First, the news, for those who haven’t heard it: OPEN Sports is apparently no longer operating. Navigating to OpenSports.com will deliver you to a Network Solutions “under construction” page. Attempting to visit FantasyLive.com, which OPEN Sports rolled out for the start of football season, won’t take you anywhere.

Many of our readers are probably already aware of this development, and we have been as well since last month. Frankly, there are two reasons that FSB.com has not mentioned the change at OPEN before now:

1) At the time we found out, it appeared that the situation had reached this point long enough prior that many within the fantasy sports industry knew. It seemed like one of those things that we failed to notice in the crunch of football season.

2) We haven’t been able to track down any specific information on what transpired.

OPEN Sports drew immediate attention because it was created by Sportsline founder Mike Levy. It further made a splash by landing a deal to provide fantasy games for FOXSports.com.

FSB.com has yet to inquire with FOX about its plans for 2011 fantasy baseball, and a message on the site’s landing page for that game (as of Sunday night) says: “We are currently preparing FOX Fantasy Baseball for the 2011 season. Please check back in mid-February to join or create a league.”

This update comes as a result of the trickle of e-mails we’ve been receiving over the past month as more fantasy folks become aware of the OPEN situation. We’ll share any further information that might become available.

A roundup of items recently posted on the FSB News page.

– New Sporting News publisher Jeff Price spoke earlier this month about his decision to dump fantasy games and focus on content. The story also mentions, however, a plan to bring games back to SN, perhaps as early as this football season — likely something that incorporates social media.

– OPEN Sports is going after a third round of venture-capital funding, according to Sports Business Journal, after two initial rounds that tallied $14 million in backing.

– USA Today fantasy writer Steve Gardner says that fantasy owners who think they’re smart should try simulation games that put them in complete control.

– A partnership with the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour will mean a $1,000 grand prize at the end of the season for the winner of the Fantasy Action Sports League game, which is free to enter.

Send all of your news, job postings, stories and profile ideas to FantasySportsBusiness@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter (FSBcom).

A roundup of items recently posted on the FSB News page.

– The news slipped by us at holiday time, but Mastersball.com and CREATiVE Sports have merged, operating under the Mastersball heading since the start of 2010. As fantasy veteran Lawr Michaels explains in his open letter to readers, the move combines staffs long on experience. The outlet is also part of Fantasy Sports Ventures’ Fantasy Players Network.

– Fantazzle is looking to hire a full-time social-media guru and add a few interns.

– Perhaps you’re sitting there looking over the RotoWire fantasy baseball draft kit on your PC and iPhone, wishing that you could get just one more electronic format. Well, if you’re a Kindle owner, you can now purchase the baseball preview magazine wirelessly.

– OPENSports.com’s Chris Chester states it in terms that I probably wouldn’t use, but his issues with the iPad pertaining to viewing baseball games and accessing fantasy baseball make sense.

– The NFL RedZone Channel on my cell phone? Yes, please. (Now all I need is a phone on which I can watch it …) The appeal of this channel to fantasy players is obvious for anyone familiar with the concept. If you’ve been asleep for a while, it’s a channel that shows every score (touchdowns and field goals) through the day games on NFL Sundays, switching live to contests in which one time is nearing the end zone.

Send all of your news, job postings, stories and profile ideas to FantasySportsBusiness@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter (FSBcom).

A roundup of recent posts on the FSB News page.

– In the wake of its deal to put on fantasy games for FOXSports.com, OPEN Sports announced a $4 million round of funding. Investors were not disclosed.

– Restaurant-entertainment chain Dave & Buster’s has put together a promotional package aimed at drawing fantasy football players to D&B for their drafts. The offer page says that the package includes “Free Draft Kit and Fantasy Magazine,” though it doesn’t specify the source. CBSSports.com is mentioned in the promo, but it no longer puts out a print preview magazine.

Send all of your news, job postings, stories and profile ideas to FantasySportsBusiness@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter (FSBcom).