changing league rules (1 Viewer)

[fsufan]

I am a commissioner of a 10 team dynasty league. Two owners wants me to change the playoff format. I came up with 2 new formats and have asked the league to vote on which playoff format they like the best: current, new format 1 or new format 2.

I know my owners very well, all of them will not vote. I will get about 5 or 6 votes. One owner wants me just to change the format since all the owners will not vote. His agreement is it is the best for the league. I do agree but I do not think I have the right to just make major rule changes without the permission of the league.

Here is my question.

Is it right for a commissioner to change a major league rule (playoff format, scoring, or starting line ups, ECT) without the permission from the league or putting it to a league vote?

As an FF owner how would you feel if the commissioner just changed a major rule without asking the league or putting it to a vote?

This league is in its 9th year with 10 solid, diehard, dedicated owners.

And it is a $ league

$150 league fee.

 

[Iceman66]

no vote = no change. It sounds like you have a great league, don't play around with it, or it might go bye bye

 

[Borat]

You have to have a vote. If other owners don't bother to vote at all, they can't complain, but you have to at least give them that option.

 

[fsufan]

no vote = no change. It sounds like you have a great league, don't play around with it, or it might go bye bye

I was thinking the same thing. I am lucky as a commissioner to have the owners I do.

 

[The Jerk]

Your rules/constitution/by-laws should specify how changes are implemented. In my league, we have a simple majority vote for any change to league format, free agency, playoff structure, etc. The Commissioner is empowered to make judgment calls, scoring decisions, and very minor tweaks of the "common sense" variety. Any of these "common sense" decisions can be taken to a league vote if an owner is unhappy.

If your league doesn't outline a process for change(s), then that is something you also should pursue.

ETA: Majority vote requires sufficient voter participation. If only 6 of 10 owners vote, then all of them need to vote the same way, as abstaining = no in terms of achieving a majority. However, you could also specifically state the abstaining = a null vote, and that only a plurality is required... but first you'd have to pass this law through the normal means.

 

[fsufan]

You have to have a vote. If other owners don't bother to vote at all, they can't complain, but you have to at least give them that option.

what if I do not get all ten votes? Do I leave it as is or make a change.

 

[fsufan]

Your rules/constitution/by-laws should specify how changes are implemented. In my league, we have a simple majority vote for any change to league format, free agency, playoff structure, etc. The Commissioner is empowered to make judgment calls, scoring decisions, and very minor tweaks of the "common sense" variety. Any of these "common sense" decisions can be taken to a league vote if an owner is unhappy.If your league doesn't outline a process for change(s), then that is something you also should pursue.

we do not. but this is a great idea.

 

[The Jerk]

You have to have a vote. If other owners don't bother to vote at all, they can't complain, but you have to at least give them that option.

what if I do not get all ten votes? Do I leave it as is or make a change.

If 6 or more owners vote the same way, you don't need all ten votes unless your league requires more than a simple majority.

 

[The Jerk]

Your rules/constitution/by-laws should specify how changes are implemented. In my league, we have a simple majority vote for any change to league format, free agency, playoff structure, etc. The Commissioner is empowered to make judgment calls, scoring decisions, and very minor tweaks of the "common sense" variety. Any of these "common sense" decisions can be taken to a league vote if an owner is unhappy.If your league doesn't outline a process for change(s), then that is something you also should pursue.

we do not. but this is a great idea.

I would be glad to send you our Constitution as a model. It's in Word format. There are some eccentricities and such as far as scoring and roster requirements, but clearly you can make this your own. PM me if you're interested.

 

[Borat]

You have to have a vote. If other owners don't bother to vote at all, they can't complain, but you have to at least give them that option.

what if I do not get all ten votes? Do I leave it as is or make a change.

I would send out an email and tell them that they have until [whatever date] to get back to you. Assuming all the owners check their email regularly, there is no excuse for not getting back to you in a timely manner.That being said, I would be hesitant to make any rule changes without a majority vote.On the other hand, since this won't even be an issue until late in the season, why don't you just get a vote from everyone on draft day?

 

[mcjc4]

Have the vote at the draft, present the ideas, give 15-20 minutes of discussion and vote. Those that don't care either way will throw their vote to whoever is getting them a beer or is making a strong point for the new format.

 

[fsufan]

Your rules/constitution/by-laws should specify how changes are implemented. In my league, we have a simple majority vote for any change to league format, free agency, playoff structure, etc. The Commissioner is empowered to make judgment calls, scoring decisions, and very minor tweaks of the "common sense" variety. Any of these "common sense" decisions can be taken to a league vote if an owner is unhappy.If your league doesn't outline a process for change(s), then that is something you also should pursue.

we do not. but this is a great idea.

I would be glad to send you our Constitution as a model. It's in Word format. There are some eccentricities and such as far as scoring and roster requirements, but clearly you can make this your own. PM me if you're interested.

PM sentthanks for the help

 

[fsufan]

You have to have a vote. If other owners don't bother to vote at all, they can't complain, but you have to at least give them that option.

what if I do not get all ten votes? Do I leave it as is or make a change.

I would send out an email and tell them that they have until [whatever date] to get back to you. Assuming all the owners check their email regularly, there is no excuse for not getting back to you in a timely manner.That being said, I would be hesitant to make any rule changes without a majority vote.On the other hand, since this won't even be an issue until late in the season, why don't you just get a vote from everyone on draft day?

the draft is 8/11/06I am going to bring up the issue if i do not get all votes by then

 

[fsufan]

Bump for opinions

 

[AcerFC]

I have been commish of football and baseball leagues for the last 6 years. Any rule can be changed by the commish before the season begins without a vote. The guys in my league trust me enough to know that the new rules are going to benefit the league. Once in season, then I agree with everyone else and it must go to a vote. I would say a majority wins it.

I also agree that a constitution is necessary. I actually have a very indepth one with Sections and articles, but taking the time to do this shows the league that you are intersted in making this a great league and one that doesnt have chaos.

You also need to make a decision if the new rule will benefit the league as a whole, or just the one guy who wants it. As commish you get to decide things, then the teams have to decide if they want to stay in or not

 

[BigRed]

I am a commissioner of a 10 team dynasty league. Two owners (really just 1, one owner respect my decision) wants me to change the playoff format. I came up with 2 new formats and have asked the league to vote on which playoff format they like the best: current, new format 1 or new format 2.

I know my owners very well, all of them will not vote. I will get about 5 or 6 votes. One owner wants me just to change the format since all the owners will not vote. His agreement is it is the best for the league. I do agree but I do not think I have the right to just make major rule changes without the permission of the league.

Here is my question.

Is it right for a commissioner to change a major league rule (playoff format, scoring, or starting line ups, ECT) without the permission from the league or putting it to a league vote?

As an FF owner how would you feel if the commissioner just changed a major rule without asking the league or putting it to a vote?

This league is in its 9th year with 10 solid, diehard, dedicated owners.

And it is a $ league

$150 league fee.

I give up, how do the people who can't be bothered to vote matter? If they don't vote, clearly they don't care. The answer as stated/implied by others (or similar) is the majority of those who vote wins, tie-breaker decided by commish. This isn't hard.

 

[Chaka]

Bump for opinions

Why? Everyone has given you excellent advice already. Simple majority = 6 votes, abstaining = a no vote. Try to have the vote at the draft.Problem solved, no?

 

[BigRed]

As commish you get to decide things, then the teams have to decide if they want to stay in or not

In rare cases (such as yours apparently) this can work, but I'd bet heavy money that in most cases a league set up this way would suck. wtf w/people in the league having no say-so? I wouldn't join a league like that for free. Talk about setting up a league for failure (or at least high turnover rate).

 

[u999spf]

If you do not get a response from owners on a vote, just do not count them either way. It is obvious they do not really care either way and are just sheep that are incapable of independent thought.

So if you have 10 owners in your league and 5 owners do not vote you just need a 3-2 margin to push through any rule change and if one of the other owners complain about it later, tell them tough #### #######, you should have voiced your opinion when you were given the opportunity to do so.

 

[GregR_2]

As commish you get to decide things, then the teams have to decide if they want to stay in or not

In rare cases (such as yours apparently) this can work, but I'd bet heavy money that in most cases a league set up this way would suck. wtf w/people in the league having no say-so? I wouldn't join a league like that for free. Talk about setting up a league for failure (or at least high turnover rate).

Depends on the situation. I started a new league so I can try out rules in a dynasty setting, stuff that was too hard to get 12 people in an existing league on board with changing to. Made clear I was making the league to try out some stuff, and so I was going to have final say on the rules changes. I knew what I was asking, and if anyone who I was inviting to join didn't think they'd be ok with that setup, I'd understand and no hard feelings. But also made clear I'd be seeking input, and sometimes would just throw changes out there for a league vote and go with the majority when I didn't have strong feelings on what was best. Oh, and also, that's just for rule changes... we have 3 commishes who actually enforce the rules during the season, so in the case of a dispute I don't have final say, it taks 2 of 3 commishes to agree on a resolution.It's gone well so far. The other owners have had experience with me as a commish in the past, and I think I've built up cred in that respect that I won't make arbitrary decisions or not seek input before making decisions. There's some extra responsibility on me though having it like this. I really have to think through any changes even more, gather feedback, and if I don't decide to go with the consensus, let them know why.I agree I wouldn't get into such a league lightly. I'd probably only do it if I had a lot of history with the person who would have the decision making power.

 

[bentley]

We set aside time on draft day before the auction actually starts for rule change proposals, discussion and votes. Things like playoff format changes go into effect the same year. Votes that change things like player scoring go into effect for the next season.

 

[Bears_Man2]

Either the league agrees by the set aside terms (X% of votes in Y amount of weeks) prior to the league's start, or things remain the same.

The thing I like about Xpertsports.com is that you can put the option of knowing who voted and who hasn't.

 

[GrandpaRox]

I am a commissioner of a 10 team dynasty league. Two owners (really just 1, one owner respect my decision) wants me to change the playoff format. I came up with 2 new formats and have asked the league to vote on which playoff format they like the best: current, new format 1 or new format 2. I know my owners very well, all of them will not vote. I will get about 5 or 6 votes. One owner wants me just to change the format since all the owners will not vote. His agreement is it is the best for the league. I do agree but I do not think I have the right to just make major rule changes without the permission of the league. Here is my question. Is it right for a commissioner to change a major league rule (playoff format, scoring, or starting line ups, ECT) without the permission from the league or putting it to a league vote? As an FF owner how would you feel if the commissioner just changed a major rule without asking the league or putting it to a vote?This league is in its 9th year with 10 solid, diehard, dedicated owners.And it is a $ league$150 league fee.

Rules may be revised, or amended, during the annual January Rules Meeting with a two-thirds majority approval of the franchise owners.

 

[Maelstrom]

Our league has a rules meeting in the summer if any rule changes have been requested, and a simple majority of all owners present at the rules meeting equals a changed vote.

No minimum either by design - if only 3 people show up at the rules meeting, 2 votes are needed to change a rule. We make every effort to schedule the rules meeting on a day that everyone in the league can be present if desired. Oh, and if an even number, commish's vote counts +1% to break ties, as the commish should have the league's best interests at heart, even if the proposed rule would hurt his team by being implimented.

 

[Mr.Blonde]

Thats the way my league is. We've been together for 12 years now and while we do not have a formal rule-changing process, everyone knows I'm not out to destroy the league. I would not move on something if I did not feel that there was a concensus.

There is sort of a "checks and balances" thing going on.........I could change all the rules, but then everyone would quit the league, so I don't change all the rules.

 

[fsufan]

I am a commissioner of a 10 team dynasty league. Two owners (really just 1, one owner respect my decision) wants me to change the playoff format. I came up with 2 new formats and have asked the league to vote on which playoff format they like the best: current, new format 1 or new format 2. I know my owners very well, all of them will not vote. I will get about 5 or 6 votes. One owner wants me just to change the format since all the owners will not vote. His agreement is it is the best for the league. I do agree but I do not think I have the right to just make major rule changes without the permission of the league. Here is my question. Is it right for a commissioner to change a major league rule (playoff format, scoring, or starting line ups, ECT) without the permission from the league or putting it to a league vote? As an FF owner how would you feel if the commissioner just changed a major rule without asking the league or putting it to a vote?This league is in its 9th year with 10 solid, diehard, dedicated owners.And it is a $ league$150 league fee.

Rules may be revised, or amended, during the annual January Rules Meeting with a two-thirds majority approval of the franchise owners.

use to have an offseason owners meeting but only 3 or 4 owners would show up, so I stopped them.I did get 8 votes5 votes for current playoff format( Majority of the league)2 votes for new format 11 vote for new format 2no rule changeIt worked out.

 

[The Commish]

You have to have a vote. If other owners don't bother to vote at all, they can't complain, but you have to at least give them that option.

Give them the opportunity to vote. If they don't, that's their choice. Just make it clear that the people who don't use their vote will forfeit the vote and it will go towards what you want as the commissioner. This works well in my league and how I have approached things from day one. It's all up to them should they choose to engage. If they don't want to engage, do what you want.

 

[cobalt_27]

I approach things a bit differently in my league. First, it's my league, and I can do whatever the hell I want. However...

I also recognize that all the guys in my league are friends, and I don't want to do things that are going to piss them off, either. This guides all of my decisions about where to move the league. For instance, we've had a WR/TE position since the league first started. I've been pushing hard to split this up and make the TE position its own entity. Now, if I had my way, I would just summarily disregard the wishes of my leaguemates and create the new lineup format. But, they've made it clear by a large majority that this is not the direction they want to go. They're idiots, but...I love 'em anyway, and if they feel that strongly about it, I'm ok with that.

What I strongly suggest is dispersing powers among three commissioners. Given that we usually have our own teams, it's important to remove the possible conflict of interest the dual position holds. With this setup...

1. If all three commissioners unanimously agree on a rule change, it is set in stone with no vote.

2. If 2 of 3 commissioners support a rule change, it goes before a vote, and a majority of the league needs to vote against it to deny the rule change.

3. If 1 of 3 commissioners support a rule change, it goes before a vote, and a majority of the league needs to vote FOR it in order to accept the rule change.

4. Even if all three commishes unanimously vote on something, an owner can make a formal challenge to the rule change, and 3/4 vote would be needed by the league to overturn it.

Usually, I poll the league, anyway, before doing anything just to be sure I'm not advancing something ridiculously ######ed.

My issue with league voting is that it often makes progress painful and slow. At least in my league, guys have been historically traditional. Had we put everything to a vote from the outset, we'd never be an auction league, we'd likely be limited in our scoring system, we'd probably not do keepers...basically, we'd still be in the stone age of FF. But, all of the changes this league has gone through over the years has made it for the better, and I've had a number of owners say about any number of these changes that, "I didn't like the idea at first, but this has really worked well" or something like that. I see my role as one to consider what needs to be done to make the league better and make those changes. If it's something that doesn't seem to have much appeal, there's a mechanism in place to give meaningful voice to deny something that I might otherwise strongly support.

So far, it's worked quite well.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

I'm glad everything worked out, but I have to question how "solid," "diehard" and "dedicated" the owners are if you only expected about half to vote on a new playoff format.

It's good that you got eight and the issue is resolved, but you should get 100% of owners voting on important issues. If they don't care enough to weigh in on how the PLAYOFFS are set up...how dedicated can they be?

I'm not attacking your league; I just think that owners need to know that apathy isn't acceptable when an important part of the league's format is up for change.

 

[fsufan]

I'm glad everything worked out, but I have to question how "solid," "diehard" and "dedicated" the owners are if you only expected about half to vote on a new playoff format. It's good that you got eight and the issue is resolved, but you should get 100% of owners voting on important issues. If they don't care enough to weigh in on how the PLAYOFFS are set up...how dedicated can they be?I'm not attacking your league; I just think that owners need to know that apathy isn't acceptable when an important part of the league's format is up for change.

They are solid, diehard and dedicated because they manage their teams well. Pay league feesSet lines upFollow the WWTry to make trades to benefit their teamTrustworthyHonestDependableSome of them just want me to make the rules.

 

[The Jerk]

I'm glad everything worked out, but I have to question how "solid," "diehard" and "dedicated" the owners are if you only expected about half to vote on a new playoff format. It's good that you got eight and the issue is resolved, but you should get 100% of owners voting on important issues. If they don't care enough to weigh in on how the PLAYOFFS are set up...how dedicated can they be?I'm not attacking your league; I just think that owners need to know that apathy isn't acceptable when an important part of the league's format is up for change.

They are solid, diehard and dedicated because they manage their teams well. Pay league feesSet lines upFollow the WWTry to make trades to benefit their teamTrustworthyHonestDependableSome of them just want me to make the rules.

A lot of people don't want to get into rules. That's not their thing.fsufan,You may have another shot at changing the rules next season. When you propose a change, some owners will remember the alternative that was presented and keep it in mind as the current season progresses. You can help remind the owners, too. Several important rules changes took three or more attempts to pass in my league. Good luck.

 

[fridayfrenzy]

You need a certain # of votes, not a percentage.

If those owners do not vote, then they do not care to change the rule that much that you actually need to change it.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

I'm glad everything worked out, but I have to question how "solid," "diehard" and "dedicated" the owners are if you only expected about half to vote on a new playoff format. It's good that you got eight and the issue is resolved, but you should get 100% of owners voting on important issues. If they don't care enough to weigh in on how the PLAYOFFS are set up...how dedicated can they be?I'm not attacking your league; I just think that owners need to know that apathy isn't acceptable when an important part of the league's format is up for change.

They are solid, diehard and dedicated because they manage their teams well. Pay league feesSet lines upFollow the WWTry to make trades to benefit their teamTrustworthyHonestDependableSome of them just want me to make the rules.

I think part of "dependable" is voting on league issues like you care about what happens during the season. I'm not talking about "what bar should should hold the draft at," but the playoff format is nearly as important as you can get. If they want you to make the rules...why are you still voting? The pay league fees, set line-ups, follow waiver wire, make trades, etc are the bare minimum of what owners should be expected to do. Actually playing the game you agreed to play isn't a sign of "die hard" to me, although I admit that many owners don't live up to these expectations. I just think that "trustworthy" means that the commissioner can trust you to weigh in on an important league issue instead of having to hope that half the league cares enough about the playoff system to give an opinion.

 

[fsufan]

I'm glad everything worked out, but I have to question how "solid," "diehard" and "dedicated" the owners are if you only expected about half to vote on a new playoff format. It's good that you got eight and the issue is resolved, but you should get 100% of owners voting on important issues. If they don't care enough to weigh in on how the PLAYOFFS are set up...how dedicated can they be?I'm not attacking your league; I just think that owners need to know that apathy isn't acceptable when an important part of the league's format is up for change.

They are solid, diehard and dedicated because they manage their teams well. Pay league feesSet lines upFollow the WWTry to make trades to benefit their teamTrustworthyHonestDependableSome of them just want me to make the rules.

I think part of "dependable" is voting on league issues like you care about what happens during the season. I'm not talking about "what bar should should hold the draft at," but the playoff format is nearly as important as you can get. If they want you to make the rules...why are you still voting? The pay league fees, set line-ups, follow waiver wire, make trades, etc are the bare minimum of what owners should be expected to do. Actually playing the game you agreed to play isn't a sign of "die hard" to me, although I admit that many owners don't live up to these expectations. I just think that "trustworthy" means that the commissioner can trust you to weigh in on an important league issue instead of having to hope that half the league cares enough about the playoff system to give an opinion.