League Business

[Jay]

At the risk of being painfully obvious, here is the current state of the league.

1 League Commissioner Vacancy
3 League Owner Vacancies

Based on traditional schedules, that leaves us 5 months before the annual rookie draft to nominate a new commissioner and find three new owners, assuming all of the current owners are committed to another season.

Personally, I'm disgusted at the current state of this league. Many of you do not know this, but this league was originally an "Expert's League".
It was the first on-site league that was created at FFToday.com After its creation, whenever a vacancy occurred, members of that site or others APPLIED to be a part of the league, and the best of the best of applicants were VOTED to become owners in this prestigious league. This was a highly competitive and highly respected league. Active participation was EXPECTED. 8 years ago, I committed to this league for the long haul.

Needless to say, this league is merely a shadow of the institution that was created. I'm currently on the fence between tendering my own resignation or attempting to help restore the expectations of participation in this league.

If one additional owner would bail, I think I would also remove my name from the ownership list and help to put an end to what was once a very promising league. However, if all are committed to not only participating in this league, but also restoring it, I'm all for it.

Current Owners -- What are your thoughts?

[Steebo]

At the risk of being painfully obvious, here is the current state of the league.

1 League Commissioner Vacancy
3 League Owner Vacancies

Based on traditional schedules, that leaves us 5 months before the annual rookie draft to nominate a new commissioner and find three new owners, assuming all of the current owners are committed to another season.

Personally, I'm disgusted at the current state of this league. Many of you do not know this, but this league was originally an "Expert's League".
It was the first on-site league that was created at FFToday.com After its creation, whenever a vacancy occurred, members of that site or others APPLIED to be a part of the league, and the best of the best of applicants were VOTED to become owners in this prestigious league. This was a highly competitive and highly respected league. Active participation was EXPECTED. 8 years ago, I committed to this league for the long haul.

Needless to say, this league is merely a shadow of the institution that was created. I'm currently on the fence between tendering my own resignation or attempting to help restore the expectations of participation in this league.

If one additional owner would bail, I think I would also remove my name from the ownership list and help to put an end to what was once a very promising league. However, if all are committed to not only participating in this league, but also restoring it, I'm all for it.

Current Owners -- What are your thoughts?

As the former commish, let me put my 2 cents in.


First off, this is not the first time that this has been brought up. Once, about 4 or 5 years ago when we were still at Trojan Horse Today, someone created a topic titled "If I may be so bold....." It was a topic describing how the league was growing stale and unintresting. It also provided some suggestions on how to spice it up and asked for other suggestions. Some of these topics were discussed at length but nothing was ever changed.

Sound familiar?

My point is that this league hasn't just all of a sudden hit the shitter, but has been steadily sinking into despair since its inception. The LOD started with the idea of it being all those things you listed. Unfortunately, part of the reason people wanted to be in it so badly was because it was the first (and only for a time) league at FFT. Pretty soon other leagues started popping up and the LOD was just another league even though it retained (for the most part) its founding members.

Despite its noble intentions, this league has been surrounded by turmoil since the beginning. Rattlesnake was booted from the league after just one year. Granted he wasnt a very likeable guy, but I always thought half the reason he got kicked out was because people were mad about him winning the championship.

Then there was the little spat between Tarhole Boy and Kadaver. For some reason we decided to kick Kadaver (who was a good owner) out of the league in favor of Tarhole, who barely paid attention to his team and left the league himself a couple years later.

When Kadaver left, he pretty much just handed his team off to Dagger. Sure, there was league approval and Dagger started out as a great owner, but its not like we had a bunch of people to choose from to take Kadaver's place. Since then, Dagger took over the trainwreck that was tarhole's team and has participated less and less as the years pass. Hell, the only person I remember us turning down was Blitzen.

Then we had the tanking incident with then-commish Justice, which is the biggest scar on the face of the league. I dont think I need to go into that in great detail, but for the league founder and commish to care so little about the league to do something as drastic as tank a game, that should tell you the condition this league has been in.

A few other people have left for one reason or another; V4E (school), Dan Sez (butted heads with Justice), Dirty Dug (got bored with it), Hog Chow (left with Justice), whoisjgalt (died), Pong (who the fuck knows). Its not like the turnover problem has just started, but it has gotten worse.



I dont want to seem like I am disagreeing with Jay about the sorry state of the league, because it is terrible. I am just debating how long it has sucked.

I do want to say that even though I stepped down as commish I do care about the league and I do want it to survive. I simply dont have the patience to deal with the attitudes the members have concerning this league. Its almost like the LOD is an afterthought in the back of some peoples minds. Maybe they are setting the lineups for their other leagues and then they suddenly remember they are in the LOD, I dont know but thats how it seemed to me at times.

Needles to say I had a pretty shitty attitude about the league as well, then my computer died for a month or so and when I finally got it working again it seemed like I didnt miss much of anything. Weather its the draft, cutdown date, or just general banter, league participation has been crappy for a long time.

I'll finish by saying that I am committed to this league, and I will do what I can to help the next commish out.

[Jay]

That's pretty much my point too. Either everyone commits to buck up and actually do this thing, or let's just fold the tents and commit to other leagues.

It's not like I don't get asked to be in 10 leagues a year. I've just enjoyed the challenge of turning around the train-wreck of a team that I drafted 8 years ago.

I just want to make it clear that I'm not going to spend MY time on a league where half the owners don't attempt pickups.....don't submit lineups.....don't care to attempt to prepare for the draft.....don't attempt to improve their team. I don't want to speak for the other owners in the league, but I'm hoping that there is a fair amount of us that feel the same way. However, the laid back approach is contagious, and it's time for people to all decide to commit......or to let this thing die.

That's all.

[Merkin]

The rules can be fixed but I'm not sure about the attitude. I think there are two main causes for the lack of interest/involvement. 1) Some, or most of us have been at this (FF) for a long time now and are growing bored with it. Be it too many leagues or just how it affects the enjoyment of actual football, it just doesn't have the same shine it once did. 2) Fourteen teams each with 30 players really retards the need or willingness to trade. 5th string players become 5 year projects that sometimes payout so many teams are reluctant to cut bait.

I still have the desire to maintain my team, just not with the current undertone. I'm in the Dungeon (also hosted here at FAI) and it is a great format that does a great job of keeping owners interested and active. While trading is light, the salary cap system forces owners to actually put thought into how they are going to mold their team instead of a strict accumulation methodology. I think at a minimum, either the # of teams or roster sizes will need to be decreased.

I'd be interested in taking over as a co-commish, but the circumstances would have to be right. At a minimum, they would have the power (for a limited time) to tweak/fix the rules that have been talked about but never acted on. If after that period owners want to change them, they have the option of putting forth a league vote. There are a lot of no-brainer rules and by-laws that need to be put in place. I'd prefer that no owners leave, but if they insist, then I'd strongly recommend contraction of those teams and throwing their players into the draft pool as well as making all teams cut down to 20 and draft 5 players. The following year, teams would again cut to 20 and have 3 rounds of drafting. IR only for those players that actually go on IR.

We'd need discussions on what to do with the FA's that were awarded this season.

Then again, if people want to bail or prefer to keep the same "Lets fix this next season" attitude, then I say lets abort this league.

[Steebo]

I think at a minimum, either the # of teams or roster sizes will need to be decreased.

I'd be interested in taking over as a co-commish, but the circumstances would have to be right. At a minimum, they would have the power (for a limited time) to tweak/fix the rules that have been talked about but never acted on. If after that period owners want to change them, they have the option of putting forth a league vote. There are a lot of no-brainer rules and by-laws that need to be put in place. I'd prefer that no owners leave, but if they insist, then I'd strongly recommend contraction of those teams and throwing their players into the draft pool as well as making all teams cut down to 20 and draft 5 players. The following year, teams would again cut to 20 and have 3 rounds of drafting. IR only for those players that actually go on IR.

We'd need discussions on what to do with the FA's that were awarded this season.

Then again, if people want to bail or prefer to keep the same "Lets fix this next season" attitude, then I say lets abort this league.

Agreed on all accounts.

About the "tweak/fix" thing. Just make it known before the season starts that this will be going on so the owners dont get upset that things are changing without their consent.

More than ever, owner participation will be a must. People will have to start checking in at this message board as emails probably wont be sent out for every tiny detail the second a change happens. If something is brought up to a vote then people need to show up. Even if they dont care one way or the other at least acknowledge that you understand it is happening.

Since Gutter and Jay Metz left before this discussion started, maybe they should be given the chance to reconsider. When there is a concrete number of people who are staying or leaving we will be able to downsize the league as Merkin stated.

[kraziness]

I've never done a dynasty league before, so I'm excited about the possibilities- I'm happy to stick around as long as there's a league for me to stick around IN.

I have no problem with a commish making changes- but it should obviously all happen before the season starts, preferably before our draft. Perhaps the commish can propose rule changes, give the league a chance to vote or voice concerns- with deadlines. If people don'e vote, or if consensus isn't found- I have no problem with a commish making the decisions on his own and notifying everyone.

With the full complement of an offseason and some experience in the league, I can be more active / familiar with rules and stuff and voice opinions. But again, as I've never done dynasty before, I have no problem letting all you guys tell me what's best- I'll adapt.

Lastly, as Merkin said, perhaps it isn't needed to recruit 3 new owners, we can cut a team or two.

[Jay]

I guess I just don't feel the need to restart the league because some people have gotten bored or are no longer motivated to compete under the current settings. I do think that the rules need fixing/clarifying, and it has mind-numbingly difficult to get things fixed, which has been extremely frustrating.

I'd be open to roster requirement changes such as those suggested below. 20/5=25 roster spots seems reasonable.

I am not the least bit interested in contracting this league. It has the look and feel of starting over completely.

Merkin, I'd also like you to clarify this statement.

We'd need discussions on what to do with the FA's that were awarded this season.

[Steebo]

Since the season is over and people might not be paying as much attention to the board, i'm gonna send out one more email to league members directing their attention to this thread.

[kraziness]

So, the commish thing is probably the first thing that needs to be decided.

Merkin, you mentioned that you were willing to co-commish, and at this point you're the only one who has expressed willingness; I don't have a problem with you taking over. What areas would you need help in?

Let's get things moving.

[Steebo]

So, the commish thing is probably the first thing that needs to be decided.

Merkin, you mentioned that you were willing to co-commish, and at this point you're the only one who has expressed willingness; I don't have a problem with you taking over. What areas would you need help in?

Let's get things moving.

I dont have a problem with him taking over either (if this is a vote), but perhaps we should give him the opportunity to confirm his willingness to take over.

Also, if a vote/nomination thread is necessary we should do that too.

[Megla]

1. The FA system needs to be addressed. Plain and simple. I have not made a FA move in almost two years becuase the system is horrible and not well defined. We need to come to a decision on the process and then put it into writting, to include step by step instructions on how to perform a transaction.

2. The rosters need to be reduced, this would increase interest in the draft as more viable FA would be there, maybe down to 16-20 keepers.

3. Owners need to be a little more respectful of one another, I want to have a desire to converse with other owners, not despise having to deal with them. As it stands now that has been completely lost on this league.

[Steebo]

Concerning the FA system: I liked it when it simply went by record. Only when we tried to get all fancy with it did people start having problems with it. Some people never seemed to grasp how it was done, yet others simply stepped in and picked it up easily. Part of that may be due to the brief change between MFL and Fanstar, but I dont know.


That being said, i'll most likely be pretty much indifferent on how the FA's are done in the future. Whatever suits you guys will probably be fine with me. Lets just have a freaking plan before we decide to shitcan our current system.

[SigEp316]

I enjoy the league and agree that the free agency needs to be fixed.

I'm really down with whatever you guys would like to do, I personally don't like the site and think it's a pain in the ass to use. I would rather use just a free site like Yahoo, it's a little easier to communicate. I want to stay in the league, because this will be my 3rd year and hopefully some of my picks will be coming around.

I nominate Merkin for commish.

[kraziness]

I enjoy the league and agree that the free agency needs to be fixed.

I'm really down with whatever you guys would like to do, I personally don't like the site and think it's a pain in the ass to use. I would rather use just a free site like Yahoo, it's a little easier to communicate. I want to stay in the league, because this will be my 3rd year and hopefully some of my picks will be coming around.

I nominate Merkin for commish.

Agreed on all points, and with Megla- in particular on #2 and #3.

Not sure of what options there are on sites... does Yahoo have something capable of hosting a dynasty league? I know their pay leagues can and will keep info year around, but I'm not sure if it could handle things the way we're set up. I've never used them for anything other than redraft.

Why don't we host it here?

[Steebo]

Why don't we host it here?

We do our local redraft league here and it works pretty good. I'm not sure how it could handle a dynasty league, but i'm sure Rurb could illuminate us if we were intrested.

[Steebo]

Also, 6 people viewing. :clap:

[SigEp316]

we could run the site here during the offseason, draft, trades, etc...then the commish would have to input updated rosters once the free yahoo site came up.

I'm in another dynasty league that runs this way, it goes pretty smooth.

[Steebo]

we could run the site here during the offseason, draft, trades, etc...then the commish would have to input updated rosters once the free yahoo site came up.

I'm in another dynasty league that runs this way, it goes pretty smooth.

Thats the way we already do it.

The draft, trades, rule votes, ect are done here at FAI. After that, the commish simply updates things at the site. The main things we dont do here are lineup submissions, FA's, and scoring.

[Steebo]

Something else I just noticed, our "08 trades moved" thread seems to be missing some posts.

The trade between Merkin and I is listed in a quote, but other than that everything is gone. :dunno:

[SigEp316]

Thats the way we already do it.

The draft, trades, rule votes, ect are done here at FAI. After that, the commish simply updates things at the site. The main things we dont do here are lineup submissions, FA's, and scoring.


let's just use Yahoo this year...the way it's set-up is a lot easier than what we're using now. It's free, and allows you to post on the front page so we can keep up communication.

[Megla]

We have changed league host sites before, it did not work out, I don't think we should again as we came back to myfatasyleague and it is very easy to use, besides we should address some much larger issues.

[Steebo]

we came back to myfatasyleague and it is very easy to use

Except for the FA pickups, apparently.


Also, agreed with other issues being more important. A new commish is top priority. If we want to stay with MFL we will need to have someone prepared to handle the site modifications and stuff.

[SigEp316]

We have changed league host sites before, it did not work out, I don't think we should again as we came back to myfatasyleague and it is very easy to use, besides we should address some much larger issues.


I really hate that site....it's a pain in the ass to navigate, yahoo is so easy even though it may be stripped of some of the options that MFL has.

What sites were used in the past? I think communication is the biggest problem in the league, if communication is low, typically owner involvement dwindles...and it's a slipper slope from there.

I really think moving to a simple site like Yahoo would make a huge difference. It's easy to figure out where to contact other owners and the message board is right on the first page.....it's also not so damn dark and "busy" like the MFL site.

[Steebo]

I really think moving to a simple site like Yahoo would make a huge difference. It's easy to figure out where to contact other owners and the message board is right on the first page.....it's also not so damn dark and "busy" like the MFL site.

The "dark and busy" aspect can is not permanent. The background and stuff can be changed at the whims of the commish. I never messed with it because it didnt bother me (and because galt mostly handled the site) but if we want we can change it.

[SigEp316]

The "dark and busy" aspect can is not permanent. The background and stuff can be changed at the whims of the commish. I never messed with it because it didnt bother me (and because galt mostly handled the site) but if we want we can change it.

It's whatever you guys wanna do...I just think Yahoo is easier and it's free.

I also think communication is easier going that route, which is the problem with the league...just my opinions. I'm sure we'll lose some owners this year either way.

[Steebo]

It's whatever you guys wanna do...I just think Yahoo is easier and it's free.



I'm not arguing against yahoo or any other site. I'm just letting you know that alot of the things that you dont like about our current site can probably be changed.

[Jay]

The free version of Yahoo does not provide some of the amenities that our current site allows, such as live scoring. In addition, it is necessary to have yahoo IDs in order to use Yahoo. Also, in some of my other leagues, we have had to make special rules because of Yahoo's stupid multiple-position categorizations of players. We should be prepared for similar situations.

I'm not against it. I already have a Yahoo ID, and all of my other leagues are currently on Yahoo. Like Steebo, I just want to point out that Yahoo also has its drawbacks.

I think going to Yahoo would take some pressure off the new commish, whoever that might be, which can only be a good thing.

[SigEp316]

I'm not arguing against yahoo or any other site. I'm just letting you know that alot of the things that you dont like about our current site can probably be changed.

whatever Steebo....go fuck yourself :D

[Steebo]

whatever Steebo....go fuck yourself :D

Its people like you that cause bad relations in this league. :nono:

















:D

[S.D. Jones]

I'm back in if we can kick out the pieces of shit that don't participate. That is about half of the league.

[Merkin]

I'm back in if we can kick out the pieces of shit that don't participate. That is about half of the league.

At this point, only 7 owners have spoken up. I'm not holding out much hope at this point. I think it may be best to just take this thing out back and shoot it.

[EMoney]

I'll be back in this league. I mean why the fuck not., it's not so bad.

[kraziness]

At this point, only 7 owners have spoken up. I'm not holding out much hope at this point. I think it may be best to just take this thing out back and shoot it.

I think at least 1 or two others would be good owners if they are told what to do. People just want to be told what to do. Get a commish, commish makes some decisions and bam! Things are back on track. And if we're down to 8 teams for a year, it'll be fine.

[Steebo]

Since a commish is #1 priority right now, shall we start a thread for nominations and vote?

[SigEp316]

And if we're down to 8 teams for a year, it'll be fine.

I hate to agree with a kraziness post and am not techinically agreeing with all of it....but this works for me as well, if we lose a few teams we can back it down to a 10 team league, etc...

[Steebo]

I hate to agree with a kraziness post and am not techinically agreeing with all of it....but this works for me as well, if we lose a few teams we can back it down to a 10 team league, etc...

I would rather keep it the size it is now, but if the only way to continue is to contract then i'm down with that too.

[Steebo]

People just want to be told what to do. Get a commish, commish makes some decisions and bam! Things are back on track.

From experience, I can tell you that this is not true.

[kraziness]

From experience, I can tell you that this is not true.

haha, ok, good point.

Well, I'm happy to go with the flow. JUST SOMEBODY STEP INTO THIS POWER VACUUM!!@# :screams:

[Steebo]

II really think moving to a simple site like Yahoo would make a huge difference. It's easy to figure out where to contact other owners and the message board is right on the first page.....it's also not so damn dark and "busy" like the MFL site.

If we dont get a commish pretty soon and pay for the MFL site, this will be our only option if the league is to continue.