How do you make your league more fun (1 Viewer)

[GoBears84]

(I saw Joe actually post this thread idea in another thread. I went searching for it but couldn't find it - so if you have a thread link, by all means, please provide it.)

I'm looking for a way to increase the fun in my league.

10 team redraft league. 9 starters, 5 on the bench, 1 IR spot if needed. League is head-to-head, but league high score each week wins cash. Regular season winner and playoff winner both win cash. 1 keeper (but not from your first 3 draft picks).

With such thin benches, guys need to keep active on the WW and that makes it interesting. But there is zero chatter. So I'm looking for ideas on how to make the league more fun.

Would love to hear what others do...

 

[CaptainHook]

weekly coaches poll rankings

 

[Yenrub]

I send out a weekly matchup sheet for both of my 12 team leagues. It just shows who is playing who, what their current record is, what their power rank is (per MFL), what their historical H2H record is and the score the last time the two teams played. I also pick one game a week per league to be "the game of the week" and write a few corney lines about both teams to help get the trash talk started. I miss a week or two here and there when I am busy with other stuff but it's no big deal.

Typically there is a lot of trash talking started by this email, lots of why isn't my team in the game of the week.

Here is a sample

Week 3#8 Black Swarm (1-1) vs. #11 Diamond Cutters (0-2)Series:  Swarm lead 3-0Last meeting:  Swarm 27.27 - 25.64 #5 Greensboro Prowlers (1-1) vs. #4 Black Russians (1-1)Series:  Prowlers lead 6-4Last meeting:  Russians 60.1 - 30.25 #7 Killer Ho’s (1-1) vs. #10 Warriors (1-1)Series:  Warriors lead 8-2Last meeting:  Warriors 62.36 - 41.87 #1 Fighting Amish (2-0) vs. #9 V-Dawg & Da Boyz (1-1)Series:  Amish lead 4-0Last meeting:  Amish 51.57 - 33.53 #12 Produce or Perish (1-1) vs. #6 Big Daddy (1-1)Series:  POP lead 4-2Last meeting:  POP 80.73 - 5.18 ****Game of the Week****#3 K-Funk Voodoo (1-1) vs. #2 Wardogs (1-1)Series:  Wardogs lead 5-3Last meeting:  Wardogs 39.3 - 34.43Holy mirror image Batman! These teams both opened the season with 80 points and a win followed up by solid week 2 performances that ended up in a loss. Both have a Manning at QB! Not only are they #2 and #3 in the Power Rank but they are 2nd and 3rd in scoring. This week the mirror will break for someone. Who will it be?

 

[Clifford]

We do MNF previews every Monday afternoon and full recaps every Tuesday. Plus it's a money league with very aggressive yardage bonuses.

 

[djjosee]

Lots and lots of nakid women.

 

[kd1]

Total Points.

 

[jon007]

Back when I commished i would do a FF version of nfl playbook. Kept it light and funny. Head to head format each week the loser would pay the winner $5. Though the money stung a little the bragging was more. Created more smack talk though out the week.

 

[atcdav]

Trash talk always helps. We post made up news stories on the Sportsline home page poking fun of each other. we pay winnings teams each week. We fine a team that wins but has the second lowest overall score that week. One of my leagues is a work league which helps cuz you see owners daily and there is never a shortage of trade talk, etc

 

[basher]

We have rivalry props similar to college footballs 1 game rivalry trophy (IE: the winner of MN Gophers and WI Badgers yearly game get Ball Bunyan's ax trophy) . The champion gets an old wrestling championship belt that has to be worn over the shoulder at any FF gathering. Lots of side betting.

 

[CataclysmicThunder]

I like to do weekly stat rankings, a season-long "Owner of the Year" competition (with "bold" season predictions tied in), Division vs. Division (including annual Rookie vs. Rookie matchups), and Pick 'Em in my leagues (IDP Dynasty leagues). I award over a thousand weekly and annual trophies every year as well. It is time-consuming, but most of the guys in my leagues are thankfully active and exquisitely competitive and make it all worth the effort. Link to front page of one of my leagues: http://games.espn.go.com/ffl/leagueoffice?leagueId=172662.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

These are all good ideas, but nothing is better than getting together in person. If you can watch games together, great. But even if you can see each other on other nights (poker, whatever) and talk about the league, it becomes more fun.

Nothing is better than face-to-face interaction. In some leagues, if you get more than two owners in the same room it becomes a league meeting/analysis session. That's what you want. I know it's not always possible, but I don't think you can get it on e-mail or the Internet. Do whatever you can to get as much of the league as possible together in person.

 

[CataclysmicThunder]

These are all good ideas, but nothing is better than getting together in person. If you can watch games together, great. But even if you can see each other on other nights (poker, whatever) and talk about the league, it becomes more fun.Nothing is better than face-to-face interaction. In some leagues, if you get more than two owners in the same room it becomes a league meeting/analysis session. That's what you want. I know it's not always possible, but I don't think you can get it on e-mail or the Internet. Do whatever you can to get as much of the league as possible together in person.

 

[GoBears84]

These are all good ideas, but nothing is better than getting together in person. If you can watch games together, great. But even if you can see each other on other nights (poker, whatever) and talk about the league, it becomes more fun.Nothing is better than face-to-face interaction. In some leagues, if you get more than two owners in the same room it becomes a league meeting/analysis session. That's what you want. I know it's not always possible, but I don't think you can get it on e-mail or the Internet. Do whatever you can to get as much of the league as possible together in person.

Both leagues that I am in are scattered across the US and there are guys I've known for 10 years through email but have never met... We're considering getting together in Vegas next year for the draft.

 

[footballnerd]

Weekly polls like which of the 4-0 teams will remain undefeated?

which is the worst draft mistake ever....1. so and so taking the wrong Adrian Peterson with the first pick, 2.....?

Which NY Jet reporter is hotter?

Post up celebrity/pro player look a likes of league members.

Weekly NFL odds analysis, whats the picks of the week?

Prize for best weekly league pick em record.

Humorous trash talking is essential

 

[kylechoffman]

Weekly Polls

Weekly top points prize for top scoring team

Occasional awards for being a bad manager

Matchup of the week on the homepage of ESPN in two leagues and quick tidbits on some of the other matchups

Monday updates with MNF what to watch for..

The weekly prizes and an overall 16 week points prize keep most teams interested.

Lastly, we have a toilet bowl in all of my leagues and in one of them, the bottom two teams play week 15 and the loser pays $25 of the winners entry dues in the next season.

 

[Topes]

Total Points.

 

[Pickle Rody]

Elimination Pool - each of the 12 teams throw an extra $10 in for this. Each week the low score is the eliminated until at the end of week 11 one team remains. That team wins $120.

CBS - Fantasy Pick 'Em Pool (Fantasy Pool on MFL) - each team throws an extra $5 in for this. We use weekly weights. Highest point total at the end of regular season wins $60.

Pro Bowl Pool - each team throws an extra $10 in for this. We have a Pro Bowl during the NFL playoffs. Each team uses players from their own fantasy roster that are on NFL playoff teams. Scoring the same as our regular season fantasy league. Winner at the end of the Super Bowl wins $120.

So, for an extra $25 we have 3 additional contests which add a little more fun to the league.

 

[Legion of Doom]

If you don't have the superbowl week 17 play a pro bowl where all rostered players get points,winner take all.

Bump your leagues entry fee $5-$10 for it and you have a good way to keep teams active even if they're out of the playoffs.

 

[Glaven]

We hold sexy parties every 4 weeks. Everyone usually has a great time, and it causes us to hang out at least once a month when we otherwise wouldn't as some guys always find an excuse from hanging out. You can usually get a good deal on the women too if you pay for all 4 parties at the same time before the season even starts.

 

[RedBird33]

Both leagues that I am in are scattered across the US and there are guys I've known for 10 years through email but have never met... We're considering getting together in Vegas next year for the draft.

11 of 14 owners went to Vegas Week 1 for our 20th anniversary, it was a blast and I highly recommend it. We wanted to draft there but to maximize our gambling/drinking time we had the draft the week prior. It all worked out great IMO.As for league involvement I think it really depends on the group you have and how close they are. The league I speak of above are all buddies of mine from HS and even some from grade school, we have no problem buggin' and there's a comfort level that goes hand-in-hand with close friends. Other leagues I am in are not as active and owners don't chat or see each other as much. I think it's league dependent and more dependent on the people in the league.

That said a good league site with a chat room is a must for involvement. Message boards, ability to post polls and have some level of customization on the site also helps.

 

[GregS]

Our league has become more casual by the year. People lose games and lose interest.

So we started awarding achievements for reaching different goals. Some are performance-based. Most are not. You don't have to be a top 4 team to get a lot of achievements. Whoever gets most achievements at the end will be given some sort of tangible prize.

example achievements:

- Make a trade

- Start only NFC players

- Your bench outscores your starters

- Start 4 players on MNF

- Kicker scores 4 or more FG

We try to have enough achievements that there is always something to chase.

 

[da_budman]

Punt pass and kick contests really liven things up.

 

[Hugonel]

I liked a recent rule change in mine where the division wild card is determined by total points. Keeps it fun if you get unlucky enough to always play high-scoring opponents.

 

[Donsmith753]

League winner gets his choice of leaguemates wives.

 

[Zaphod]

League winner gets his choice of leaguemates wives.

I want to play in your league! If I win, I win and if I lose, well I still win.

 

[Football Critic]

We hold sexy parties every 4 weeks. Everyone usually has a great time, and it causes us to hang out at least once a month when we otherwise wouldn't as some guys always find an excuse from hanging out. You can usually get a good deal on the women too if you pay for all 4 parties at the same time before the season even starts.

I notice everyone uses kids and marriage as an excuse in my league, its easy and hard to dispute, but the hardcores no better.My biggest league was fun for the longest time, but its full of a lot of inactive panzees. No one trades cuz of lack of knowledge and/or fear.I then set up a league with the same scoring, but made mandatory 1 trade a year before the deadline, and at least 1 ww claim every 2 weeks, seeing as how bye weeks happen its not that big of a deal, but forces people to check in and communicate with other league members, if you fail to do so a hefty fine, u can always find people to take leagues over, and it will increase activity.Im one for making leagues to win money, not make leagues to make friends. I have enough friends, dont need friends to cloud my fantasy judgment.so simple force people to be active, if not, get the heck out....no exceptions, if your in my league u are hardcore 24/7 if not, buhbye. I can find at least 9 hardcores like me, and have.

 

[Godsbrother]

Twice a season (usually after week 4 and week 8) we have a midseason meeting. At these meetings all teams are required to drop three players from their rosters of 18. Then we have a three round supplemental draft where you draw from the dropped players as well as any available free agent.

Normally the guys dropped are kickers, extra defenses & TEs, backup RBs & WRs but it is still kinda fun and we usually have the meeting before a Monday, Sunday or Thursday night game so everyone sticks around. We also make all trades at the meeting exempt from transaction fees so guys are talking trades throughout the night.

We've been doing this since 1995 and everyone seems to like it.

 

[Football Critic]

Twice a season (usually after week 4 and week 8) we have a midseason meeting. At these meetings all teams are required to drop three players from their rosters of 18. Then we have a three round supplemental draft where you draw from the dropped players as well as any available free agent.Normally the guys dropped are kickers, extra defenses & TEs, backup RBs & WRs but it is still kinda fun and we usually have the meeting before a Monday, Sunday or Thursday night game so everyone sticks around. We also make all trades at the meeting exempt from transaction fees so guys are talking trades throughout the night.We've been doing this since 1995 and everyone seems to like it.

Great Idea, but most guys in my league wont be allowed out, they are lucky to be allowed to go to the draft. true story!Want a great league, get a league of single guys!

 

[Touchdown Syndrome]

These are all good ideas, but nothing is better than getting together in person. If you can watch games together, great. But even if you can see each other on other nights (poker, whatever) and talk about the league, it becomes more fun.Nothing is better than face-to-face interaction. In some leagues, if you get more than two owners in the same room it becomes a league meeting/analysis session. That's what you want. I know it's not always possible, but I don't think you can get it on e-mail or the Internet. Do whatever you can to get as much of the league as possible together in person.

Agree 100%.As often as I can (which isn't as often as I'd like because most in my league are married) I like to get together w/a few leaguemates on Sunday. Either at someone's house or a sports bar or something. Always fun and helps pump the guys up with the smack and competition.As commissioner, I used to do a weekly preview on Fridays, with a few hiLAAAARious words about each matchup on the league home page. These days I find myself too busy/lazy to regularly do that.

 

[GoBears84]

I send out a weekly matchup sheet for both of my 12 team leagues. It just shows who is playing who, what their current record is, what their power rank is (per MFL), what their historical H2H record is and the score the last time the two teams played. I also pick one game a week per league to be "the game of the week" and write a few corney lines about both teams to help get the trash talk started. I miss a week or two here and there when I am busy with other stuff but it's no big deal.Typically there is a lot of trash talking started by this email, lots of why isn't my team in the game of the week.Here is a sample

Week 3****Game of the Week****#3 K-Funk Voodoo (1-1) vs. #2 Wardogs (1-1)Series:  Wardogs lead 5-3Last meeting:  Wardogs 39.3 - 34.43Holy mirror image Batman! These teams both opened the season with 80 points and a win followed up by solid week 2 performances that ended up in a loss. Both have a Manning at QB! Not only are they #2 and #3 in the Power Rank but they are 2nd and 3rd in scoring. This week the mirror will break for someone. Who will it be?

This is gold. Just putting in the series match-ups (easy to find in MFL) makes it more interesting. We'll see how it plays...

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

These are all good ideas, but nothing is better than getting together in person. If you can watch games together, great. But even if you can see each other on other nights (poker, whatever) and talk about the league, it becomes more fun.Nothing is better than face-to-face interaction. In some leagues, if you get more than two owners in the same room it becomes a league meeting/analysis session. That's what you want. I know it's not always possible, but I don't think you can get it on e-mail or the Internet. Do whatever you can to get as much of the league as possible together in person.

Both leagues that I am in are scattered across the US and there are guys I've known for 10 years through email but have never met... We're considering getting together in Vegas next year for the draft.

I don't know you or your league, but I can essentially guarantee that as great as the league is today, it will be 10 X more fun after that Vegas get-together. It will bring everyone closer and I bet it won't take 10 more years to do it again. As we become more "distant" in our daily communications, that face-to-face time means even more. You'll see less turnover, more trades and more e-mail interaction. It will just improve everything, even if it's already going well.Hope you do that trip. Push for it.

 

[SWC]

In our league we do fun things like have parties and occassionally even a doughnut making party while we watch the games where we all make our own spicy flavored frostings and styles of doughnuts and sometimes decorate them like our favorite players or cars. It's pretty fun and really spices the league up.

 

[Wrigley]

We gamble on each weeks games.

$25 bucks a guy each week

All monies collected at the end of the year.

 

[MarcO]

In our league we do fun things like have parties and occassionally even a doughnut making party while we watch the games where we all make our own spicy flavored frostings and styles of doughnuts and sometimes decorate them like our favorite players or cars. It's pretty fun and really spices the league up.

sweet. What happens to the holes?

 

[Glaven]

In our league we do fun things like have parties and occassionally even a doughnut making party while we watch the games where we all make our own spicy flavored frostings and styles of doughnuts and sometimes decorate them like our favorite players or cars. It's pretty fun and really spices the league up.

sweet. What happens to the holes?

They're filled in from the backside.

 

[the moops]

You guys ever see that commercial where the nerds make fun of the jocks who are talking about WHIP?

 

[Topes]

You guys ever see that commercial where the nerds make fun of the jocks who are talking about WHIP?

 

[SWC]

In our league we do fun things like have parties and occassionally even a doughnut making party while we watch the games where we all make our own spicy flavored frostings and styles of doughnuts and sometimes decorate them like our favorite players or cars. It's pretty fun and really spices the league up.

sweet. What happens to the holes?

They are normally decorated like any of the following: 1.) team helmets (requires some trimming of the hole piece), 2.) various sports balls, such as baseballs, bowling balls, or basketballs, and 3.) occassionally we just eat them without any decoration if we are feeling crazy.

 

[Clifford]

These are all good ideas, but nothing is better than getting together in person. If you can watch games together, great. But even if you can see each other on other nights (poker, whatever) and talk about the league, it becomes more fun.Nothing is better than face-to-face interaction. In some leagues, if you get more than two owners in the same room it becomes a league meeting/analysis session. That's what you want. I know it's not always possible, but I don't think you can get it on e-mail or the Internet. Do whatever you can to get as much of the league as possible together in person.

We held our draft in Vegas this year. That was, well, too much fun.