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CommishRx: Help for the New Fantasy Commissioner – Put it in Writing

By Reginald James

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 03: Defensive end Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts after a tackle on quarterback Blaine Gabbert #7 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 32-16. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 03: Defensive end Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts after a tackle on quarterback Blaine Gabbert #7 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 32-16. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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It’s finally happened. You’ve decided to run your own fantasy football league. Or, maybe your office is starting a league and you are going to be its very first commissioner. Well, you’ve come to the right place.

Welcome to CommishRx

I’m here to help new fantasy football commissioners and perhaps some grizzled vets find solutions to their league issues. I’m also here for league members who need help taking on unsavory commissioners. Be sure to send me your questions. Let’s learn from each other and have a little fun in the process.

In this post, I will discuss the first of five rules that I believe can help new commissioners get their inaugural season off to a good start. Veteran commissioners might want to take note as well.

Rule #1 – Put It In Writing

We’re going to focus on leagues that use internet sites like Yahoo!, NFL.com or ESPN. These sites will have a basic set of rules on how to play on their platform including the rules for scoring, roster limits, and waiver rules. You have the ability to customize those options to a certain degree, but they are not fully customizable.

First, look for any established rules that you want to modify. Next,  decide if there are any additional rules you want to add. Then try to imagine any issues or scenarios that may come up that the existing rules don’t cover.

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For instance, are you going to have rules concerning the payment of dues? What happens if someone is late choosing their keeper?

Yahoo!, for example, will allow an owner to put forward a roster with an open slot. You may decide that’s something you don’t want to allow.

[Note: I’m not making a statement one way or the other as to whether this is something that should be done. Some leagues allow it, while others do not.]

In a fully customizable league you’re more than likely able to set it up where a roster can’t be confirmed unless every slot has an active player. Meanwhile on Yahoo’s platform, you’re going to have to address this issue differently.

You may decide that you’ll give a warning the first time, or you may come up with something a little more punitive.  Whatever protocol you choose – put it in writing.

Write it all down. Everything. Most importantly, be as specific as you can. You might consider giving examples to help illustrate a particular rule. Next, play devil’s advocate to find loop holes in what you’ve come up with.

Make sure you post everything on the league message board for all to see. Send an email to the league as well. At the head of every email I send to the league I write:

“The following has been sent to all league members:”

Generally, I don’t like getting CC’ed emails myself, but as commissioner, I do this to protect myself. No one can claim they don’t get your emails. All can see that the whole league got the message. TEASER ALERT: Rule #3 addresses this idea more in-depth.

Finally, you may find that some of your league mates won’t read what you present. That’s okay. It’s their fault if they don’t read the rules. You’ve done your job.

Next: Backfield Situations to avoid in your fantasy football leagues

Stay here at Fantasy CPR for more tips on how to run a great fantasy league!

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