy, I trust your gut instincts over any next gen data analytics any day. I need those weekly rankings/projections & draft guides. I’m holding out on renewing my subscription to your old site in hopes that your content popup somewhere else. I also can’t believe the drastic increase in price of that site. Especially with you being a major contributor of the content not being there. Thanks for your hard work and I will continue to listen every morning and watching my feeds, waiting for some good news.
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Thank you. For 2019, I’ll be only on SXM and Directv, but I’m wide open to do anything starting in 2020
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Thanks John for all the content through the years….I have been a religious listener almost every day the past 3 or 4 years with your show on Sirius XM. (Love the shows with you and Caplan, with the comedy you bring to the show each day) Wishing you the best and appreciate all the advise you have given everyone!
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Thank you Guru,I’ve been a very happy subscriber since 2001 and have listened to you on SXM for a few years.I try to listen to you every day now “on demand”.All of your articles were great to read,I think your draft plan was my favirite. Thanks to you fantasy football has given me happiness & joy through some of my darkest hours in life and I’ve won several championships.My league mates refer to me as Guru,haha.While I’m sad about you leaving the site,I look forward to listening to you now.I am not a big fan of some of the guys that run your site now(mans & flowers) . I am still subscribed through this year.My top priority is to stay linked to your incredible fantasy knowledge,but if not,who/where do you recommend I go? And if your suggestion is to stay on the site,then cool.Love you brah!!
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Thank you, Peter. For 2019, I’m just doing SXM and Directv, but things will be different in 2020
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Yikes I’m late to the party. A couple months ago I re-upped to FG using the non-existent promo code JOHNHANSENFOREVER mostly for my own amusement, but also figuring there’s a chance you’d see it in a list of user errors attempting bad discount codes. Initially I wasn’t too worried that I didn’t see anything under your byline on the website, because I figured it’s the slow season, you’ve hired capable young people, and you deserve a vacation. Should have investigated sooner because it was only yesterday when I realized your name isn’t a choice in the dropdown list when searching by author. Had a sinking feeling that prompted me to find answers. Never dreamed I’d miss such big news when I let my new car’s Sirius subscription end in December. Good sir, I strongly attribute my fantasy success over the past 13+ years to your insight & also to tuning out any non-gurrific fantasy voices. (And especially to fading any Caplan advice that doesn’t pertain to an injury.) It sounds like you’re happy about the changes, so I’m happy for you! Now I just need to get on the ball and figure out how to keep current-ish with your advice moving forward. Thanks for everything and warmest regards,
Jim Reilly
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Thanks, Jim. For 2019, I’m going to do just SXM and Directv, but I’ll be able to do another site if I so choose in 2020 and beyond
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John is there any other platform where your loyalists like my self can get your list of players to target that you would have put in your Draft Plan/Gurrific on the old site? I CAN’T function without that list. Will you post that list on this blog? Good luck and God bless.
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Hi John, I had my best fantasy football season last year. I almost won it all if it were not for AB blowing up. Any-who, your drafting spreadsheet was awesome help. Is there anyway I can get the 2019 drafting spreadsheet?
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John Hansen…you sir…are the MAN! Wish you nothing but the best moving forward. Although selfishly, I am scrambling to find a new platform! I re-upped not knowing about the changes; the new price should have tipped me off. Anyone out there, please don’t hesitate to give me some options.
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I too am late to the game, of course, that is what our local fantasy FB guru would expect. I’m a casual player and judiciously rely on the expertise of those that professionally follow the game for my insights and strategy.
You tell a great story and have been entertaining me on my morning commute for several years now. You are the reason I subscribe to XM. Good luck to you, your family, and your future pursuits. I’ll hang out at FG for one more year and see what 2020 brings. I’m sure you could not have imagined where this gig would have taken you from your perch in 1995. Your story is a lesson in what hard work, a dream, and perseverance will bring you.
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Guru Guru you have given me many years of entertainment and so much more quality information! Thank you for your service. The thing I relied on the most was your draft cheat sheet, how can I get my hands on your A1 draft sheet? Love you, brother.
Hugh Jasole out.
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John,
I too just learned of these events when i went to renew my membership – I’m already in a panic thinking of how I will prepare for my draft without your draft manifesto, by far and away the best draft prep out there! I also echo the thoughts of many before and I credit much of my success in fantasy to the insight gained from listening to you and reading your content. You are an entertaining and informative listen. You even made a convert of Charlie Weiss regarding fantasy who talks about you often on NFL Network saying you prepare as much as a coach!
I look forward to hearing you an the radio and TV and to see where you resurface online next year (hopefully sooner!)
All the best!
Dan
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Aww man, I had no idea until today and roughly a few weeks after re-upping my sub to the website that you were no longer affiliated. Your Top 200 draft guide with personal rankings vs ADP was my go to. Now, I feel this fantasy year. I’m just a guy (JAG). Good luck John, hope to see you next year!
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John,
Been a subscriber since 2007 when you were all in on the Broncos (Cutler, Marshall, Royal) and CJ2k was your sleeper of the year. Won a title in my first year as a Guru subscriber and been hooked ever since. Been listening regularly on Sirius for 3-4 years now which has been great! But hearing the news of not having your epic cheat sheet at the draft feels like a swift kick to the nuts. Any who, I’ll keep listening on Sirius and hopefully get your printed stuff (draft plan, good vibes, players to target, epic cheat sheet) in 2020. Damn! Can’t believe I’m just getting the news…
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John! I’m late finding out about this as being too focusing on fantasy baseball until this time of year. I will start tuning in again to you for my morning commute and learning all I can for the upcoming season. Win or lose, I appreciate all the efforts you put in through the years. Whatever Guru we get is better than none so happy you are still on the air! Thanks for all you have given us through the years and hope you find that balance between football and taking care of yourself and spending time with your family this season. Speaking of, did Caplan ever wash and wax your car? That would free up some of your time!
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John,
Wow just hearing this news as well it feels a little like a breakup. Even though I don’t know you personally I feel like I know you. Been a subscriber since 2007 when you were all in on the Broncos (Cutler, Marshall and Royal) and CJ2K was a rookie and your sleeper of the year. Been listening to you on Sirius for the last 5 years and I’m wondering what I’m going to do without your epic one page cheat sheet, top 200 with highlighted players, values and players to target article, good vibes/bad vibes, just so much goodness! Any who, thank you for all your hard work, your guruisms, all the success we had over the years. I’ll still be listening on Sirius regularly and will start having to take notes as I listen now. Really excited for your next step in 2020, hope you find a way to get your amazing content published somewhere. Thanks Guru!
Jeremy Rotan
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Guru — just heard the news about the website, but listen to you all the time on Sirius (which I hope will continue). YOU ARE AWESOME (along with Mr. C and Paul Kelly). We are both from NJ (Berkeley Heights for me), and are fans of the Vikings (my love randomly from playing them on TECMO Bowl growing up) and Duke basketball (I graduated in 1995).
Small request: Can you please remind me of the ADP rankings that you think are so tight? I’ve heard you mention the site several times on the radio — lots of professional, big money players involved…. Thanks!
I vote for a new site in 2020 btw!!
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Happy Birthday John! I’m not on Twitter but I’ll follow you here. Best wishes and hope you have a Guriffic Birthday!
Irv
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Thanks John for your brilliant knowledge. Enjoy time with the family and look forward to your great insight in the future.
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HaaHaa I knew there was something amiss at FG! I had only been reading your BIG draft guide I now realize. I too am just finding out about your departure. Any chance we can pay you for a yearly Draft Guide now? I’m gonna’ need it to keep performing in my leagues! Thank you sir for all the help these past 20 years!
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Thank you JOHN, I wanted to subcribe to Sirius for a while and now know that I have to. I can echo all of the comments that I’ve read here and tho feel a loss of your insights for the upcoming season, I feel confident that you have inspired me to be GURRIFIC. Thanx again and good luck in all that life brings!
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Guru, I have been doing fantasy football since 1990, and listened to your show with caplan in the early years. it was the most informative content before it was available everywhere like today . Over the years, I have used your website and rankings religiously, and have won several championships. Since you have been one of the pioneers of fantasy football analysis, and due to your track record over the years, you are the only one I really trust. I was devastated today, when I renewed my membership on f guru and learned that you are no longer there! It is not the same without you so i cancelled. Your rankings and frequently updated comments were priceless. I listen to you daily on Sirius fantasy, but my secret weapon is now gone. You have talked about your rankings on air, but are your rankings available to view anywhere? If not, I guess I need a pen and paper and take notes. I hope you decide to do another football website next year. Thank you for all of your help over the years, and best of luck and happiness to you with all of your endeavors!
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You secretly sold the company for whatever reason. The fact you didn’t give full disclosure is wrong. After change of ownership the newly owned Guru site started to offer longer memberships as much as ten year memberships, as they knew this news would get out. Most People PAID for a Guru membership to get the Guru rankings and insite. I feel ripped off now and tricked. I do not want other people’s opinion from your old website.
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I ran that thing as I did basically until the day I left, no one had a clue I sold it for over four years, which means the standards were maintained. I was not obligated to divulge that is was sold, and I proceeded as usual, until I left. It took many people *years* to realize I had left, which I have no control over.
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John, thanks for all the years of insight and guidance and bringing a strong cast of characters to the website. Congrats to you and your family for all your successes. Your dedicated fans so appreciate your weekly detailed analysis and hints. Your passion to be Gurrific has always shown through! Thanks you. P.S. I have adopted the Eagles as one of my favorite teams due to you, whether the players are favored in the Top 200 or not.
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thank you, and you are welcome
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I must say, as a long time Guru subscriber, the old gray mare aint what she used to be after you left. Gotta be my first year ever to wonder if will be my last.
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it’s all about fantasy points!
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