When Owners Don't Pay FF League Dues (1 Viewer)

[just_want_2_win]

I am a commish of a league of 12 teams. About 2/3 of the owners know me but the rest don't and are from around the country (to fill remaining slots that opened up last minute). Ten of the 12 teams have paid their league dues but it doesn't appear that the last 2 hold outs ever will. One of those 2 teams has the league's best record.

I have sent a few reminders by email to them during the first 4 weeks and an overall midweek reminders thread in the league's forum this week.

Any input from other commishes as to how I should handle this?

 

[Lehigh98]

I am a commish of a league of 12 teams. About 2/3 of the owners know me but the rest don't and are from around the country (to fill remaining slots that opened up last minute). Ten of the 12 teams have paid their league dues but it doesn't appear that the last 2 hold outs ever will. One of those 2 teams has the league's best record. I have sent a few reminders by email to them during the first 4 weeks and an overall midweek reminders thread in the league's forum this week. Any input from other commishes as to how I should handle this?

They don't get to draft.

 

[Pnishthm]

I am a commish of a league of 12 teams. About 2/3 of the owners know me but the rest don't and are from around the country (to fill remaining slots that opened up last minute). Ten of the 12 teams have paid their league dues but it doesn't appear that the last 2 hold outs ever will. One of those 2 teams has the league's best record. I have sent a few reminders by email to them during the first 4 weeks and an overall midweek reminders thread in the league's forum this week. Any input from other commishes as to how I should handle this?

I started this a few years ago...league fees are due by the time of the draft. If you do not have your fees paid by then you are not allowed to make any transactions until they are paid. It has worked out pretty well.

 

[Pnishthm]

I am a commish of a league of 12 teams. About 2/3 of the owners know me but the rest don't and are from around the country (to fill remaining slots that opened up last minute). Ten of the 12 teams have paid their league dues but it doesn't appear that the last 2 hold outs ever will. One of those 2 teams has the league's best record. I have sent a few reminders by email to them during the first 4 weeks and an overall midweek reminders thread in the league's forum this week. Any input from other commishes as to how I should handle this?

They don't get to draft.

That normally never works because if a few owners aren't paid by draft time you may not always be able to get replacements on zero days notice.

 

[BigDave]

As commish, prohibit their transactions until you get their check.

It's week 7, so no excuses not to have sent it in by now.

If they don't, they are not eligible for the playoffs and no winnings$$.

 

[Crusaderfan]

As soon as you let a team draft without paying their dues - you are asking for trouble. To me, it doesn't matter if it is friends or an internet league with people you've never met. Too many things can happen after the draft that could make it hard to get their dues. I , personally would not go there. Set a due date of about a week before the draft. If their money isn't in - you have a week to replace them.

 

[dagwood]

At this point, your best remedy is

1. No transactions until paid

2. No playoffs until paid

3. Obviously no payouts until paid.

4. Kickout of league for next year.

 

[Ruffrodys05]

At this point, your best remedy is1. No transactions until paid2. No playoffs until paid3. Obviously no payouts until paid.4. Kickout of league for next year.

Agree totally with this assessment. Cut off transactions - but warn those that haven't paid that it will occur on a set date. You can't just turn off their options without giving them a heads-up, even if it is just a couple of days. It's now Friday and they will be checking in to make sure their line-up is set. They will see the warning and get you the money if they want to continue to have waiver options. Also warn them that if they don't pay and manage to still make the playoffs without any more transactions that they will be excluded from the playoffs and the next team in line will get bumped up if they do not pay. Warn them of all the consequences they will incur if they do not pay - then absolutely follow through with those threats.My main league requires new dues to be paid at the end of the previous year. We collect next years money before giving out cash prizes for the year just completed. If someone cannot pay their dues, they get fined a set amount each month until it is paid. If it is not paid prior to one week before the draft, we call an individual on our waiting list. We haven't had to do this ever, but a waiting list is great when an owner has to leave the league for any other reason also. We are never lacking for new owners. Also, knowing we have a waiting list and no lack of new blood gives late payers an incentive to get their money in.In addition, my league has a Treasurer. He is not the Commissioner (that's me.) My treasurer has been in that position since the league began. His only job is to handle all the leagues money issues. He pays for whatever website we use. He collects all fees (dues, transactions, fines) and he awards the cash prizes. He also handles the trophy engraving. He makes sure our coffers are never unbalanced. It takes a huge load off of my back so I can focus my energies on the secretarial duties and general league harmony. Also, my treasurer is a ball-buster and is relentless when going after money. It is his job and he is awesome at it.Rody

 

[wudaben]

Starting week 3 we dock 20 points from your team each week until we get paid. Never had an instance where we've actually had to dock the 20 points but it's always the same guys each year that pay right at the deadline.

 

[footballnerd]

Lock em up. No line up changes or transactions until paid.

 

[GreatLakesMike]

I am a commish of a league of 12 teams. About 2/3 of the owners know me but the rest don't and are from around the country (to fill remaining slots that opened up last minute). Ten of the 12 teams have paid their league dues but it doesn't appear that the last 2 hold outs ever will. One of those 2 teams has the league's best record. I have sent a few reminders by email to them during the first 4 weeks and an overall midweek reminders thread in the league's forum this week. Any input from other commishes as to how I should handle this?

They don't get to draft.

That normally never works because if a few owners aren't paid by draft time you may not always be able to get replacements on zero days notice.

That's why you make the payment deadline one month before the draft.

 

[GreatLakesMike]

At this point, your best remedy is1. No transactions until paid2. No playoffs until paid3. Obviously no payouts until paid.4. Kickout of league for next year.

 

[whitem0nkey]

in future have a rule change that all league fees are due 2 weeks before the draft, if the deadline passes and they have not paid they will be replaced.

 

[theplayer11]

locking them out might work if they are in the play off hunt...if they are not, that would be their excuse to quit and never pay.

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

Goons. Hired goons.

 

[NoCheese]

What about an owner who hasn't paid, doesn't really care about his team, and has a bad record? Locking his team, or his ability to make transactions may work if he has an incentive to win the league, but if an owner's record is 1-5 and he hasn't paid that would be an empty threat.

 

[yellowdog]

At this point, your best remedy is1. No transactions until paid2. No playoffs until paid3. Obviously no payouts until paid.4. Kickout of league for next year.

 

[Spike]

I'm in a redraft as a co-owner with a friend of mine (a money league) with a bunch of guys who he knows (or worked with).

There are a couple of guys who refused to pay on time. Every year. They would wait until after the season and the commish would have to always hunt them down. It was a pain in the neck for him.

People suggested options like others have put in here - not letting them draft and not letting them make transactions being the most prominent. The second option would not have worked for a few of these as they NEVER make transactions.

I came up with what ended up being implemented.

For each week an owner has not paid, the player who is the highest scorer on the team for that week has his points nilled out.

It has worked out VERY well. (The first season, one owner thought we would not go ahead with it and he learned otherwise.)

 

[Mr. Know-It-All]

In our league, dues are paid up front. There are always a few deadbeats. So we set deadline of Week 4. If full payment is not recieved by Week 4, the team gets an illegal lineup until they are paid in full. If they adandon the team, the commish sets a lineup (lineup is frozen essentially but available bench players are inserted for bye week players - injuries etc) and the schedule is played out with the "ghost" team. That "ghost" team is not eligible for playoffs or payouts. The owner that abandoned is not invited back.

 

[Tybeeman]

At this point, your best remedy is1. No transactions until paid2. No playoffs until paid3. Obviously no payouts until paid4. Deliver an Upper decker in his bathroom5. Kickout of league for next year.

Fixed

 

[az_prof]

I am a commish of a league of 12 teams. About 2/3 of the owners know me but the rest don't and are from around the country (to fill remaining slots that opened up last minute). Ten of the 12 teams have paid their league dues but it doesn't appear that the last 2 hold outs ever will. One of those 2 teams has the league's best record. I have sent a few reminders by email to them during the first 4 weeks and an overall midweek reminders thread in the league's forum this week. Any input from other commishes as to how I should handle this?

They don't get to draft.

That normally never works because if a few owners aren't paid by draft time you may not always be able to get replacements on zero days notice.

Then you as Commish make the picks for the unfilled spot. Then try to find someone to take the team. If you don't, then you play with 11 teams. You can't let people draft who haven't paid. It's that simple

 

[footballnerd]

locking them out might work if they are in the play off hunt...if they are not, that would be their excuse to quit and never pay.

this is true, but usually leagues get their money squared away in the beginning, so locking them up starting week 2 def works. def very late in the season to still be dealing with fees.I think if its a 1-5 team who lost all hope you may not be able to get much out of him, and he may be detrimental to the league because he may quit trying. Kick him now, and see if you can bring someone in willing to manage the team free of charge.

 

[coachbobbyfinstock]

As soon as you let a team draft without paying their dues - you are asking for trouble. To me, it doesn't matter if it is friends or an internet league with people you've never met. Too many things can happen after the draft that could make it hard to get their dues. I , personally would not go there. Set a due date of about a week before the draft. If their money isn't in - you have a week to replace them.

Couldn't agree with this more. It is a tough spot bc you want to have a league, so you will invite anyone in possible. As a FF commish I have allowed teams in plenty of times without paying. I have always handled non-payment by not allowing transactions of any kind. Also, if the members of the league are all friends I have noticed that a league-wide emails with the names of all 'non-payers' also works. Next year, don't scramble to find people. I for one am always looking to get into leagues and would be happy to join next year. Do you take third party out of state checks?