INTRODUCTION
Building a successful dynasty league can be challenging for many people. Unlike redraft leagues, dynasty leagues have a year-round aspect to them that requires extra planning and preparation. The goal of this series is to take you along with me as I write and edit my own personal league’s by-laws.
This exercise is a great way, as a commissioner, to evaluate your league and take strides to make it better! Part one will focus on Commissioners Clause, Amendments, Manager-Ship, and League Conduct.
COMMISSIONER’S CLAUSE
I have referenced this clause in a previous article at DFF. I believe that this clause is the glue that will hold your by-laws together. The wording of this is extremely important. Here is an example:
“If a situation comes up that is not covered by the Articles in this document, the commissioner reserves the right to make the decision that is in the best interest of the league.”
No matter how “air-tight” you think your by-laws are, there will always be a situation that comes up that is not covered in your by-laws. Commissioners need to have the ability to make decisions for the league to settle disputes. The Commissioners Clause is the catch-all statement that will make your commissioning life easier.
AMENDMENTS
This section of my by-laws contains language that explains how changes to the by-laws will be made.
Section 1: Any changes to this document must come to a league vote. A majority vote in favor of a proposed rule change will make it go into effect.
Section 2: Rule changes require an 8/12 vote in favor to pass.
Section 3: If a rule change is needed mid-season, the league will vote on that rule. Any mid-season rule change requires a 100% league vote in favor to pass. If approved by the league, this rule will only last for this season and will need to be revisited in the off-season.
Section 4: June 1st-June 30th is the Rule Proposal Window. During this time, any league owner can propose a rule change to the commissioner. For this rule to be voted on by the league, you must have at least 3 league owners that agree on that rule change. July 1st-July 31st is the voting window. Each owner is required to vote one way or the other.
Section 5: Only owners who have been in the league for at least one season can propose a rule change during the Rule Proposal Window. However, new owners can vote on new rule changes in year 1.
Some important things to take away from this is the established amount of votes it takes for a rule change to pass, 8/12. Section 3 specifically states the protocol of changing rules mid-season. Sections 4 and 5 pertain to the window of the year in which team managers can propose rule changes.
MANAGER-SHIP
The Manager-Ship section of the by-laws specifically establishes how someone can be an active manager in the league.
Section 1: The league will consist of 12 team managers. To be a team manager, one must agree to be in the league after first reading the league constitution and have approval from the commissioner.
Section 2: Team managership has a fee of $50 due at or before the annual league draft. Managers wishing to trade future draft picks must pay their dues for the following year as well.
Section 3: Managership fee must be paid by the date of the league draft. If the fee is not paid in full by the league draft, then the team will be locked until the fee is paid. Transactions, trades, lineup adjustments will all be suspended until payment is received. [or payment plan in place and approved by commissioner]
It is a rather short section of the by-laws; however, the importance is paramount. Section 1 establishes the number of teams in the league and how to join the league. Section 2 and 3 are all about the league dues and what happens when dues are not paid. The most annoying thing about being a fantasy football commissioner is getting all managers to pay their dues. Section 3 may be a harsh punishment for failing to pay league dues, but I can tell you it eliminated that problem in all my leagues.
LEAGUE CONDUCT
Clearly defining collusion is crucial to the longevity of the league. This section of the by-laws deals with the behavior of each league manager. Remember, we want all our leagues to be great and super active. We all want fair, honest, and trustworthy league mates that always uphold the integrity of the league.
Section 1: All team managers are required to set their lineup each week. All available starting roster spots must be filled.
Section 2: Collusion is defined as “secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy, especially to cheat or deceive others”. Any act of collusion will be reviewed by the Commissioner. Punishments include, but are not limited to, suspension with forfeiture of any winnings or removal from the league with the forfeit of any winnings.
Section 3: Roster dumping is defined as “a team manager that drops all of their players after elimination from playoffs”. Roster dumping will be handled in the same way as collusion.
Section 4: Failure to comply with the rules stated in this document may result in suspension or removal from the league with the forfeit of any winnings.
Section 1 can be changed based on how you feel about tanking. My stance is I allow tanking in my dynasty leagues. If the intention of tanking is to win in the long term and a real attempt is made to improve the roster each year after. Disagree? Then add in a rule to your “Draft” section which kills two birds with one stone:
“The draft order is determined by the final standings after the playoff/consolation brackets are completed. The playoff teams 1-6 will have picks 7-12, with the consolation teams 7-12 will have picks 1-6”
This rule promotes winning at the end of the season to improve draft position. Thus, erasing the negative connotations of “tanking”. A healthy compromise for everyone!
Finally, roster dumping is something that mostly happens in redraft leagues but can also show its ugly face in dynasty leagues.
LAYING THE FOUNDATION
The sections we talked about in part one may not be as exciting as the draft, free agency, and scoring settings. What they lack in fun and “sexy-ness”, they make up for it with importance. These sections are the foundation of your league’s by-laws and cannot be overlooked. A poorly written “League Conduct” section can lead to the demise of your dynasty leagues.
In part two, I’ll dive into the start-up draft, rookie draft, roster settings, and scoring settings.
Thank you for reading! You can find the rest of my work at DFF and follow me on Twitter @FF_Derrick. Reach out to me anytime with anything fantasy football related! Seize the moment! Say less, do MORE!
