Fantasy Football CommishRx: Choose League Stability

Fantasy Football CommishRx: Don’t Let Personal Relationships Cloud Your Judgement

It is the fantasy football commissioner’s responsibility to run the league and oversee league business to make sure things run smoothly. If at all possible, commissioners should never let personal relationships deter them from doing what is right for the league. Fantasy commissioners who let friends and family members slack on league obligations set a low bar that can taint a fantasy league right from the start.

Rule #2: Business before Family and Friends

This is the second of five rules that I believe when followed, can serve as a good foundation for any fantasy league. [See: Rule #1 – Put it in Writing]

This simply means league business has priority over personal relationships. Take care of all league business first before you serve the multiple roles of brother, sister, cousin or best friend. You’ll have plenty of time to have fun with your family and friends later. There are no favors and no passes offered at the expense of a rule or deadline.

This is of the utmost importance if you’re playing for money. Often, the opportunity to win money changes the behavior of folks pretty quickly and most times not for the better.

‘Meet The Deadlines’

If they are lucky, commissioners are busiest during the preseason. Tasks include the simple act of renewing the league on a web site, or perhaps they might have to fill a vacancy for a member that isn’t returning. These acts are usually a solo effort.

However, there are other moves that a commissioner can’t complete until league members hold up their end of league business.

For example, most fantasy platforms won’t activate a draft unless there are an even number of players present. In most keeper leagues, a commissioner can’t set up the draft order until members declare who they are keeping.

Imagine your cousin tells you he can’t make the pool money deadline but still wants the password to claim his team. Do you give it to him? I say you should not.

More from FanSided

Some would say this is a bit harsh. I would counter and ask, “Who do you see on Judge Judy?”

Folks who: (1) owe other family members money, (2) felt they could ask for the money because they were family, (3) expected to get the money because they were family, and (4) then decided they could take their time paying the money back or not paying at all because – they were family.

You don’t want to end up on Judge Judy.

I have fielded questions on this topic before. It’s Week 8, and a commissioner is still dealing with a friend (or family member) who hasn’t paid their league dues.

Worse, the owner (aka the alleged friend) will claim that they are being harassed by the commissioner asking them for the money that they owe.

The commissioner often feels like they’ve been taken advantage of. They commonly fear the potential of an escalating conflict which could infect the rest of the league – which can happen.

Choose to Control the Environment

If you’re late with your credit card payment, you get hit with a finance charge. The library fines you if you don’t return books on time.

Moreover, human nature dictates that once you make an exception for one person, you open the door for others to follow right behind that big, fat exception. The others are watching. You’ll be sorry dear commissioner, if you lower the bar of expectations.

You may ask, “So Commish, have you ever replaced someone who didn’t get their pool money in on time?”

Yes, I have. I replaced my own cousin one season. They have since returned to the league – but they’ve never been late with their money ever again.

Ultimately, it’s a personal choice you’ll have to make. You set the tone. You have to decide the precedent you want to set for the league, and be willing to enforce the rules that you have set. Good luck.

Stay tuned to Fantasy CPR each and everyday for all the latest DFS news and analysis and all your fantasy football draft preperation leading up to the start of the NFL season!

Home/Fantasy