I just built my first directory about 2 weeks ago. I have 108 total links, but I only have 1 recip link, and no featured links. Just wondering how long it took you to start getting some paid featured links. Once you get some PR?
It is a lot harder to get featured listings for niche directories than general. You have an enormous amount fewer webmasters with sports related sites...
I launched my directory about 2am and when I woke up about 9am I recived TWO features links! However there are times when I went weeks without a featured link, it just depends on how you promote your directory.
And it also depends on how your site/directory looks. a good looking directory can get featured links much easier than those with bad designs and those stuffed with ads. a good design helps in building confidence among your probable featured link buyers. webmasters and visitors can spot a crappy, hastily thrown directories miles away and they tend to use only the free submissions. directories with good design tells them that the directory owner has taken some time and interest in how his/her site looks and is not interested in getting some submission and eventually selling it off...
My directory was opened after the PR update, so it still has no PR, but I do get featured submissions every once in a while. I have to agree with praveen that it can depend on the site's design as well -- since through this, potential link buyers will see the effort that the webmaster has placed into working on the directory.
It depends on the directory. You should make a directly like a professional not like another web directory. it should be enough good to make the buyer belive this directory will exist and will get good Page Rank. It may take from 1 day to 1 month for a featured listing.
I also agree that it depends on how your site looks, if your directory looks attractive, it will attract revenue.
Directory which runs adsense are low worth and take time. Where a neat and professional LOOK which wow your visitors and capture their attention at first sight. So don't just copy another directory, generate your own idea to stand ahead from your competitors.