NOTRE DAVE
FOOTBALL LEAGUE
LEAGUE BYLAWS
2012-2013 SEASON
Notre Dave Football League
League Bylaws
2012-2013 Season
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION ONE – LEAGUE SETUP
SECTION TWO – GOVERNANCE
SECTION THREE – OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
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SECTION ONE – LEAGUE SETUP
Article I: General League Setup
I.I: General Information
I.II: Abilities Setup
I.III: Standings Setup
I.IV: General Season and Scoring Setup
I.V: Starting Lineup Setup
I.VI: Roster Position Limits Setup
I.VII: Divisions/Conference Setup
I.VIII: Conference/Divisional Alignment Establishment
I.IX: Draft Order
I.X: Weekly Lineup Setup
I.XI: Trades Setup
I.XII: Playoffs
I.XIII: Other League Settings
Article II: Additional League Setup
II.I: Conferences
II.II: Divisions
II.III: Schedule
II.IV: Draft Rules
II.V: Starting Roster Rules
II.VI: The Waiver Wire
II.VII: Trades
II.VIII: Scoring
II.IX: Additional Scoring Information
II.X: Website Navigation
Article III: Playoffs
III.I: The Championship Bracket
III.II: The Consolation Bracket
III.III: Participation
Article IV: Payout Breakdown
Article V: Entry Fees
SECTION TWO – GOVERNANCE
Article I: The Inappropriate Roster Rule
I.I: The Inappropriate Roster Rule
I.II: The Voting Committee
I.III: The Voting Committee Selection
I.IV: Voting Tiebreakers
I.V: The Punishment
I.VI: Enforcement of the Punishment
I.VII: Allowance
I.VIII: Restatement of the Allowance
I.IX: Lazy Voter Rule
Article II: The Bad Trade and/or Collusion Rule
II.I: The Bad Trade or Collusion Rule
II.II: The Voting Committee
II.III: The Voting Committee Selection
II.IV: Voting Tiebreakers
II.V: The Punishment
II.VI: Enforcement of the Punishment
II.VII: Team Manager’s Interpretation of the Bad Trade/Collusion Rule
II.VIII: Lazy Voter Rule
Article III: The Lazy Voter Rule
III.I: In Consideration of the Inappropriate Roster Rule Page 25
III.II: In Consideration of the Bad Trade and/or Collusion Rule
III.III: In Consideration of Team Managers Who Choose To Abstain
Article IV: Rule Changes
Article V: Voting Anonymity
V.I: Anonymity
V.II: League Manager Violations
SECTION THREE – OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Article I: Owner Tragedy
Article II: Pleading Ignorance
Article III: Issues Not Covered in the Rules
Article IV: First Rule of the NDFL
Article V: Second Rule of the NDFL
SECTION ONE
LEAGUE SETUP
ARTICLE I: GENERAL LEAGUE SETUP
I.I: General Information
League Commissioner David M. Brunsman
Co-League Commissioner Jennifer M. Beauchamp
Number of Franchises Twenty-Four (24)
Number of Conferences Two (2)
Number of Divisions Six (6)
Number of Roster Spots Twenty (21)
Number of Managers / Team Two (2) Maximum
Head-To-Head Matchups Yes
Players World The National Football League
Each NFL Player Can Be On One Roster Per Conference
Waiver Board Separate Waiver Board for each Conference
Observe Undroppable Players Yes
I.II: Abilities Setup
Franchisee Abilities Submit Lineups
Drop Players / Add Players
Participate in Waivers / Free Agency Board
Propose / Accept Trades
Post to Message Board / Write League Articles
Sing Praise to the League Manager
Post to Smack Board
Change Franchise Setup Information
Create League Polls
Vote in Violation Committees as appointed
by the League Manager/Co-League Manager
Commissioner Abilities All Franchisee Abilities
E-mail the Entire League with a Slanderous Tone
Vote in Violation Committees as appointed
by the League Manager/Co-League Manager
Co-League Manager Abilities All Franchisee Abilities
Provoke banter in response to the Weekly E-mail
Vote in Violation Committees as appointed by the
League Manager/Co-League Manager
I.III: Standings Setup
Standings Sort Criteria #1 Head-To-Head Record
Standings Sort Criteria #2 Total Points For
Standings Sort Criteria #3 Intra Divisional Record
Standings Sort Criteria #4 Total Points Against
Standings Sort Criteria #5 League Manager Coin Flip
I.IV: General Season and Scoring Setup
NDFL Regular Season Week 01 – Week 14 of the NFL Regular Season
NDFL Playoffs Season Week 15 – Week 17 of the NFL Regular Season
Decimal Places for League Scoring One (1)
Deciding Factor for Ties Criteria #1 Bench Points
Criteria #2 Coin Flip
I.V: Starting Lineup Setup
Total Number of Roster Spots Twenty (21)
Total Starters per Franchise Twelve (13)
Number of Starting Quarterbacks One (1)
Number of Starting Running Backs One (1)
Number of Starting Wide Receivers One (1)
Number of Starting Tight Ends One (1)
Number of Starting Defensive Tackles One (1)
Number of Starting Defensive Ends One (1)
Number of Starting Linebackers One (1)
Number of Starting Cornerbacks One (1)
Number of Starting Safeties One (1)
Number of Starting Punters One (1)
Number of Starting Kickers One (1)
Number of Starting Team Defenses One (1)
Number of Starting Head Coaches One (1)
Number of Players on the Bench Eight (8) – One Bench Spot is IR
I.VI: Roster Position Limits Setup
Total Number of Quarterbacks Two (2)
Total Number of Running Backs Two (2)
Total Number of Wide Receivers Two (2)
Total Number of Tight Ends Two (2)
Total Number of Defensive Tackles Two (2)
Total Number of Defensive Ends Two (2)
Total Number of Linebackers Two (2)
Total Number of Cornerbacks Two (2)
Total Number of Safeties Two (2)
Total Number of Punters Two (2)
Total Number of Kickers Two (2)
Total Number of Team Defenses Two (2)
Total Number of Head Coaches Two (2)
The IR Position in the NDFL is used to reserve a player who is listed as “Out” in the
NFL, instead of dropping the player. In this situation, the Team Manager is allowed
Three Players for one Position (instead of 2) on a limited basis. Any questions about the
IR Position should be directed toward the League Manager(s).
NOTE: If a player is listed on Injured Reserve (IR) in the NFL (separate from the NDFL
IR Position), instead of listed as, for instance, Out, that player is actually out for the year
in the NFL, so, a Team Manager should feel safe in dropping that player.
I.VII: Divisions/Conference Setup
The Coaches Conference Twelve (12) Teams
* The Rockne Division Four (4) Teams
* The Parseghian Division Four (4) Teams
* The Holtz Division Four (4) Teams
The Heisman Conference Twelve (12) Teams
* The Lujack Division Four (4) Teams
* The Lattner Division Four (4) Teams
* The Hornung Division Four (4) Teams
I.VIII: Conference/Divisional Alignment Establishment
The Conference and Divisional Alignment is established by the League Manager at the
beginning of the Season. A Weighted Average System, created by the League Manager,
is utilized. The details of the Weighted Average System are confidential.
I.IX: Draft Order
The Draft Order is randomized by the League Manager at the beginning of the Season.
Team Manager Names are drawn out of a Notre Dame hat “Live” via E-mail.
A separate Draft Order will be organized for EACH individual Conference
I.X: Weekly Lineup Setup
Lineup Submission Deadline Players are Locked at Kick-Off Of Their Game
Partial Lineups Not Allowed
I.XI: Trades Setup
Trade Review Period Two (2) Days
Votes Required to Veto Trade Five (5)
Trade Limit None
Trade Deadline Wed., Dec. 21, 2011, 12PM EST
I.XII: Playoffs
Championship Bracket Eight (8) Franchises - Each Division Winner – Six (6)
Two (2) Wild-Card Positions
- One (1) Wild-Card Per Conference
Conference Champions face each other in the Super Bowl
Consolation Bracket All Other Team Managers / Franchises (16)
Participation is MANDATORY in both the Winners Bracket and the Consolation
Bracket, just as participation is mandatory during the Regular Season of the NDFL, when
everyone is vying for a Playoff Position.
A Team Managers participation in the Consolation Bracket (specifically) will be
monitored by the League Manager(s) and factored into the Weighted Averages for
determining Conference and Divisional Alignment for the subsequent NDFL Seasons.
I.XIII: Other League Settings
Time Zone EST
ARTICLE II: ADDITIONAL LEAGUE SETUP
II.I: Conferences
The NDFL will be comprised of Two (2) Conferences: The Coaches Conference and The
Heisman Conference.
Each Conference will celebrate its own individual Draft, as well as its own individual
Waiver Wire and Trade Board. Inter-Conference Trading is not allowed.
Each Conference is comprised of Twelve (12) Teams (24 Total Teams). Three (3)
Divisions of Four (4) Franchises will be included within each Conference.
Team Managers will not necessarily be in the same Conference every year. The
Conference Alignment is determined by the League Commissioner at the beginning of
every Fantasy Football Season based on a confidential Weighted Average System.
The Conference Alignment is not eligible for debate, challenge, or discussion. If you are
not happy about your Conference Placement, you will receive a “Tough Noogies!”
remark, courtesy of the League Manager.
Based on the Statistical History of the League, everything generally balances out by the
end of the Season, and the Weighted Average System has been proven effective.
II.II: Divisions
The NDFL will be comprised of Six (6) Divisions:
The Coaches Conference: The Rockne Division, The Parseghian Division, and
The Holtz Division.
The Heisman Conference: The Lujack Division, The Lattner Division, and
The Hornung Division.
Each Division is comprised of Four (4) Teams/Franchises (24 Total Teams) and Three
(3) Divisions will comprise each Conference.
Team Managers will not necessarily be in the same Division every year. The Divisional
Alignment is determined by the League Commissioner at the beginning of every Fantasy
Football Season based on a confidential Weighted Average System.
The Divisional Alignment is not eligible for debate, challenge, or discussion. If you are
not happy about your Divisional Placement, you will receive a “Tough Noogies!” remark,
courtesy of the League Manager.
Based on the Statistical History of the League, everything generally balances out by the
end of the Season, and the Weighted Average System has been proven effective.
II.III: Schedule
The NDFL Regular Season Schedule will coincide with the NFL’s Regular Season
Schedule and will be played during Weeks 1-14 of the NFL Season.
The NDFL Playoff’s Schedule will coincide with the NFL’s Regular Season Schedule
and will be played during Weeks 15-17 of the NFL Season.
Each Team Manager will compete in a randomized Schedule, which is created by the
System and monitored by the League Manager(s).
The Championship Bracket of the NDFL Playoff System will consist of Eight (8)
Franchises. The winners of each Division (Three Per Conference) will automatically
progress into the NDFL Playoff System, while Two (2) Wild-Card Franchises (One from
each Conference) will progress based on an established Tiebreaking System and can
come from any Division within each Conference.
The Consolation Bracket of the NDFL Playoff System will consist of Sixteen (16)
Franchises. The Team Managers who did not progress into the Championship Bracket
will automatically be entered into the Consolation Bracket, thusly banished to suffer from
extreme shame and scorn during the NDFL Postseason and the NFL offseason.
Participation in the NDFL Playoffs is MANDATORY in both the Winners Bracket and
the Consolation Bracket. A Team Managers participation in the Consolation Bracket
(specifically) will be monitored by the League Manager(s) and factored into the
Weighted Averages for determining Conference and Divisional Alignment for the
subsequent NDFL Seasons. You may think you can strategize your Playoff Participation
in an attempt to outfox the Fox, but I assure you that you most certainly cannot.
II.IV: Draft Rules
The Draft Order will be determined randomly by the League Commissioner.
Each Conference will celebrate its own individual Draft. The Draft will be operated
Live/Online and will be Serpentine.
A Time Limit of Sixty (60) Seconds will be allowed for each pick. If an owner fails to
pick a Player within the allotted time-limit, the System will pick on their behalf based on
the Team Manager’s Pre-Determined Draft Ordering/Strategy.
Keepers are not allowed in the NDFL.
Draft Pick Trading is not allowed.
Draft Date: Saturday, September 3, 2011, 9:00PM EST
NOTE: The Draft Date is negotiable. The League Manager makes every effort to
organize a Draft Date that is suitable for as many Team Managers as possible, however
your participation is entirely up to you. DECIDE WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU.
II.V: Starting Roster Rules
Starting Lineups must be submitted no later than One (1) Minute before the Official
Kick-off Time of the Player’s Game. The Roster System defaults into a Line-Up Lock
once the Players Match-up Begins.
If your Internet Connection is down for some reason, mainly because you are poor and
can’t afford Broadband, you must contact the League Commissioner so that your
appropriate Roster Changes can be documented. The League Commissioner is the only
person who is able to adjust rosters beyond the start-time of a Weekly Match-Up. In this
extreme circumstance, you must text-message the League Commissioner (818-983-9901)
to let him know of your Internet Deficiency. Once your Internet connection is back up,
you should e-mail the League Commissioner about your desired roster adjustments. Each
Team Manager will be allowed ONE (1) Internet Deficiency Adjustment per NFL
Regular Season. Further occurrences will be dealt with on an individual basis.
The League Commissioner highly recommends that Team Managers adjust their
Tentative Roster Line-ups during the week (or days) before their Match-Up begins.
Commissioner Adjustment Requests will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and are
NOT guaranteed.
II.VI: The Waiver Wire
The Waiver Wire is a process that each Team Manager can employ and utilize in order to
improve his/her team through Adding and Dropping various roster players. Each
Conference will celebrate its own individual Waiver Wire and Trades Board. Intra-
Conference Trading is not allowed.
The Waiver Wire Order is determined by the Team Manager’s Ranking within the
Conference. The 1st Placed Franchise in the Conference will have the last pick on the
Waiver Wire and the Last Placed Franchise in the Conference will have the first pick on
the Waiver Wire.
SCENARIO: If two Team Managers are vying for the same player on the Waiver Wire,
the Team Manager who is ranked LOWEST in the League will win the player.
The Waiver Wire Order re-adjusts at the end of each Waiver Period (1 Day)
Once the Waiver Wire Period expires, all Players on the Wire become Free Agents, and
can be picked-up by any Team Manager within the Conference.
If a Player is dropped from a Team Manager’s Roster (Active or Bench), that Player will
be placed on “Waiver” for 1 Day before becoming a Free Agent.
The NDFL Observes the Undroppable Players Safeguard. It is the Team Managers
responsibility to know what an Undroppable Player is and how to manage such players.
II.VII: Trades
While the NDFL celebrates a Waiver Wire (Drop/Add) System, another method of
improving your team is through trading.
There is no limit on Trades throughout the Season, however Inter-Conference Trading is
not allowed. Trading is closed during the NDFL Playoffs (Week 15-17).
A Trade is defined as any time a Team Manager trades One (1) or more Players at one
time to another Team Manager.
Trades during the NDFL Regular Season must be made between the NFL Regular
Seasons Weeks 1-14. The Trade Deadline is Wednesday, December 21, 2011,
12:00PM EST.
All Trades must be executed through the Online System to count. Any trade completed
verbally or through e-mail will not be considered as official. In order to offer or accept a
trade, a Team Manager must execute the following steps:
1. Click on the “League” Tab at the NDFL Homepage
2. Click on “Rosters”
3. Click on “Propose a Trade”
4. Select the Parameters of your Trade Offer and click “Finalize Trade Offer”
5. The Opposing Team Manager has Two (2) Days (Default – however, this waiting
period can be modified by the Team Manager proposing the Trade) to review the
Trade Offer, unless otherwise noted within the Trade Offer
6. If the Opposing Team Manager Declines the Trade, he/she can propose a
Counter-Trade, which will restart the default Two (2) Day Review Period
7. If the Opposing Team Manager Accepts the Trade, the League employs a 2-Day
Trade Review Period.
The Uninvolved Team Managers have Two (2) Days to Properly Veto a Proposed Trade.
If a Trade is not Vetoed Properly within the Two (2) Day Waiting Period, and the
Opposing Team Manager Accepts the Trade, the Players will be traded immediately after
the Two (2) day Review Period expires.
A trade can be Properly Vetoed if Five (5) Team Managers decide that a trade is unfair,
and they vote in opposition of the Trade.
A VETO REQUEST MUST BE E-MAILED TO THE LEAGUE MANAGER
The League Veto Power should not be abused for reasons such as:
1. This Trade helps a Team Manager who is in my division and this trade would
be detrimental to me and my team.
2. This Trade helps a Team Manager who I don’t particularly care for.
The Right to Veto is a privilege granted by the League Manager and
should not be abused. If a Trade is fair, and if two Team Managers have
agreed on the Terms, no fair examination should prevent the Trade.
If one Team Manager is experiencing Internet difficulties and cannot offer or accept a
trade that has been agreed upon with a trading partner, then the commissioner can
manually execute the trade for the Team Managers wishing to make the trade. In order
for this to occur, both parties must consent to the League Commissioner via Cell Phone
Text Message (818-983-9901) that they wish to complete a trade. Furthermore, a verbal
consent is also required.
If a Team Manager accidentally selects “accept” instead of “decline” or “counter-offer”
when trying to turn down a trade or make a counter-offer, the Team Manager must take
the following steps:
1. The Team Manager MUST post on the League Message Board within 15 Minutes
of the Transaction Timestamp on the website for it to be rolled back.
2. The Team Manager MUST E-mail the League Commissioner within 15 Minutes
of the Transaction Timestamp on the website, requesting that the Trade Request
be re-evaluated.
Trades offered on the website are considered valid offers until they are revoked or
rejected. Team Managers are responsible for removing offers they have made.
Due to the risk of a player being injured, The League Manager strongly recommends,
although not required, that owners conduct negotiations outside the website and that
Team Managers only utilize the website to consummate trades that are agreed to.
All Veto’s must be e-mailed to the League Manager for appropriate
Record Keeping and review. No Online Vetoing will be permitted.
If a Team Manager feels that a Veto is necessary and appropriate, he/she
must make public his/her opinion on the matter. A Team Manager is not
afforded the luxury of anonymity with regards to Veto Powers.
The League Manager will work to inform the League about all Accepted
Trade Requests, so that the League is aware of such requests. It is the
responsibility of the Involved Parties to inform the League Manager of
Accepted Trade Requests so that the League can be informed properly.
II.VIII: Scoring
The NDFL scoring system will be calculated as follows:
Webpage: http://games.espn.go.com/ffl/leaguesetup/settings?leagueId=452963
Passing: Every 25 Passing Yards (PY25) 1
50+ Yard TD Pass Bonus (PTD50) 2
2pt Passing Conversion (2PC) 2
Every 10 Pass Completions (PC10) 2
TD Pass (PTD) 4
400+ Yard Passing Game (P400) 2
Every 5 Pass Incompletions (IP5) -3
Interceptions Thrown (INT) -2
Sacked (SK) -1
Rushing: Every 10 Rushing Yards (RY10) 1
TD Rush (RTD) 6
40+ Yard TD Rush Bonus (RTD40) 2
2pt Rushing Conversion (2PR) 2
200+ Yard Rushing Game (RY200) 3
Receiving: Every 10 Receiving Yards (REY10) 1
Every 5 Receptions (REC5) 2
50+ Yard TD Rec Bonus (RETD50) 2
200+ Yard Receiving Game (REY200) 2
TD Reception (RETD) 6
2pt Receiving Conversion (2PRE) 2
Miscellaneous: Kickoff Return TD (KRTD) 6
Punt Return TD (PRTD) 6
Total Fumbles Lost (FUML) -2
Kicking: Each PAT Made (PAT) 1
FG Made (0-39 Yards) (FG0) 3
FG Made (40-49 Yards) (FG40) 4
FG Made (50+ Yards) (FG50) 5
Each PAT Missed (PATM) -2
FG Missed (0-39 Yards) (FGM0) -3
FG Missed (40-49 Yards) (FGM40) -1
Punting: Punts Inside the 10 (PT10) 2
Punts Inside the 20 (PT20) 1
Punt Average 44.0+ (PTA44) 1
Touchback (PTTB) -1
Blocked Punts (PTB) -2
Defensive Players: Each ½ Sack (.5 SK) 1
Total Tackles (TK) 1
Interception Return TD (INTTD) 6
Fumble Return TD (FRTD) 6
Each Interception (INT) 2
Each Fumble Recovered (FR) 2
Stuffs (SF) 2
Head Coach: Team Win (TW) 1
20-24 Point Win Margin (WM20) 1
25+ Point Win Margin (WM25) 2
Team Loss (TL) -1
20-24 Point Loss Margin (LM20) -1
25+ Point Loss Margin (LM25) -2
Team Tie (TIE) -1
Team Defense/ Every 25 Kickoff Return Yards (KR25) 1
Special Teams Every 25 Punt Return Yards (PR25) 2
Each ½ Sack (.5 SK) 1
Interception Return TD (INTTD) 6
Fumble Return TD (FRTD) 6
Kickoff Return TD (KRTD) 6
Punt Return TD (PRTD) 6
Blocked Punt or FG Return for TD (BLKKRTD) 3
Blocked Punt, PAT or FG (BLKK) 2
Each Interception (INT) 2
Each Fumble Recovered (FR) 2
Each Safety (SF) 2
0 Points Allowed (PA0) 10
1-6 Points Allowed (PA1) 7
7-13 Points Allowed (PA7) 4
14-17 Points Allowed (PA14) 1
22-27 Points Allowed (PA22) -1
28-34 Points Allowed (PA28) -4
35-45 Points Allowed (PA35) -7
46+ Points Allowed (PA46) -10
II.IX: Additional Scoring Information
Webpage: http://games.espn.go.com/ffl/leaguesetup/settings?leagueId=452963
Above is the URL for the Scoring Setup of the NDFL. Copy and Paste the URL in your
browser or you can access the scoring in the NDFL by following these steps:
1. Click on the League Tab
2. Click on Settings
3. Click on the Scoring Tab
Fantasy Games are FINAL as of the start of the NFL Game one (2) Weeks after the end
of the Monday Night Game the week that the error occurred. EXAMPLE: If there was a
scoring error for a player that played in the 1:00pm Sunday Game during Week 10, and
it’s not noticed until after the kickoff of the first game of Week 12, then the scoring error
will not be reversed. If the error was noticed during Week 11, before the kickoff of the
NFL game of Week 12, then the statistic will be reversed.
Team Managers are responsible for verifying scores and are responsible for notifying the
commissioner of statistics changes, should they occur.
If necessary, if a Match-Up ends in a tie, the League Commissioner will adjust the Active
Roster Points +1 (Plus One) for the Winning Team Manager, based on Bench Points as
the Tie Breaker, thus breaking the tie. For instance, if Team Manager One and Team
Manager Two tie (say, 107 to 107) during their Weekly Match-Up, and Team Manager
One has scored more points (say, 54) from his/her bench than Team Manager Two (say,
39) during that week of competition, Team Manager One’s Active Roster Points Total
will be adjusted to include an additional point (say, 108 to 107), thus breaking the tie.
The official source for the Statistics of the NDFL is ESPN’s Statistics GameBook.
II.X: Website Navigation
The NDFL will be run utilizing ESPN’s Fantasy Football Webpage.
The Website Address is: http://games.espn.go.com/frontpage/football
A Team Manager can access the NDFL from any computer. If a Team Manager forgets
the League Address, he/she can access it by typing:
1. www.espn.com
2. Click on “Sign In” (at the Top Right)
3. Sign In with your Username/Password
4. Click on Fantasy Football
5. Click on Notre Dave
6. If you are at a fellow Team Manager’s home, click on the word “Logout” in order
to switch users.
Franchise Setup/Options
In order to change your Team/Owner Information:
1. Click on My Team (within the League Homepage)
2. Team Settings (below your Team Graphic)
3. From this webpage, a Team Manager can change information such as Team
Names, Team Logo’s, Team Icons, E-mail Preferences, etc…
4. Feel free to contact the League Commissioner with any website
questions/concerns
ARTICLE III: PLAYOFFS
III.I: The Championship Bracket
Eight (8) of Twenty-Four (24) Franchises will make the Championship Bracket of the
Playoffs. The Six Divisional Winners (Three from each Conference) will earn an
automatic Playoff berth, and Two (2) Wild Card Franchises (One from each Conference).
The Two Wild Card Teams can come from any Division within each Conference.
The Playoffs will commence during Week 15 of the NFL Regular Season and will
continue through Week 17 of the NFL Regular Season.
The Number One Seed will face the weakest Team in the Conference and the remaining
teams within the Conference will face each other. Matchups are determined by the
Playoff Standing Formula.
The Winners of Week 01 of the Playoffs (Week 15 of the NFL Regular Season) will face
each other in the Conference Championship Game (Week 16 of the NFL Regular Season)
during Week 02 of the Playoffs. The Conference Champions will compete in the NDFL
Super Bowl during Week 03 of the Playoffs (Week 17 of the NFL Regular Season).
Playoff Tie-Breakers are determined, as they are during the NDFL Regular Season, by
the highest scoring bench points from each team.
III.II: The Consolation Bracket
The Fourteen (14) Non-Championship Bracket Playoff Franchises will compete for the
League Booby Award as well as the Toilet Bowl Championship.
The League Booby is the Team Manager who ranks last in the Entire League once the
Playoffs are complete.
The Toilet Bowl Championship, while perhaps not decided by an actual Match-up, will
be decided as follows:
1. During the first week of Playoff Competition, every Franchise will compete
Head-To-Head
2. The Two (2) Highest Scoring Teams advance to the Toilet Bowl Championship
during Week 02 (NFL Regular Season Week 17) of the Playoffs.
3. Playoff Match-Up Tie Breakers are determined by the highest scoring bench
points from each team.
III.III: Participation
Participation in the NDFL Playoffs is MANDATORY in both the Winners Bracket and
the Consolation Bracket. A Team Managers participation in the Consolation Bracket
(specifically) will be monitored by the League Manager(s) and factored into the
Weighted Averages for determining Conference and Divisional Alignment for the
subsequent NDFL Seasons. You may think you can strategize your Playoff Participation
in an attempt to outfox the Fox, but I assure you that you most certainly cannot.
ARTICLE IV: PAYOUT BREAKDOWN
NDFL Super Bowl Winner The NDFL Championship Trophy
NDFL Runner Up The NDFL Runner-Up Trophy
NDFL Championship Consolation Game Winner The NDFL 3rd Place Trophy
Blue Divisional Winner The Blue Square Trophy
Gold Divisional Winner The Gold Square Trophy
Wild Card Teams The Buddy Christ Trophy
NDFL Toilet Bowl Winner The Toilet Trophy
The League Booby Winner The League Booby Award
ARTICLE V: ENTRY FEES
A Prospective Team Manager/Franchisee must be willing to put his/her pride on the line
while also agreeing to manage his/her Franchise to the best of his/her abilities. Losing is
allowed, but whining, moaning, or general malaise will not be tolerated.
If Pride is the only thing that you have to lose, what do you have to lose?
SECTION TWO
GOVERNANCE
ARTICLE I: THE INAPPROPRIATE ROSTER RULE
I.I: The Inappropriate Roster Rule
An Inappropriate Roster is an Active Roster which fields a player who is listed as “O”
(Out), on “IR” (Injured Reserve), on Bye Week, or if a Player Slot (position) is unfilled
(For Example: No QB fielded, so the slot is left blank).
EXAMPLE: A Team Manager has Two (2) Quarterbacks. One is Injured and One is on a
Bye-Week. The Team Manager MUST replace one of the Quarterbacks by drafting an
opened Quarterback from the Waivers/Free Agency Board.
RATIONALE: A Team cannot win without a Quarterback, just as a Team cannot win
without a Head Coach. If a roster is submitted while omitting a required Player on the
Franchise’s Active Roster, said Team Manager cannot win his/her Match-Up.
If any Team Manager has fielded an inappropriate roster, for any reasons including, but
not limited to:
1. If a Team Manager throws a game on purpose in order to gain a more favorable
Match-Up during the Playoffs
2. If a Team Manager throws a game, as determined by the League
Commissioner(s), for the purposes of not properly playing the Waiver Board
and/or not utilizing the Trade Option
3. If a Team Manager is not paying attention to his/her roster, thus exhibiting neglect
and laziness.
A Four (4) Owner committee will be assigned to settle the dispute.
I.II: The Voting Committee
1. The Voting Committee will be assigned by the League Commissioner
2. The Voting Committee will be comprised of Team Managers who are NOT
involved in the Match-up in which an inappropriate roster is suspected
3. The Team Manager in question of fielding an inappropriate roster will provide
justification to the committee for starting the roster he/she chose to start
I.III: The Voting Committee Selection
The Committee will be selected using a Last Name Alphabetical Order (A-Z). The first
dispute will be settled by the Four (4) Team Managers whose Last Names start closest to
the letter “A”.
The 2nd Dispute will be settled by the next Four (4) Team Managers in the alphabet so
that the 4-Owner Committee rotates and so that everyone is placed on a committee an
equal amount of times, should the necessity arise.
The League Commissioner is included in this rotation.
If a Franchise has Two Owners, the Manager who originally established the Franchise
will have Unanimous Voting Power. A split choice by Co-Owners will not be accepted.
I.IV: Voting Tiebreakers
If the Four (4) Team Manager Voting Committee cannot agree, with a majority, on the
issue, the League Manager (a Fifth Voting Committee Team Manager) is utilized as the
Tie-Breaker.
The reason for this amendment is specifically for the purposes of ensuring that the voting
Team Managers are not exercising Bias when interpreting the Rules of the League. The
Participation of the League Manager (in the event of a Voting Deadlock) has been created
in order to ensure the proper execution of the Rules.
I.V: The Punishment
If the Voting Committee agrees, with a Majority Vote, that a violation has occurred, then
the Violating Team Manager will automatically lose (in the case of a win) the Match-up
in question.
If the Violating Team Manager lost the Match-up in question, the Team Manager will be
penalized with a Loss in the event of their next Win, should that ever occur.
I.VI: Enforcement of the Punishment
The Following Method will be implemented when adjusting a Win for a Loss:
1. If the Team Manager, found to have violated the Inappropriate Roster Rule, won
their previous Match-Up (The Match-Up in Question), the League Commissioner
will adjust said Team Managers Points down so that he/she lost said Match-Up by
One (1) Point.
2. If the Team Manager, found to have violated the Inappropriate Roster Rule, lost
their previous Match-Up (The Match-Up in Question), the League Commissioner
will adjust said Team Managers Points during said Team Managers NEXT win
down so that he/she loses that next Match-Up by One (1) Point.
3. If the Team Manager, found to have violated the Inappropriate Roster Rule,
doesn’t win for the remainder of the Fantasy Football Season (the entire NFL
Regular Season), said Team Manager will get off with a very stern warning, and
be branded a “Cheater”. Do not be surprised if an Award is created in your honor
so that certain Negative Reinforcements are celebrated.
I.VII: Allowance
If an Active Roster Player injures himself, or if an NFL team changes a specific players’
Injury Designation, less than One (1) Day before his NFL Game, thus changing his status
from Probable (P), Questionable (Q), or Doubtful (D) to Out (O), or Injured Reserve (IR),
the Inappropriate Roster Penalty will NOT be incurred. This Allowance will be
considered a Force Majeure Occurrence, and the Team Manager shall not be punished for
this circumstance, although a Voting Committee will likely be appointed in order to
monitor the interpretation of the rules.
This Allowance ONLY applies to Bye Week situations where the player in question was
dropped from an NFL Team to the NFL Waiver Board (thus forcing a Bye Week
situation for the player).
All other Bye Week roster violations will be considered as such.
I.VIII: Restatement of the Allowance
If an Active Roster Player injures himself, or if an NFL team changes a specific players’
Injury Designation, less than One (1) Day before his NFL Game, thus changing his status
from Probable (P), Questionable (Q), or Doubtful (D) to Out (O), or Injured Reserve (IR),
the Inappropriate Roster Penalty will NOT be incurred. This Allowance will be
considered a Force Majeure Occurrence, and the Team Manager shall not be punished for
this circumstance, although a Voting Committee will likely be appointed in order to
monitor the interpretation of the rules.
This Allowance ONLY applies to Bye Week situations where the player in question was
dropped from an NFL Team to the NFL Waiver Board (thus forcing a Bye Week
situation for the player).
All other Bye Week roster violations will be considered as such.
I.IX: Lazy Voter Rule
The Lazy Voter Rule (Section VIII) has been created to discourage Owners who don’t
interpret the rules appropriately, or who decide not to vote. Abstaining is not permitted
and will be documented appropriately.
Voting that a Violation occurred shall be SPECIFICALLY decided based on the Letters
of the Law. Personal Interpretation, Bias, or other Considerations shall not be injected
into any decision to uphold the Rules.
ARTICLE II: THE BAD TRADE AND/OR COLLUSION RULE
II.I: The Bad Trade or Collusion Rule
If a Team Manager believes a trade was made in collusion (2 Team Managers trying to
stack a team) or a trade was made that is so unfair that it will unbalance the league,
he/she should bring it to the attention of the League Commissioner immediately, while
also posting the alert on the Message Board the reasons for feeling that the trade meets
the collusion or the bad trade rules.
Collusion, for the sake of the NDFL, will be defined as:
1. Two Team Managers attempting to stack a team for the benefit of one Team
Manager
2. Team Managers trading players to the Waiver Board for the benefit of another
specific Team Manager so that his/her team can improve
3. Team Managers sitting/resting Players or dropping Players so that another Team
Manager can earn a win.
4. Any other situation not mentioned within this specific section.
The League Commissioner will assemble a Four-Owner Voting Committee to investigate
the matter in question.
II.II: The Voting Committee
1. The Voting Committee will be assigned by the League Commissioner
2. The Voting Committee will be comprised of Team Managers who are NOT
involved in the Bad Trade/Collusion process in question
3. The Team Managers in question of a Bad Trade or Collusion will provide
justification to the committee for their actions
II.III: The Voting Committee Selection
The Committee will be selected using a Last Name Alphabetical Order (A-Z). The first
dispute will be settled by the Four (4) Team Managers whose Last Names start closest to
the letter “A”.
The 2nd Dispute will be settled by the next Four (4) Team Managers in the alphabet so
that the 4-Owner Committee rotates and so that everyone is placed on a committee an
equal amount of times, should the necessity arise.
The League Commissioner is included in this rotation.
If a Franchise is owned by Two Owners, then the Owner with the Last Name with the
letter closest to “A” will be used in the committee rotation, however, the Team Manager
who originally established the Franchise will have Unanimous Voting Power should both
Managers not be able to agree upon an acceptable outcome. A split choice by Co-Owner
Teams will not be accepted.
II.IV: Voting Tiebreakers
If the Four (4) Team Manager Voting Committee cannot agree, with a majority, on the
issue, the League Manager (a Fifth Voting Committee Team Manager) is utilized as the
Tie-Breaker.
The reason for this amendment is specifically for the purposes of ensuring that the voting
Team Managers are not exercising Bias when interpreting the Rules of the League. The
Participation of the League Manager (in the event of a Voting Deadlock) has been created
in order to ensure the proper execution of the Rules.
II.V: The Punishment
If the Voting Committee agrees, with a Majority Vote, that a violation has occurred, then
the Violating Team Manager(s) will automatically lose their next Match-up Win, and the
Trade will be reversed.
Further, both owners may be banned from the League and new owners may be secured.
II.VI: Enforcement of the Punishment
The Following Method will be implemented when adjusting a Win for a Loss:
1. A Team Manager, found to have violated the Bad Trade/Collusion Rule, will be
stripped of their next win. The League Commissioner will adjust said Team
Managers Points down so that he/she lost said Match-Up Win by One (1) Point.
2. If the Team Manager, found to have violated the Bad Trade/Collusion Rule,
doesn’t win for the remainder of the Fantasy Football Season (the entire NFL
Regular Season), said Team Manager will get off with a very stern warning, and
be branded a “Cheater”, and also may be banned from the League. Do not be
surprised if an Award is created in your honor so that certain Negative
Reinforcements are celebrated.
II.VII: Team Manager’s Interpretation of the Bad Trade/Collusion Rule
The Bad Trade/Collusion Rule is a very sketchy proposition. Sometimes an unbalanced
trade can (and should) be allowed to proceed if the owners can justify that the trade is
equitable for both teams. A trade CANNOT be voided simply because it makes a very
good team better. A Team Manager has the right to manage his/her team in the fashion
he/she desires even if others do not agree.
II.VIII: Lazy Voter Rule
The Lazy Voter Rule (Section VIII) has been created to discourage owners that keep
trying to veto trades simply because they feel it makes an opposing team “too good”.
Voting that a Violation occurred shall be SPECIFICALLY decided based on the Letters
of the Law. Personal Interpretation, Bias, or other Considerations shall not be injected
into any decision to uphold the Rules, or who decide not to vote. Abstaining is not
permitted and will be documented appropriately.
ARTICLE III: THE LAZY VOTER RULE
III.I: In Consideration of the Inappropriate Roster Rule
If a Team Manager votes inappropriately, based on the Letters of the Laws of the League,
said inappropriate vote will be documented appropriately and as such.
If any one Team Manager votes inappropriately on Three (3) Separate Occasions, at any
time during the entire existence of the Franchise, and in all perpetuity, a Three (3)
Member Voting Committee will be appointed randomly by the League Manager.
If the Three (3) Member Voting Committee decides that all three situations, where the
Team Manager in question voted for a specific violation, are believed to be fair enough to
be allowed to stand and are not overturned, then that Team Manager will incur the Lazy
Voter Rule Penalty, which is the same penalty listed under Section VI.V.
III.II: In Consideration of the Bad Trade and/or Collusion Rule
If a Team Manager believes a trade was made in collusion (2 Team Managers trying to
stack a team) or that a trade was made that is so unfair that it will unbalance the league,
he/she should bring it to the attention of the League Commissioner immediately, while
also posting the alert on the Message Board the reasons for feeling that the trade meets
the collusion or the bad trade rules.
If any one Team Manager brings Three (3) trades/charges to Vote during the Fantasy
Season (Draft Day through the end of the NDFL Regular Season), a Three (3) Member
Voting Committee will be appointed randomly. If the Three (3) Member Voting
Committee all decide, by majority vote, that the Trades are fair enough to be allowed to
stand and are not overturned, then that Team Manager will incur the Lazy Voter Rule
Penalty which is the same penalty listed under Section VII.V.
This penalty CAN affect a Team Managers ability to make the Championship Bracket of
the Playoffs in the NDFL.
III.III: In Consideration of Team Managers Who Choose To Abstain
An Abstaining Vote is not permitted within the NDFL. A Team Manager who either
chooses not to vote, or who fails to vote, will be noted accordingly.
If any Team Manager receives an “Abstain” record on Three (3) Separate Occasions, at
any time during the entire existence of the Franchise, and in all perpetuity, a Three (3)
Member Voting Committee will be appointed randomly by the League Manager.
If the Three (3) Member Voting Committee decides that the Team Manager is being
Lazy, and thus, not pulling his/her weight in observance of assisting to regulate the
League, the Team Manager in Question will incur the Lazy Voter Rule Penalty, which is
the same penalty listed under Section VI.V and VII.V.
ARTICLE IV: RULE CHANGES
All rules are subject to change. In order for a rule to change mid-season (Draft Day
through the end of the NDFL Playoffs), 75% of the Team Managers (18 of 24) must
agree. If a Team Manager abstains (doesn’t vote), a 75% approval from the Active
Voting Team Managers Collective will be required to change a rule mid-season.
EXAMPLES:
1. A Team Manager notices an error in the scoring system of the NDFL
2. A Team Manager wishes to amend rules pertaining to the NDFL
3. A Team Manager wishes to modify Trade Deadlines or Waiver Periods
The League Commissioner may change any rule without notice throughout the duration
of the Fantasy Football Season, although, he generally allows for established rules to
remain in tact so that he is not accused of stacking odds in his favor.
ARTICLE V: VOTING ANONYMITY
V.I: Anonymity
All votes are kept confidential to the League, and monitored by the League
Commissioner for record-keeping purposes. The League Commissioner will never
divulge the outcome of any vote.
If a Team Manager is on a League Commissioner assigned Committee, or if a Team
Manager votes for a Rule Change, you must post your vote to the League Manager via E-
mail. Partial Voting Anonymity shall exist because someone needs to keep track of
Voting Information. Vote details (Names) shall not be disclosed to the infringing or
accused party so that no animosity breeds within the League.
If a Team Manager, who has been appointed to a Voting Committee, decides to tell
others about his/her vote, he/she can do so, however, that determination can only be
decided solely by the Voting Team Manager.
V.II: League Manager Violations
If the League Commissioner is accused of any rule violations, all votes will be submitted
to the Co-League Commissioner (Jen Beauchamp) via E-mail
(beauchamp_jen@yahoo.com). The details of the Vote will be kept confidential until the
end of the Fantasy Season. Upon completion of the Fantasy Season, the results of a vote
against said League Commissioner must be disclosed so that proper Record Keeping can
remain intact.
If the League Commissioner and the Co-League Commissioner is accused of any rule
violations, all votes will be submitted to the League Managers wife (Jen Brunsman) via
E-mail (goldnkrisp@yahoo.com). The details of the Vote will be kept confidential until
the end of the Fantasy Season. Upon completion of the Fantasy Season, the results of a
vote against said League Commissioner must be disclosed so that proper Record Keeping
can remain intact.
SECTION THREE
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
ARTICLE I: OWNER TRAGEDY
If an owner is hospitalized or is unable to manage his/her Franchise due to
health/personal issues, the following actions will occur.
1. If a Team Manager is able to delegate someone to run his/her Franchise while
he/she is unable to do so, such a transaction will be allowed. The League
Commissioner must be made aware of said changes, and proper contact
information for the Delegate must be relayed to the League Commissioner for
purposes of League Messages.
2. If a Team Manager is unable to delegate someone, the Commissioner will contact
his closest family member (wife, brother, etc…) to ask if they would like to
Delegate someone to run the owner’s Franchise for him/her. The same will occur
if the owner passes away.
3. If the Family of the Team Manager is unable to be reached, or doesn’t want
anything to do with Fantasy Football (WHAT!), or if it would be inappropriate to
approach the Family about something so trivial as Fantasy Football (DOUBLE
WHAT!), then the Commissioner will appoint a Delegate to manage the Team
Managers lineup for him/her.
4. If the Team Manager is unable to return to managing his/her Franchise do to
terminal illness, the League will replace the owner during the Offseason.
5. In case something happens to the Commissioner, the league will appoint someone
to take over the duties of the Commissioner. Jennifer Brunsman maintains the
Commissioner’s Password for the League. The new Commissioner should
receive the password from Jennifer in order to complete the duties of the
Commissioner. A member of the League should contact the Commissioner’s
Wife about acquiring the Leagues Prize Monies in the case that the Commissioner
kicks the bucket. Jen should be shown a copy of these Bylaws which clearly
states the Commissioners wish for which Prize Monies to be paid out and for the
League to continue despite his untimely death and to the disappointment of
countless Fantasy Football Fanatics.
ARTICLE II: PLEADING IGNORANCE
Every Team Manager is expected to know the rules of the NDFL, especially those that
pertain to Roster Requirements and Penalties for making illegal roster moves. A Team
Manager should read the League Bylaws thoroughly and ask for clarification of any rule
before the season begins. Most of the Team Managers participate in multiple Fantasy
Football Leagues which maintain very different rules, and therefore, it can be very
difficult to remember the differences in rules between leagues.
Ignorance is not a valid excuse in the NDFL.
ARTICLE III: ISSUES NOT COVERED IN THE RULES
If an issue occurs which is not spelled out in the rules of the NDFL, then a League-Wide
Vote will be taken and the majority vote will decide the issue. If a Dead-Lock occurs,
then the Commissioner’s vote will be the Tie-Breaker.
ARTICLE IV: FIRST RULE OF THE NDFL
1. Know the Rules!
ARTICLE V: SECOND RULE OF THE NDFL
2. Revert to Rule #1
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