We launched Fight For The Top about two and a half months ago (one third of the time, I've been on top), and it's turned into a fun little Facebook Application. Like all our products thus far, it grew to where it is organically. No ads, marketing or publicity.

Today that changes. We asked ESPN's ad group to create a banner ad for it, and the ad went into rotation today on ESPN.com.

Let's hope it brings in some new challengers.

Today marks the completion of our most recent, month-long Facebook project "Fight for the Top". The game itself is quite ingenious. While the notion of a pick 'em style game isn't new, the notion of a punishing pick 'em style game is (to me at least). The basic premise of the game is "Don't guess wrong", because if you do your entire streak is reset. Imagine if this game had been out for the past couple years. You'd built a streak of say 423 games right in-a-row by picking only majorly major favorites. You look at the matchups for opening weekend College Football last September. "Michigan at home vs App St.? Please. No brainer." And on Sunday you're on par with Gene Parmesan who just signed up 15 minutes ago. That's the beauty of the game. It is ruthless. So pick all the 1s vs 16s in the first round of next year's March Madness. I dare you. One year that pick is gonna break your heart.

And speaking of streaks, after watching video of the 03/04 Arsenal squad, "The Invincibles", who went undefeated in 49 straight games, I wish I'd gotten into soccer earlier. I've played my entire life, but it was never on TV save for the World Cup and (ahem) the MLS. But watching highlights of that squad - the artistry of Henry, the brilliance of Pires, the wall-like nature of Lehmann - it was like nothing I've ever seen. They were just so FAST! And wildly inventive. Try and track down a highlight from the first game of that 03/04 season against Southampton and watch Pires' 3rd goal of that match. About 5 yards outside the box a deflection is coming to him. He sneaks a peek at the keeper and sees he's maybe 6 or 7 yards off the line. So of course he one-times a 20-yard chip over the keeper's outstretched arms into the back of the net. Such a ridiculous goal. Pires in his prime was one of the all-time greats.

Keep an eye out for Fight for the Top early next week!

In conclusion,

FIGHT FOR THE TOP!

FIGHT!