Money league.... (1 Viewer)

[strykerpks]

I have a problem. I'm commissioner of a big money league with a waiting list. One of the original owners hasn't put up a competetive team ever (he drafted Manning then Culpepper in the 1st and 2nd rounds respectively last year, for example) Hes a complete guppy that doesn't make any transactions let alone get involved in week to week activities like submitting a lineup. We'll call him Mike. Some of the owners in our league want Mike out for the simple reason that he doesn't compete. Our league prides itself on parity and even some owners in his division don't want to deal with it.

However one of our former owners passed away from Muscular Dystrophy last summer, we'll call him Joe. Mike was one of the original friends that did everything for Joe (i.e. help him use the bathroom when we were out, help him bathe etc). Our league is dedicated to Joe's memory, including our trophy, the "Joe Schmoe Memorial Trophy". I'll get to the relevance of Joe's passing a bit later....

I sent an email this afternoon setting our draft date, time and location and finalizing other league details etc. Our league has had messages back and forth all offseason long and we have not heard one word from Mike. Another owner posts a follow up to my message today that he talked to Mike and that he still wants to be in the league. But he will be out of town on the day of our draft and wants to have someone else draft for him, that is not on our waiting list. I get a number of messages from owners that disagree with this, basically arguing that this new drafter is going to take over the team, among other arguments about Mike's reliability etc. They want a new owner to take over the franchise (first year of a keeper league)

I really don't know how to approach this. I don't want to alienate a friend but this league has become very serous as well. I know for a fact that the "Joe died and Mike helped him alot" card is going to come out from certain owners. I agree that Mike should not be in our league based on the fact that he hasn't tried to improve his team in years and hasn't finished higher than 10th of 12 in the past 7 years. But at the same time, he is a good friend...of all of ours and was implemental in helping Joe in the final years of his life (but we all were too). I know I showed my bias in my description of the situation but I honestly have no idea how to go forward with this. How selfish are some owners (or myself for that matter) being here? How big of a "Richard" can I be?

 

[PahtyTom]

You need the whole league's input on a situation like this.

 

[strykerpks]

You need the whole league's input on a situation like this.

Honestly it's split down the middle....

 

[PahtyTom]

What about talking to Mike about it and letting him know about EVERYTHING?

 

[shake zula]

Ask my to co-own a team w/ someone else, maybe someone a little more knowledgable. OR you can expand the league..not sure if you are at 12 but you can go to 14 or 16 and get the people from the WLT onboard.

 

[strykerpks]

What about talking to Mike about it and letting him know about EVERYTHING?

I hear you...believe me, I do. Maybe I'm just overanalyzing things because of the things that were said to me (both email and personally...I got 3 phone calls about it) I just don't want a successful and friendly league to have problems because of a difference of opinion about who should and shouldn't be in the league

 

[strykerpks]

Ask my to co-own a team w/ someone else, maybe someone a little more knowledgable. OR you can expand the league..not sure if you are at 12 but you can go to 14 or 16 and get the people from the WLT onboard.

I tried that 3 years ago. 11 of 12 owners don't want to go to a bigger league. I asked about co-owners earlier this summer (specifically because of grumblings about Mikes involvment) and no one said anything about it...Ill probably bring it up again tomorrow.I'm not trying to make excuses here...just telling you what I have to work with.

 

[PahtyTom]

What about talking to Mike about it and letting him know about EVERYTHING?

I hear you...believe me, I do. Maybe I'm just overanalyzing things because of the things that were said to me (both email and personally...I got 3 phone calls about it) I just don't want a successful and friendly league to have problems because of a difference of opinion about who should and shouldn't be in the league

I've been in a similar situation as commish, but not as serious as with a league-mate dying and so forth. We all got together and talked and pretty much told the other guy what we all thought. We made it clear that it wasn't personal or anything etc. He told us how much he loved being in the league and he has actually ended up being much better the last few years since it happened.

 

[strykerpks]

What about talking to Mike about it and letting him know about EVERYTHING?

I hear you...believe me, I do. Maybe I'm just overanalyzing things because of the things that were said to me (both email and personally...I got 3 phone calls about it) I just don't want a successful and friendly league to have problems because of a difference of opinion about who should and shouldn't be in the league

I've been in a similar situation as commish, but not as serious as with a league-mate dying and so forth. We all got together and talked and pretty much told the other guy what we all thought. We made it clear that it wasn't personal or anything etc. He told us how much he loved being in the league and he has actually ended up being much better the last few years since it happened.

Before I posted here, my first thought was to call him up and talk to him one on one about this, but I have not been able to talk to him since February....via email and phone calls...he just doesn't respond. If I can get his word that he'll be "active" should that be enough for the rest of the owners? I'd like to keep him in the league because he is a good friend but will that be enough for the other owners who basically told me to drop him? I guess after my first post, that is the dilemma I'm running into right now

 

[the rover]

what exactly is "big money"?

 

[Mario Kart]

Friends before Money. Remember that when your league makes a decision.

If you have people on a waiting list... start up a new league with those people thus taking Mike out of the equation... however if the initial league mysteriously folds soon after this one starts up that would be a shame to all involved.

Some of your league mates sounds like a bunch of high school girls who want to kick the unpopular person out of the clique. Friends before Money.

 

[strykerpks]

what exactly is "big money"?

Valid question. For some here it probably isn't "big money" but for us it is... $250 entry and $5 per transaction...we're all mid-20's in Wisconsin so its big money to us..FYI he's a doctor so money isn't an issue for him at all

 

[Mario Kart]

What about talking to Mike about it and letting him know about EVERYTHING?

I hear you...believe me, I do. Maybe I'm just overanalyzing things because of the things that were said to me (both email and personally...I got 3 phone calls about it) I just don't want a successful and friendly league to have problems because of a difference of opinion about who should and shouldn't be in the league

I've been in a similar situation as commish, but not as serious as with a league-mate dying and so forth. We all got together and talked and pretty much told the other guy what we all thought. We made it clear that it wasn't personal or anything etc. He told us how much he loved being in the league and he has actually ended up being much better the last few years since it happened.

Before I posted here, my first thought was to call him up and talk to him one on one about this, but I have not been able to talk to him since February....via email and phone calls...he just doesn't respond. If I can get his word that he'll be "active" should that be enough for the rest of the owners? I'd like to keep him in the league because he is a good friend but will that be enough for the other owners who basically told me to drop him? I guess after my first post, that is the dilemma I'm running into right now

Tell your friends to grow a pair and tell Mike their problems with him. Sounds like your friends are being quite childish when it comes to a fantasy football league. This league might be the only outside activity Mike does with friends, dont know for sure, yet some of you guys want to kick him out because he is a "guppy?" Draft night is one of the funnest nights for some people and something to remember his best friend who recently passed away is incorporated into this league and people want to kick him out.

 

[strykerpks]

Friends before Money. Remember that when your league makes a decision.

If you have people on a waiting list... start up a new league with those people thus taking Mike out of the equation... however if the initial league mysteriously folds soon after this one starts up that would be a shame to all involved.

Some of your league mates sounds like a bunch of high school girls who want to kick the unpopular person out of the clique. Friends before Money.

Exactly why I posted this in the first place. I don't want to ruin a friendship over fantasy. Did I just answer my own question there?

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

With regard for the new co-owner possibility and Mike's overall deficiencies, address it with him. My goodness, you guys are men, why is it so hard to just tell him? Instead, some of you are scheming behind close doors and such and/or talking behind his back? Sad.

This is your friend man, and I don't care how seriously you all take your league or if the stupid entry fee is a million dollars; how he handled Joe's ordeal tells you all you need to know. And I'm not lobbying for a pity pass here. What I am saying is that it speaks volumes for the man he is, period.

I assure you, you will look back at this with remorse should you find a way to remove him from your petty hobby. And for what? Because he is finishing at the bottom in a FF league? How dare he.

Most people should be so lucky to have a friend like that.

 

[strykerpks]

What about talking to Mike about it and letting him know about EVERYTHING?

I hear you...believe me, I do. Maybe I'm just overanalyzing things because of the things that were said to me (both email and personally...I got 3 phone calls about it) I just don't want a successful and friendly league to have problems because of a difference of opinion about who should and shouldn't be in the league

I've been in a similar situation as commish, but not as serious as with a league-mate dying and so forth. We all got together and talked and pretty much told the other guy what we all thought. We made it clear that it wasn't personal or anything etc. He told us how much he loved being in the league and he has actually ended up being much better the last few years since it happened.

Before I posted here, my first thought was to call him up and talk to him one on one about this, but I have not been able to talk to him since February....via email and phone calls...he just doesn't respond. If I can get his word that he'll be "active" should that be enough for the rest of the owners? I'd like to keep him in the league because he is a good friend but will that be enough for the other owners who basically told me to drop him? I guess after my first post, that is the dilemma I'm running into right now

Tell your friends to grow a pair and tell Mike their problems with him. Sounds like your friends are being quite childish when it comes to a fantasy football league. This league might be the only outside activity Mike does with friends, dont know for sure, yet some of you guys want to kick him out because he is a "guppy?" Draft night is one of the funnest nights for some people and something to remember his best friend who recently passed away is incorporated into this league and people want to kick him out.

We've all been upset about Joe's death. But in the grand scheme of things, its not entirely about that. We all helped him pee, crap, bathe etc. Its not like we're taking anything away from Mike because of this. I only mentioned it because I knew that certain people would bring it up, adding to my dilemma about how I should handle it.

 

[the rover]

what exactly is "big money"?

Valid question. For some here it probably isn't "big money" but for us it is... $250 entry and $5 per transaction...we're all mid-20's in Wisconsin so its big money to us..FYI he's a doctor so money isn't an issue for him at all

start a second league with the guys on the waiting list. play in both.

 

[strykerpks]

With regard for the new co-owner possibility and Mike's overall deficiencies, address it with him. My goodness, you guys are men, why is it so hard to just tell him? Instead, some of you are scheming behind close doors and such and/or talking talking behind his back? Sad.

This is your friend man, and I don't care how seriously you all take your league or if the stupid entry fee is a million dollars; how he handled Joe's ordeal speaks volumes about the man he is. And I'm not lobbying for a pity pass. What I am saying is that it speaks volumes for who he is, period.

I assure you, you will look back at this with remorse should you find a way to remove him from your petty hobby. And for what? Because he is finishing at the bottom in a FF league? How dare he.

Most people should be so lucky to have a friend like that.

I was looking for justification for booting a bad owner out of my league.

Words cannot describe how big an idiot I feel like right now after reading that.

 

[Armando]

With regard for the new co-owner possibility and Mike's overall deficiencies, address it with him. My goodness, you guys are men, why is it so hard to just tell him? Instead, some of you are scheming behind close doors and such and/or talking talking behind his back? Sad.

This is your friend man, and I don't care how seriously you all take your league or if the stupid entry fee is a million dollars; how he handled Joe's ordeal speaks volumes about the man he is. And I'm not lobbying for a pity pass. What I am saying is that it speaks volumes for who he is, period.

I assure you, you will look back at this with remorse should you find a way to remove him from your petty hobby. And for what? Because he is finishing at the bottom in a FF league? How dare he.

Most people should be so lucky to have a friend like that.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

With regard for the new co-owner possibility and Mike's overall deficiencies, address it with him. My goodness, you guys are men, why is it so hard to just tell him? Instead, some of you are scheming behind close doors and such and/or talking behind his back? Sad.This is your friend man, and I don't care how seriously you all take your league or if the stupid entry fee is a million dollars; how he handled Joe's ordeal tells you all you need to know. And I'm not lobbying for a pity pass here. What I am saying is that it speaks volumes for the man he is, period.I assure you, you will look back at this with remorse should you find a way to remove him from your petty hobby. And for what? Because he is finishing at the bottom in a FF league? How dare he.Most people should be so lucky to have a friend like that.

I was looking for justification for booting a bad owner out of my league.Words cannot describe how big an idiot I feel like right now after reading that.

I was going to add this (then deleted because it's not nearly as important), but when you tell him to get better, show him how. It really is quite easy, I've done it. Wait, the guy's a doctor right? Yeah, that should be real tough. You can explain the basics (FBG 101) to him in no time. It's actually pretty gratifying. He'll remember that you did. And I don't mean to get mushy here but what would Joe think of you all kicking Mike to the curb -- the guy that helped him out so much? OUT, of a league that now carries Joe's name on it -- see ya Mike. The irony there is just beyond belief. Lastly, for the babies in the back who have been probing you all off-season to do some dirty work, I would present them with that reality and see what they say. And quite frankly, if they still didn't "get it", they are more than free to go #### themselves, if you know what I mean.

 

[Pots]

With regard for the new co-owner possibility and Mike's overall deficiencies, address it with him. My goodness, you guys are men, why is it so hard to just tell him? Instead, some of you are scheming behind close doors and such and/or talking talking behind his back? Sad.

This is your friend man, and I don't care how seriously you all take your league or if the stupid entry fee is a million dollars; how he handled Joe's ordeal speaks volumes about the man he is. And I'm not lobbying for a pity pass. What I am saying is that it speaks volumes for who he is, period.

I assure you, you will look back at this with remorse should you find a way to remove him from your petty hobby. And for what? Because he is finishing at the bottom in a FF league? How dare he.

Most people should be so lucky to have a friend like that.

I was looking for justification for booting a bad owner out of my league.

Words cannot describe how big an idiot I feel like right now after reading that.

 

[Pictus Cat]

Some of your league mates sounds like a bunch of high school girls who want to kick the unpopular person out of the clique. Friends before Money.

Lastly, for the babies in the back who have been probing you all off-season to do some dirty work, I would present them with that reality and see what they say. And quite frankly, if they still didn't "get it", they are more than free to go #### themselves, if you know what I mean.

Sounds like Pots.

 

[Pictus Cat]

With regard for the new co-owner possibility and Mike's overall deficiencies, address it with him. My goodness, you guys are men, why is it so hard to just tell him? Instead, some of you are scheming behind close doors and such and/or talking behind his back? Sad.

This is your friend man, and I don't care how seriously you all take your league or if the stupid entry fee is a million dollars; how he handled Joe's ordeal tells you all you need to know. And I'm not lobbying for a pity pass here. What I am saying is that it speaks volumes for the man he is, period.

I assure you, you will look back at this with remorse should you find a way to remove him from your petty hobby. And for what? Because he is finishing at the bottom in a FF league? How dare he.

Most people should be so lucky to have a friend like that.

I was looking for justification for booting a bad owner out of my league.

Words cannot describe how big an idiot I feel like right now after reading that.

I was going to add this (then deleted because it's not nearly as important), but when you tell him to get better, show him how. It really is quite easy, I've done it. Wait, the guy's a doctor right? Yeah, that should be real tough. You can explain the basics (FBG 101) to him in no time. It's actually pretty gratifying. He'll remember that you did.

And I don't mean to get mushy here but what would Joe think of you all kicking Mike to the curb -- the guy that helped him out so much? OUT, of a league that now carries Joe's name on it -- see ya Mike. The irony there is just beyond belief.

Lastly, for the babies in the back who have been probing you all off-season to do some dirty work, I would present them with that reality and see what they say. And quite frankly, if they still didn't "get it", they are more than free to go #### themselves, if you know what I mean.

You could change some league rules.

1. Pay per loss

2. Penalties for playing players on ir or on a bye.

3. Prizes for high score of the week.

4. Penalties for low score of the week.

5. Last place last year penalty: buys first x amount of rounds

6. Fee for commish control of team for week lineup not submitted. Have a volunteer submit a lineup when he plays you.

Normally, I would say get enough money up front to cover the expected costs, but that doesn't seem necessary in your league with the collection of transaction fees and money not a issue.

As far as showing him, give him all you can. I giving a manager my draft sheet minus some of my personal and riskier guesses (hoping he doesn't share it with the other league guys.) I am also including some draft strategy for the early rounds and am open to answer any questions about players. In the end, the manager will be more competitive, but you can't change the fact that they will not put in the time to know players. Some years they might even get lucky.

Having someone draft for him suxor, but I would just let the owner that drafts right before him pick. Serpentine, this would alternate each round. Let the drafters know to pick the best player. If you don't think they can do that, ask the drafter two spots before the pick.

Friends are more important. It seems it would be a lot easier to discuss league rule changes to make the league more competitive than trying to discuss and change his habits.

 

[glumpy]

Good Stuff SLBD!

Friends before Money. Remember that when your league makes a decision.

If you have people on a waiting list... start up a new league with those people thus taking Mike out of the equation... however if the initial league mysteriously folds soon after this one starts up that would be a shame to all involved.

Some of your league mates sounds like a bunch of high school girls who want to kick the unpopular person out of the clique. Friends before Money.

Exactly why I posted this in the first place. I don't want to ruin a friendship over fantasy. Did I just answer my own question there?

Yes, I think you know now that you did. I was in a situation similar to this a few years ago. Remember that everyone gets something different from the game, and your friend might just appreciate the participation as much as others look for the competition. He pays his dues, and is a friend where it counts. If you give him some ideas which would make his team a little more competitive that works all around, it sounds like. As far as "not actively participating" enough during the offseason--or even inseason--if he's fielding a legal, hopefully competitive team that's really all you can 'require'. And as far as having a sub draft for him--well, this year I actually found myself in that position in one league and have had to drop out of another two leagues with monster scheduling conflicts--stuff happens, and sometimes we all just do whatever we can to keep some kind of part in the action.

 

[tomarken]

Before I posted here, my first thought was to call him up and talk to him one on one about this, but I have not been able to talk to him since February....via email and phone calls...he just doesn't respond. If I can get his word that he'll be "active" should that be enough for the rest of the owners? I'd like to keep him in the league because he is a good friend but will that be enough for the other owners who basically told me to drop him? I guess after my first post, that is the dilemma I'm running into right now

I don't want to be a "Richard" myself, and I agree with the other posters that your friendship should take precedence over a fantasy league. But does anyone else find this part odd? I mean, you paint this picture of this tight brotherhood, and how you don't want to get this guy out of the league because you're so close, yet you haven't talked to him since February? I'm just a little confused as to how good a friend this guy is.Didn't mean to be an ###, just curious...

In any case I think the best course of action would be to give this guy a crash course on fantasy, and try to help him be a better owner for the sake of the league. I'm sure he'd appreciate it and he would probably take much more enjoyment out of the league if he was doing a little better.

 

[Iceman66]

Friends come before money and FANTASY football. Sounds like a great guy, he pays his entry fee, leave him alone and enjoy the season

 

[flranger]

Before I posted here, my first thought was to call him up and talk to him one on one about this, but I have not been able to talk to him since February....via email and phone calls...he just doesn't respond. If I can get his word that he'll be "active" should that be enough for the rest of the owners? I'd like to keep him in the league because he is a good friend but will that be enough for the other owners who basically told me to drop him? I guess after my first post, that is the dilemma I'm running into right now

I don't want to be a "Richard" myself, and I agree with the other posters that your friendship should take precedence over a fantasy league. But does anyone else find this part odd? I mean, you paint this picture of this tight brotherhood, and how you don't want to get this guy out of the league because you're so close, yet you haven't talked to him since February? I'm just a little confused as to how good a friend this guy is.Didn't mean to be an ###, just curious...

In any case I think the best course of action would be to give this guy a crash course on fantasy, and try to help him be a better owner for the sake of the league. I'm sure he'd appreciate it and he would probably take much more enjoyment out of the league if he was doing a little better.

I'd talk to him. If he isn't excited about staying in the league then you owe it to the league to make a tough decision and replace him. Being commish includes making tough decisions.

 

[fsufan]

Do not ruin a friendship over FF

 

[fsufan]

what exactly is "big money"?

Valid question. For some here it probably isn't "big money" but for us it is... $250 entry and $5 per transaction...we're all mid-20's in Wisconsin so its big money to us..FYI he's a doctor so money isn't an issue for him at all

start a second league with the guys on the waiting list. play in both.

I have been a commish for 9 years now. Three years ago I started a 2nd league because I had 6 people on the waiting list for my main league.

 

[cws3030]

i haven't read all the replies above so please excuse me if i repeat. IMO i would talk to mike not about how the other owners want him out but about trying to be more on top of things like submitting his lineup and trying to get more involved and so forth.

the drafting isn't a problem since you know he's not involved in any collusion or something like that, he should be able to draft as he sees fit. i really think talking to him first is the way to go. he may not realize that there is a problem.

communication is the #1 key to all relationships.

 

[code]

Many other good comments here, but I will add:

You need to institute explicit rules about participation and commitment as well as specific rules on how an owner is removed and replaced...we have them in the league I commish and it has helped greatly to move aside deadbeat owners...we account for missing deadlines, failing to submit lineups, and not appearing in person for league events...this way everyone knows the expectations and understands if they don't meet these obligations why they were replaced...

 

[Pnishthm]

If the guys on the waiting list are friends as well, maybe you can put in a rule that the bottom two teams every year will have to sit out and go to the end of the waiting list. This way, two new guys can get in every year and you can all rotate. This rule will also keep the owners having a bad season motivated. Just a thought.

 

[redman]

What's more important, the money and competition or the friendship aspect? That should guide your answer.

 

[Meatwad]

Friends come before money and FANTASY football. Sounds like a great guy, he pays his entry fee, leave him alone and enjoy the season

Maybe you could help him be a better player. Some tips along the way couldn't hurt, take him under your wing. But kicking him out of the league is a huge Richard move. Don't be a Richard.

 

[george]

It's possible that because of the "Memorial" nature of the league, he feels oblibated to continue to participate. Feels he would be letting down your deceased friend if he dropped out, even though he would really rather not continue playing.

Wow. I think the "memorial" part of the league would make it tough for anyone that knew the guy to drop out.

Maybe ask hiim if he wants to have a co-owner from someone that he knows well on the list that also knew your friend.

Above all, Talk to him. You will regret it if you kick him out.

Also, it's always good to have one sure win on your schedule

 

[RabidRabbit]

What about talking to Mike about it and letting him know about EVERYTHING?

I hear you...believe me, I do. Maybe I'm just overanalyzing things because of the things that were said to me (both email and personally...I got 3 phone calls about it) I just don't want a successful and friendly league to have problems because of a difference of opinion about who should and shouldn't be in the league

I've been in a similar situation as commish, but not as serious as with a league-mate dying and so forth. We all got together and talked and pretty much told the other guy what we all thought. We made it clear that it wasn't personal or anything etc. He told us how much he loved being in the league and he has actually ended up being much better the last few years since it happened.

Before I posted here, my first thought was to call him up and talk to him one on one about this, but I have not been able to talk to him since February....via email and phone calls...he just doesn't respond. If I can get his word that he'll be "active" should that be enough for the rest of the owners? I'd like to keep him in the league because he is a good friend but will that be enough for the other owners who basically told me to drop him? I guess after my first post, that is the dilemma I'm running into right now

Tell your friends to grow a pair and tell Mike their problems with him. Sounds like your friends are being quite childish when it comes to a fantasy football league. This league might be the only outside activity Mike does with friends, dont know for sure, yet some of you guys want to kick him out because he is a "guppy?" Draft night is one of the funnest nights for some people and something to remember his best friend who recently passed away is incorporated into this league and people want to kick him out.

You (group) need to decide: is this a league for friends or is this a league for competitive environment. That said there is some blending of the two no doubt. But if Mike is not going to participate in the league other than just showing up and drafting poorly (something he's not even going to do this year), then I think you just have to cut him. Let him know that you have to be present for the draft. That's the rule. He's free to rejoin the league. (waiting list?). This isn't some poker room in Vegas. You can pull whoever you want into the league. It is a tough decision. One that I don't envy. But one that I had to do. I ended up cutting the owner and it worked out. The league is more competitive and more fun to part of. If there is not going to be a time committment from Mike then he's not really serious about the hobby. He can still hang out in other ways. Make him the beer bi%$# at the draft in coming years

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

I'll add my 2 cents here.

If you have a waiting list - form 2 leagues.

The Top 2-4 owners of the "B" league move to the "A", and vice versa, year over year.

Winners in A are exempt for a few years.

As for the issues with the owner, that's a tough one. Addressing big issues on a personal level transcend Fantasy Football, so August is not the right time to deal with it.

I've been in leagues where communications fell apart and you wonder more about the people than the league. That is usually the case.

In any event, do the best you can to run the league "as is" and reach out to your friend. Sorry for your / his / the league's loss, but plan now for NEXT year. Add the "B" league and have the winners move to "A". If Mike is a guppy he'll fall into the "B" league and likely not get back in "A" unless he improves. This would help both of your leagues.

Good luck. Never easy being commish.

 

[Warpig]

Friends before Money. Remember that when your league makes a decision. If you have people on a waiting list... start up a new league with those people thus taking Mike out of the equation... however if the initial league mysteriously folds soon after this one starts up that would be a shame to all involved.Some of your league mates sounds like a bunch of high school girls who want to kick the unpopular person out of the clique. Friends before Money.

Agreed. There's no way I could kick out one of my best friends from a league. Look at it this way; you keep Mike in the league because he is your friend and was devoted to your other friend that passed away...he's paid his dues. Also, you keep him around BECAUSE HE'S EASY MONEY!!! What's not to like about easy money? You could also, AS A FRIEND, offer him advice on transactions or trades. Since you are the commish you should be able to see all trade offers and if you see he could use some help from the waiver wire, then offer a suggestion to him. I'd try everything I could to make it work. If the other owners threaten to leave...well, you said there was a waiting list correct?

 

[massraider]

This close to the season, now is not the time to bounce a guy, especially a friend. After the season, if he isn't involved, tell him there's been complaints. It sounds like everyone wants to be in a league with competitive teams, that's a good thing. You maybe could have brought it up to him after last season, if you knew this was going to be an issue.

I think what I'd do:

Tell him the truth. Other owners aren't happy he's not participating. Maybe suggest a co-owner. Or tell him if he doesn't care for his team this season, you'll look for a different owner (in so many words).

 

[Swamprat]

Simple - You talk to Mike, and tell him everything you told us (minus the Joe part) and tell him that you really want him to be a part of the league, but it gets frustrating for 11 other people who take it really seriously to have someone just not participate.Send him a link to a competing fantasy website, tell him to sign up and read the email updates. Sorry Joe, I don\'t want my leaguemates here. Yeah, I\'m a ####.Tell him that you really think it\'s important that he shows he takes the league seriously this year, and you need to help show him that it doesn\'t really take that much time to be adequate. Heck, I may even print off some basic FBG articles and give them to him.Guy probably would appreciate the help and the honesty. I know I\'d feel ok about a friend doing that for me, but I\'d feel pretty crappy if they booted me without being straightforward first.

Definiately the first thing to do is talk to Mike. Explain to him how an owner who does not turn in lineups or turns in lineups with players that are on a bye hurts the league and it is not fair to the other owners who may be hoping he pulls out a win that week. Even if his lineup suxors, if he shows that he is trying to manage his team and put the best lineup he has in each week, I bet a lot of the grumbling stops.As far as him missing the draft, does he have a good reason for missing? We've had people who have had to miss the draft but sent a representative in his place. He sent his own rankings/cheatsheet and a basic strategy of how he wanted to draft. No one had a problem with it. If he is sending someone to represent him I think it should be a person of his choice, not necessarily the next person on the waiting list. You just need to make it clear to everyone that it does not mean this person is a co-owner or in anyway a member of the league.

 

[da_budman]

Simple - You talk to Mike, and tell him everything you told us (minus the Joe part) and tell him that you really want him to be a part of the league, but it gets frustrating for 11 other people who take it really seriously to have someone just not participate.Send him a link to a competing fantasy website, tell him to sign up and read the email updates. Sorry Joe, I don\'t want my leaguemates here. Yeah, I\'m a ####.Tell him that you really think it\'s important that he shows he takes the league seriously this year, and you need to help show him that it doesn\'t really take that much time to be adequate. Heck, I may even print off some basic FBG articles and give them to him.Guy probably would appreciate the help and the honesty. I know I\'d feel ok about a friend doing that for me, but I\'d feel pretty crappy if they booted me without being straightforward first.

Definiately the first thing to do is talk to Mike. Explain to him how an owner who does not turn in lineups or turns in lineups with players that are on a bye hurts the league and it is not fair to the other owners who may be hoping he pulls out a win that week. Even if his lineup suxors, if he shows that he is trying to manage his team and put the best lineup he has in each week, I bet a lot of the grumbling stops.As far as him missing the draft, does he have a good reason for missing? We've had people who have had to miss the draft but sent a representative in his place. He sent his own rankings/cheatsheet and a basic strategy of how he wanted to draft. No one had a problem with it. If he is sending someone to represent him I think it should be a person of his choice, not necessarily the next person on the waiting list. You just need to make it clear to everyone that it does not mean this person is a co-owner or in anyway a member of the league.

I dont understand what is so awful horrible about having 1 guppy in the league??????keep in mind also most of the people who come to these boards are fantasy football ADICTS..... we wouldnt read post after post of what other people think if we werent. any advice you get here must be seen in the light of that information....not everybody has the time to spend on a hobby as us adicts do .... the mans a doctor for heavens sake im sure he is quite busylet me say that again...HE IS A DOCTOR....saving lives and stuff ....he gest some enjoyment in playing ff and doesnt particularly care how he does problably doesnt have time for the in depth research us loser adicts do.give him a break what I would do ..... talk to him .... point him to GOOD cheatsheats so that he can draft well.... If he drafts well he will at least be semi competitive even without making moves throughout the year... Im betting he will NEVER rise to the level that you and I are in reguard to fantasy football but is that really such a horrible thing ??? after all .... did i mention he is a doctor??????