CommishRx Fantasy Advice: “Is it Too Late to Change Payout?”

Fantasy Advice  – The Commish is here to help. Send your question to: reginaldjfantasy@outlook.com

"Commish,In our league the top three finishers win money. Someone brought up the idea that the person with the most points should get a bonus. I’ve heard of this before and some others think it’s a good idea. Should I change the payout that we have? The disagreement is some guys don’t want it changed now, but some think we should pitch in more money for the bonus. A couple of guys don’t want to add more money at all. I just want to the guys to be happy."

The short answer is that you should wait until next year.

I’m actually thinking about doing that for my league. Sometimes the person with the most points doesn’t win the league. I’ve been in that position, where I had the most in total points scored at the end of the season, but didn’t place. It stinks because you know you “did better” than all the rest. It’s the matchups that bit you in the rear, right?

The problem with your situation, as I see it, comes down to two things: (1) you don’t want to alter expectations that have already been met, and (2), you have to acknowledge that everyone’s financial situation might not be the same.

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What Do You Expect?

You guys have already paid the dues that you were expected to pay. I wouldn’t like it if all of a sudden someone asked me to come up with more money than I anticipated to spend. These days we call that “moving the goal posts.”

Also, if you change the payout to reallocate money for the bonus, that means someone who places is going to get less than they expected. I could be wrong, but I can’t imagine that everyone is cool with that.

I’ve talked about commissioners before who change things on the spur of the moment. As commissioners, we want to avoid doing that.

Your situation is a little different in the sense that you’re not a rogue commissioner trying to strong-arm a change. Yes, some of the guys are discussing it with you. However, you want the whole league to participate. This topic should’ve been discussed months ago.

Furthermore, you don’t want your league to get accustomed to the idea that something as important as dues and the payout can be changed so quickly, so close to the beginning of the season, and without full regard of everyone in the league.

Money Go Round

Let’s talk about personal finances – everyone handles money differently.

The guys who don’t want to contribute any more money, might feel that way for financial reasons. Be wary when asking folks for more of their hard-earned cash. They may have other plans for it.

I’ve known the folks in my league for a long time, but I can’t claim to know exactly what their financial situation is. I won’t make the assumption that they can come up with money as easily as some others can.

One has a kid who just started college, for example. Was it a coincidence that they waited until the absolute deadline to pay me their pool money? Perhaps, but then again maybe not.

That’s why my first league letter of the season goes out in April. Members have four months to come up with the money (as well as plan to be available for our draft).

I don’t know the makeup of your league. For argument’s sake, let’s say you have some single guys and gals. Let’s sprinkle in a couple of married types. Some folks may have kids. I guarantee they have to think about how they spend their money a little more judiciously than the single folks.

Also, do you happen to know how many of your members play in multiple fantasy leagues where they also have to pay dues? That money adds up.

If you wait until next year, you and your mates will have all the time in the world to talk about dues and a new bonus. There won’t be any surprises. You will give folks time to plan, especially the ones who maintain a budget either for themselves or for a whole family.

Take your time and give yourself that luxury.

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