This could be the year
Footballguy
I'm in several FF leagues. Some are fairly old...been around for about 10 years.
What's the oldest league you guys have been in?
What's the oldest league you guys have been in?
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Life Span of a FF League (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter This could be the year
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This could be the year
Footballguy
Also, what is it that keeps a league from falling apart? Is it continuity at the commish spot? or something else
The Redbeard
Footballguy
We are in year 22. Started way back when you had to bring 18 self addressed stamped envelops to draft night and there was nothing better than waiting for the mailman to show up on Thursday to see who had won that week.
This could be the year
Footballguy
22 years...awesome...who can claim the oldest FF league?
jerry jones
Footballguy
My most fun league is in its 14th season, we are on our 4th commishioner.
We have a rules committee and are always adapting. We started as a simple
draft league and thru the years have ended up as a quasi-dynasty league with
player contracts, salary cap, rookie draft, free agency period.
The changes have kept the interest strong in the league.
We have a rules committee and are always adapting. We started as a simple
draft league and thru the years have ended up as a quasi-dynasty league with
player contracts, salary cap, rookie draft, free agency period.
The changes have kept the interest strong in the league.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
22nd year for my local redraft. We had a new member this year for the first time in about 10. 7 of the 12 franchises are original and 3 more have been in for 16-17 years. Most of the teams are multi-owner and because of owners splitting/switching, we have about 15 of the original 20 or so owners. We all used to work together, so it's a great way for us to keep in touch. I'm positive many of us would've fallen out of contact over the years.
Deranged Hermit
Not cool & Pissed
15 years for my main league. It's probably in it's last year though. 
The Redbeard
Footballguy
That's too bad. People outgrowing, or drama?
Asslete
Footballguy
Same group of guys since 1994. It's a beautiful thing. We all live in different parts of the country. But we have gotten together every year in Vegas for our draft. Through marriages, divorces, children, etc...we've grown from poor students piling four-in-a-room at the Rivieria to "doing well" professionals staying in their own suites at the Aria.
We've each accomplished a fair amount in our lives...but keeping this league together, in some strange way, ranks near the top.
We've each accomplished a fair amount in our lives...but keeping this league together, in some strange way, ranks near the top.
duaneok66
Footballguy
8th year for my only FF league (and its a dynasty) . . .
half the original lineup is gone, but we have two guys that really do a good job of managing the league and getting the right replacements . . .
owning a dynasty team is an awesome experience . . .
half the original lineup is gone, but we have two guys that really do a good job of managing the league and getting the right replacements . . .
owning a dynasty team is an awesome experience . . .
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Da Guru
Fair & Balanced
One league that has been together for 15 years folded this year.
League became way too stagnant... way too many rules. We actually had 3 pages of bylaws and you know how I hate big government. It took me three years to get yardage based scoring in. It was TD only for 7-8 seasons.
I now enjoy playing in leagues where you are not good friends with the other owners.
League became way too stagnant... way too many rules. We actually had 3 pages of bylaws and you know how I hate big government. It took me three years to get yardage based scoring in. It was TD only for 7-8 seasons.
I now enjoy playing in leagues where you are not good friends with the other owners.
Joe Sixpack
Footballguy
Our league has been going for about 15 years. The lowest scoring team each week has to pay $5 into the kitty and another $10 if you score under 50 points, that keeps everybody involved. The kitty is drinking money for next year's draft.
This could be the year
Footballguy
I like these responses...it's interesting to see what keeps a league going and thriving from year to year.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
We have an owner who used to bring his little kid (probably 5 or 6) to the draft - now the kid is half-owner with his dad and has kids of his own. I watched this kid grow up at our drafts, which may be kind of weird, but is also pretty cool as he turned into a really good guy.
Runningman
Footballguy
I think my main league is in its 18th year, and still going strong.
This could be the year
Footballguy
OK, so on the flip side, those of you that have been in leagues that have folded, what (in your opinion) caused the league to fold?
18th or 19th year on our league. However, I believe we have 3 left from the original 10. Just replaced 2 last year, other than that it's been the same 8 for like 5 years or so.
I remember having to pour through box scores every monday and hand write down the scores. We have been playing individual defensive players since the league inception as well as it being an auction league since day 1.
This year we switched to part auction/part snake draft and I believe everyone enjoyed it much more.
I remember having to pour through box scores every monday and hand write down the scores. We have been playing individual defensive players since the league inception as well as it being an auction league since day 1.
This year we switched to part auction/part snake draft and I believe everyone enjoyed it much more.
Eviloutsider
Footballguy
13th year for us. Two deaths so far in our group and most of the originals remain.
Val Rannous
Footballguy
It's our 22st year. Over the years we've had people drift out (and a few cases back in after they missed it). We've had 3 people put over 20 years in with the league, and lots with mid teen numbers.
I think our longevity is due to a focus on fun, not money. We're a keeper league, so you have both draft day fun and future planning involved, with rules to encourage as much trading as possible. And we're playing for bragging rights and a trophy only, so nobody gets bent out of shape over losing money.
Val
I think our longevity is due to a focus on fun, not money. We're a keeper league, so you have both draft day fun and future planning involved, with rules to encourage as much trading as possible. And we're playing for bragging rights and a trophy only, so nobody gets bent out of shape over losing money.
Val
glumpy
breeze
Mine's just the opposite--we're all real tight, and besides a number of the guys working together all of us get together for predraft party, draft party, and super bowl draft in addition to the draft party/weekend.
19 year league here, and I've been in for 16. Most of the original owners still involved. My son has gone with me to several events since he was about 5 (now 17).
cobalt_27
Footballguy
This is Year 23 for us. Started up in '88 after the strike.Key is to have a core group of lifers and add in extensions from that core to keep it fresh, imo.
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ChargerPride
Footballguy
We have had our league since 1989, so 21 years. It was started while we were in high school. Its always been a TD league where we keep 6 players every year.
Deranged Hermit
Not cool & Pissed
Pretty much this:That's too bad. People outgrowing, or drama?15 years for my main league. It's probably in it's last year though.
footballnerd
Footballguy
10th year 14 team keeper league, owners sometimes come and go due to the mandatory attendance on draft day but there are 12 originals that have been there from the beginning. If someone can't make it we take in the next person waiting and if there's multiple owners applying we have a mini combine involving some simple sports skills and beer. Pretty fun. Getting your name on that trophy and taking it home for bragging rights keeps people coming back.
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
I am in one league that is in its 21st year and another that is in its 23rd or so. I have been in the former for 10 years and the latter for 5.In both cases they were started by a group of friends while they were in high school, and most of those friends have stayed in it for the long haul. They have found knowledgeable replacements, such as myself, when needed. It's really all about the people. You need either a group that has known each other for a while and gets along really well, or a group that is knowledgeable about FF and takes it seriously. Preferably both.
My main league is in I believe it's 29th year, i'm in my 8th or 9th year in it as I got in when I was 17. Best friends dad and a bunch of his friends started it and still 3 original members. Commish change finally happened this year to my best friend as he has more time for it then the previous commish, but still going strong.
The Man With No Name
Footballguy
18 years. Some originals are left and 8 of the 12 have been in it 13+ years
fightingillini
Footballguy
My main league is in it's 13th year. 5 of the 10 teams are originals, I joined in year 2. Same guys since 2006.
fightingillini
Footballguy
I was in one league that folded because the commish wanted to lower the number of leagues he was in and stopped commishing......no one wanted to step up, so it folded. Wasn't a big concernt to me, since I was trying to do the same.....limit my leagues to 3 not including contests.
Atomic Punk
Footballguy
Great thread. 
I've been in the same league for 20 years, but I was a "newbie" back in 1990, but I know it had been going on a for a fe eyars before that. The league has evoleved over the years, bu there are still a handful of the "orginal" members still around.
Things sure have changed though. I recall the days where I bought the USA Today on Mondaty morning, which was one of the only papers that included defensive stats, and throwing away the entire paper except for the sports section. Good times!
I honestly can't imagine it ever ending. I envision us still getting together when we are old men ... although, my sons would say I'm already there!
I've been in the same league for 20 years, but I was a "newbie" back in 1990, but I know it had been going on a for a fe eyars before that. The league has evoleved over the years, bu there are still a handful of the "orginal" members still around.
Things sure have changed though. I recall the days where I bought the USA Today on Mondaty morning, which was one of the only papers that included defensive stats, and throwing away the entire paper except for the sports section. Good times!
I honestly can't imagine it ever ending. I envision us still getting together when we are old men ... although, my sons would say I'm already there!
Captain Hook
Footballguy
I am/have been in some that have been going for 20+ yearsWhile a strong commish is very important, so is a good group of guys/gals that really enjoy FF - and each other.What may impact the lifespan of many leagues is when they were started - iow how old were the members when the league was formed? It has been my experience that if the leagues were formed while most were young (still in college or just out) they will have a harder time surviving for a long time Unless everyone is in the same town/city. As people start to get older and have changes in work/family/etc it becomes harded for many to stay involved in the league.
Previous league lasted from 5 years from 2002-2006 and fell apart because when we switched it to a keeper league in 2005 we didn't outline the rules clearly enough and there were so many things that came up and had to be voted on and we couldn't agree on things.
So we restarted the league with a complete new set of rules outlined clearly, dropped 3 people from the old league who weren't considered... hardcore/shark-like enough... if you know what I mean... just casual fans, and we've had it going 4 years now.
needs for a longlasting league
- good commish
- well defined rules
- owners who are really into FF, not just some casual fan who was begged to join the league, there should be a damn waiting list to get in the league
- local/friends I would guess. can't imagine online-only leagues with people who don't know each other lasting for a long time.
So we restarted the league with a complete new set of rules outlined clearly, dropped 3 people from the old league who weren't considered... hardcore/shark-like enough... if you know what I mean... just casual fans, and we've had it going 4 years now.
needs for a longlasting league
- good commish
- well defined rules
- owners who are really into FF, not just some casual fan who was begged to join the league, there should be a damn waiting list to get in the league
- local/friends I would guess. can't imagine online-only leagues with people who don't know each other lasting for a long time.
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This could be the year
Footballguy
As a Commish/Treasurer, I think one of the things that kills a league is owners that are "slow pays" when it comes to league dues. I mean owners that need continuous reminder emails about dues owed. Eventually, they pay, but it's like pulling teeth. I have a couple of those in one league and it makes me want to resign from the league. If I do resign, I think the league may fall apart, because all the owners are located all over the country.
Oh well, just me doing some #####ing....
Oh well, just me doing some #####ing....
roadkill1292
Footballguy
A thought provoking thread and one that had me stumped for an answer. We're in our 19th year now with six of the original 12 left but we're not a particularly close bunch of guys. Then I saw this post and thought that maybe you had hit on it -- we've been auction since Day 1. Managing your salaries from year to year keeps it a never-ending puzzle to figure out and Auction Day is the best day of the year for most of us.jcuadrado said:
Been doing this since around 92, so 18-19 years or so. It used to be a TD only league scored out of the USA Today each week. Once the internet came along, we moved to performance scoring. Same basic group of guys for most of that time, but we've added and dropped some guys along the way. We probably started with a 6-8 team league, but this year it's 11 teams, and most years it's been between 10-12.
