***2008 rules meeting changes in bold***
INTRODUCTION
Zealots Field Leagues (ZFL) are dynasty leagues. Founded in 2003 by Oscar Knight, Zealots Field is designed to reward the fantasy football zealot by incorporating some of the best rules in the world of fantasy. NFL-size rosters, offensive and defensive players, extensive scoring, unlimited trading and free agency periods and zealous owners combine for the ultimate fantasy football experience. Zealots Field will always be a non-payout league, so the only price for joining ZFL is a small administrative fee* and blood, sweat and tears – the only reward is the right to be called the best of the best - Master Zealot.
I. TEAM IDENTITIES
Team names will be selected from a pool of existing NFL team names. ZFL team images, sounds and other identifying team characteristics should be consistent with their NFL counterpart.
II. ROSTERS
A. Rosters may consist of any combination of players. Rosters are limited to 53 players.
B. Rosters may be expanded to 60 players from the start of the annual rookie draft until three days following the final NFL preseason game of the year. Rosters must be reduced to 53 players at midnight of the 3rd day. The additional seven players during this period of time are not limited to rookie players.
C. Each year, thirteen players will be designated for free agency – seven restricted free agents, six unrestricted free agents, allowing for 40 fully protected players.
III. STARTING LINEUPS
A. Each ZFL team must consist of the following starting lineup during each week of the season:
1 QB (1 backup QB, designated on the message board, or MFL)
2 RB
2 WR
1 TE
1 O-Flex (RB/WR)
1 O-Flex (WR/TE)
1 PK
2 DL
2 LB
2 DB
2 DFX (defensive flex may be a DL, LB or DB, but no position have more than 3 starters)
B. If no lineup is submitted by a team, their previous week’s lineup will be used.
C. Should an owner fail to submit a starting lineup for two weeks in a row, the commissioner shall warn the owner that his status as an owner is in jeopardy. If the owner fails to respond and/or a starting lineup fails to be posted for the third week, the commissioner shall call for a vote to remove the owner from the ZFL.
D. Position eligibility -- MFL.com is the official position source to be used in case of dispute between NFL.com and MFL.com.
IV. SCORING
All Players
Touchdowns (including Passing, Rushing, Receiving, interceptions, fumble recovery, special teams - blocked FG, punt, Missed FG): 6 pts
2-pt Conversion (Passing, Rushing, Receiving): 2 pts
Each Rushing or Receiving Yard: 0.1 pts
Each Passing Yard: 0.04 pts
Each Interception: -2 pts
Fumbles (lost to Opponent): -2 pts
Field Goal Made (30 yards or less): 3 pts
Field Goal Made (greater than 30 yards): 3pts plus .1 point for every yard over 30 yards
Extra Point Made: 1 pt
Safety: 4 pts
Interceptions: 3 pts
Fumble Recoveries (from Opponent): 2 pts
Forced Fumble: 2 pts
Sack: 3 pt (1/2 sack = 1.5 pt)
Tackles: 1 pt
Assists: .5 pt
Blocked Punt/FG: 3 pts
Blocked Punt/FG for yards: .1 pt
Blocked Extra Point: 1 pt
Passes Defended: 1 pt
Kick Return Yard or Missed Field Goal Return : .025 pt
Punt Return Yard: .05 pt
Interception or Offensive or Defensive Fumble Return Yard: .1 pt
If a player finishes a game with negative yards in any yardage-based category, the player is awarded a proportionate total of negative points for that category.
NEW SECTION
1. Weekly scoring changes will be processed only in the following cases:
A. If MFL provides automated functionality for processing weekly scoring changes, the MFL site will be programmed to automatically process scoring changes for the previous NFL week on Thursday at 2:00:00PM ET. If no event will scoring changes for NFL weeks preceding the most recent week be processed.
B. If MFL does not provide automated functionality for processing scoring changes, weekly scoring changes will be processed only if an owner makes a post on the league message board by Thursday at 2:00:00PM ET requesting that the scoring changes for the previous NFL week be processed. In no event will scoring changes for NFL weeks preceding the most recent week be processed.
2. Zbucks will be re-allocated to reflect any allocation changes resulting from the processing of the scoring changes. Waiver requests will not be re-processed.
V. BACKUP QUARTERBACK SCORING
A. Every team may submit a backup QB during each week of the season. The owner must post the name of their Backup QB for the week on the message board or a designated area of the league's MFL site. The points for this backup QB may be used in the event that the team's starting QB leaves the game for any reason.
Any points scored by a backup QB will be added to the team's score by the commissioner.
It is the owners’ responsibility to notify the commissioner in the event that a B/U QB is called upon to enter a game and he would like those points added to his score for that week. In addition, the owner of the opposing team may notify the commissioner that he would like his opponents B\U QB points be added to his opponents score for that week. The owner (or opposing owner) must compute his (his opponents) BU QB points, using NFL.COM, and post in a thread provided on the message boards he would like the commissioner to adjust his (or his opponents) score for the week and post the points total as calculated by him no later then Weds., 12:00.01 AM (EST). The commissioner will then check the point total calculation, post any discrepancies found, and adjust the score for that week. If no post is made by the deadline, the B\U QB’s points will not be used for that week.
The points are calculated as follows: If the owner designates a backup QB which is the actual NFL backup of their starting QB, in the event that the backup enters the game, the points will begin immediately. However, should the owner designate another starting NFL QB as their starter's backup, that QB's points would only be counted for the quarter following the quarter in which the QB left the game. In the event the backup QB is the actual NFL backup and the starting QB returns to the game, both QB's score points for all quarters played. In the event the backup QB is a QB on another NFL team, and the starting QB returns to the game, the backup QB will not score points for that quarter. You score points for your starting QB for any quarter in which he plays, and the backup QB for any quarter in which the starting QB does not play.
VI. TIE-BREAKERS
A. Game ties stand in the regular season.
B. End of Season Tiebreakers - The following is the tie-breaking scheme should two or more teams have identical records at the end of the season :
1. Overall winning %
2. Head to Head Winning %
3. Division Winning % (If in same division)
4. Conference Winning % (If in same conference)
5. Total Points Scored
6. Total Points Against
7. Coin Flip
Tiebreakers are applied within divisions first. During the season, tiebreaker for waiver claims will remain the same as before (overall winning % and total points).
C. Playoff Game Tiebreakers - In the extremely unlikely event that a playoff game ends in a tie, the tiebreaker will be as follows:
1. Homefield advantage: Higher seeded team advances
2. If Championship game is a tie, both teams will play an overtime period during week 17
VII. SCHEDULE AND PLAYOFFS
A. The Den of Vices will prepare a schedule for consideration by the Council of Commissioners. The Den will assign head-to-head match-ups with an emphasis on division and conference competition. The formula will be consistent throughout all leagues.
B. ZFL plays a 13 week regular season schedule.
C. Week 14 - #1 AFC Team & #1 NFC Team (bye)
#2 AFC Division Champ vs #1 AFC Wildcard Winner
#2 NFC Division Champ vs #1 NFC Wildcard Winner
Week 15 - #1 AFC Team vs Winner of Week 14 AFC Playoff Game
#1 NFC Team vs Winner of Week 14 AFC Playoff Game
Week 16 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – AFC Champion vs NFC Champion
(see tie-breaker section for rankings)
VIII. CONFERENCE ALIGNMENT
A. 12 Teams will be divided into 2 conferences of 2 divisions.
B. Teams will always remain in the same conference, however, realignment of conference teams will occur every 3 years.
C. Realignment will be determined based upon point totals scored over the three year period. Realignment will be conducted with the following formula, using the National Conference as a model:
1st Scoring Team – North Division
2nd Scoring Team – South Division
3rd Scoring Team – North Division
4th Scoring Team – South Division
5th Scoring Team – North Division
6th Scoring Team – South Division
IX. TEAM FINANCES
A. The currency of the Zealots Field is zbucks. Each team starts their franchise with $5,000zb. Zbucks are used for free agency bids, fines, and as a trading commodity.
B. No team is permitted to run a deficit, public financing is not an option in the ZFL.
C. ZBs can be obtained in the following manner:
1) At the conclusion of each week's games, the team which finishes first that week will receive $100 ZBs, the second place team $150 ZBs, the third place team $200 ZBs, and every team thereafter in $50 ZB increments, finishing with the 12th place team each week receiving $650 ZBs.
2) Owners who lose a player in Restricted Free Agency will receive the amount of ZBs bid by the acquiring team. (owners DO NOT receive ZBs bid in Unrestricted Free Agency).
3) ZBs may be obtained via trade.
X. FREE AGENTS
A. Free agents are available year-round with the following exclusion. The waiver wire will be frozen at kickoff of the first game week 13 until Feb 10th and during the annual rookie draft.
B. During the season only two free agents may be signed per week. Free agents will be rewarded in 24 hour blocks based upon worst-to-best team records during the season. Free agents during the season will be processed by MFL's automated waiver window system. The first waiver window is set for Wednesday morning (12:00:01am) and ends Sunday morning (12:00:01am). All times are eastern time. If teams with identical records attempt to claim the same player in the same 24 hour period the team with the lowest total points scored for the season will be awarded the player. There is a 50zb signing fee for every player awarded a team.
C. During the season once a player is dropped, he is "locked" until the next time waivers are processed.
D. During the off-season, free agency begins Feb. 10th, free agents are awarded on a rolling deadline basis to the highest bidder in open bid format. Once an opening bid has been placed on a player, the auction will continue until 48 hours have passed from the time of the last bid. At that point, the highest bidder will receive the player. Teams will be restricted to 2 "opening bids" (i.e., first owner to bid on a player) at any given time, but may participate in as many other auctions as they wish provided they have enough zbucks to cover their bids. Once placed, no bid may be withdrawn for any reason. There is a minimum required 50zb starting bid for each free agent, and accelerations must be done in 50zb increments. A bid placed in smaller increments will be considered invalid.
XI. RESTRICTED & UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
A. RFA - Each team must designate their RFAs (up to 7) and UFAs by February 10th, starting in 2005. Open bidding with a rolling 48 hour deadline will occur for restricted free agents until March 31st. The team of origin is not allowed to bid on their own RFAs during the auction. Once an auction has been won, the team of origin will be notified and given up to 1 week to match the winning bid and retain the player. If they choose not to match, the amount of the winning bid will be paid to their account.
B. UFA - Unrestricted free agents are designated by their team at the beginning of the RFA period. Open bidding with a rolling 48 hour deadline will occur for unrestricted free agents until March 31st. The team of origin is allowed to bid on their own UFAs.
C. The RFA/UFA period will end on March 31st. At this point, three things will happen:
1. Any ongoing auctions will be allowed to continue until the 48 hour rolling deadline is met.
2. Teams of origin will be given 1 week to retain any RFAs that did not receive any bids, for a cost of $50zb.
3. Teams of origin will be given 1 week to retain any UFAs that did not receive any bids, for no cost.
XII. INAUGURAL and ROOKIE DRAFT
A. The Inaugural Veteran Draft for all ZFLs will be odd random serpentine ordered by the MFL automated system.
B. A 6 round rookie draft will be held every year. The draft will begin no later than 21 days following MFL's site upgrades to the upcoming season. Draft order in the inaugural year will be the reverse order of the inaugural veteran draft’s first and second round and will be serpentine.
C. Veterans are not eligble to be drafted.
D. Any rookie who has been drafted OR signed as an undrafted free agent is eligible to be drafted.
All other years the rookie draft will be straight order based upon:
1. Super Bowl winner will pick 12th in each round.
2. Super Bowl loser will pick 11th in each round.
3. All remaining clubs are ranked according to their W-L record. Ties among clubs with identical regular season records are broken as follows:
a. Playoff clubs will pick after non-playoff clubs with identical records.
b. Ties among playoff clubs are broken with the club that exited the playoffs first picking first.
c. Remaining ties among clubs with identical records are broken by total points, with fewer points picking first.
d. Ties remaining are broken by coin toss / random number generation.
E. Owners will be given 12 hours to make their selection. If a draft pick is missed, the owner will not be allowed to make up the pick until 12 draft spots have passed.
XIII. INACTIVE AND INJURED RESERVE
A. Eligible players who are holdouts or are unsigned, or are on an NFL practice squad will not count against any roster until they have been placed on an NFL active roster. A limit of 2 eligible players may be kept on inactive status. All signed hold-outs may be kept on the inactive status until they return to their team, are traded or released. For the purposes of this section, a player is an "eligible player" only if the player has previously signed a contract with an NFL team.
B. Any player suspended for more than two games by his NFL team or the League itself may not be placed on the inactive roster.
C. Owners may place any player on the injured reserve list if he is also on the NFL’s injured reserve list or if he is listed as “out” on the NFL’s weekly injury report.
D. Any player placed on injured reserve will remain on the list until the conclusion of the ZFL playoffs. Any player remaining on Inactive Status must be activated at the conclusion of the ZFL playoffs.
E. Before any player can be placed on the injured reserve list or the inactive list, that player must be on a team’s active roster for at least one week, unless the player was previously on the team's injured reserve list earlier in the season and the player must be placed directly on the team's injured reserve in accordance with subsections H and I of this section. Players may be assigned to Inactive Status three days following the final NFL preseason game of the year to coincide with the 53-man roster cut down deadline.
F. Each team will be strictly limited to 2 IR spots and 2 inactive spots.
G. Players placed on IR and traded to another team are immediately activated to the active 53 man roster by the receiving team but may be placed on IR in accordance with section XIII.E.
H. IR listed players that are traded and return to the team of origin within the season they are traded shall be placed on the IR list.
I. IR listed players, if released from the roster, are active free agents. In the season during which the player was IR listed, the player may be signed by any team. If a team signs a player who was listed on its IR earlier in the season, the player must be placed directly on the team's IR. If a team signs a player who was listed on another team's IR earlier in the season, that team may only place the player on IR in accordance with the rules of this section, including XIII.E.
XIV. TRANSACTIONS
A. Trading - Any combinations of players, zbucks, and/or draft picks may be traded. These are the only assets that may be traded.
B. No trades may be made that include real cash, future considerations, or a player to be named later.
C. When draft picks are involved in a trade, only draft picks for the current draft year (January 1 through December 31) and/or following draft year may be traded. Example 1: After the '06 draft through the end of the season, only picks for the '07 draft are available. Example 2: After completion of the '06 season up to the '07 draft, picks are available for the '07 and '08 draft.
D. Before a trade becomes final it must be confirmed on the message board by all involved parties. Once a trade has been officially announced it may not be rescinded by any of the teams involved.
E. Any trade that appears to be suspicious or detrimental to the integrity of the league may be vetoed by a supermajority vote of the owners not involved in the deal. During the season, owners will have 48 hours to contest a trade. During the offseason, owners will have up to 1 week to contest a trade.
F. No trade may be made between the kickoff of the week 11 Games and the completion of the Zealots Field championship game.
XV. GOVERNANCE
A. Each Zealots Field League shall be run by the ZFL Tribunal. The ZFL Tribunal is a leadership committee that is established to maintain the league. The Tribunal shall consist of a Commissioner, a Vice-Commissioner for Team Assets, and a Vice-Commissioner for Team Services. In addition certain tasks may be assigned to willing league members.
B. The post of ZFL Tribunal commissioners is voluntary and is a long-term appointment; once appointed, commissioners may serve until they step down voluntarily, leave the league, or are removed.
C. The ZFL Tribunal Commissioners are vested with the following powers and responsibilities:
Commissioner Powers & Responsibilities:
1. Interpret the Rulebook as he sees just and fit.
2. Settle all position eligibility questions.
3. Approve team name assignments.
4. Preside over the draft and settle draft disputes.
5. Organize the league structure by splitting franchises into conferences and divisions.
6. Maintain the integrity of the league and its owners by enforcing the "Code of Conduct".
7. Determine playoff seedings in accordance with the Rulebook.
8. Approve all trades and transactions.
9. Have an equal vote on all league matters related to Amendments to the Rulebook.
10. Provide to the owners regular and timely updates on game results, standings, and rosters.
11. Act as a fair and impartial arbiter in good-faith disputes between franchise owners.
12. Arbitrate all disputes taking into account the following precedence: 1.) the written Rulebook; 2.) past precedent; and 3.) side agreements between owners where such agreements do not conflict with the written Rulebook.
13. Provide a forum that allows for and encourages interaction between team owners.
14. Abide by the Rulebook in all league matters while making sure the owners do the same.
Vice-Commissioner for Team Assets Powers & Responsibilities:
15. Preside as chief record keeper for the league
16. Responsible for keeping the rosters, draft picks, and zbucks accounts accurate on the site.
17. Responsible for setting up dates and details for the annual rookie draft.
18. Have an equal vote on all league matters related to Amendments to the Rulebook.
Vice-Commissioner for Team Services Powers & Responsibilities:
19. Responsible for handling the free agency process.
20. Works with commissioner on site development (MFL).
21. Maintains accurate information on owners, such as emails, IMs, etc.
22. Is the chief assistant to the commissioner on rules enforcement in the event that the commissioner is away for an extended period of time.
23. Have an equal vote on all league matters related to Amendments to the Rulebook.
XVI. COUNCIL OF COMMISSIONERS
A. Each commissioner is required to serve in the Zealots Field Empire’s Council of Commissioners. The Council will meet to discuss, advise and make decisions regarding the health and well-being of the league.
B. In rare cases, the Council can override or reprimand a commissioner if it is deemed the accused commissioner has been negligent in his duties to his league or has treated owners within his league in an inappropriate manner.
C. Only two items are never up for debate within Zealots Field: the ban on monetary rewards and the enforcement of our Code of Conduct.
D. Council of commissioners will be called on to vote on rules clarifications as deemed necessary by Lord Zealot, Vice-Lords or Rules Committee. 75% approval of commissioners will add clarification into official rule book. Any clarification created as a result of this process will be temporary until the off-season, where the issue will be addressed permanently during the rules convention.
XVII. EXTRAORDINARY SITUATIONS
A. Inactive Owner
If, during the course of the season, an owner has not sent in a lineup for two consecutive weeks without notifying the league commissioner beforehand, the commissioner will officially warn the owner in question via e-mail that further acts of non-participation will result in the owner being subject to removal from the league. If the owner in question does not respond to this e-mail or does not submit a lineup for a third consecutive week, the commissioner shall recommend to the league that the owner be removed from the league.
B. Dishonesty in Financial Matters
All owners join Zealots Field with the understanding that it is a non-payout league. There is no financial betting or wagering (in real currency) allowed. No monetary rewards and no collection of a pool of funds for distribution based upon finish are permitted. If it is discovered that any owners or commissioners publicly or privately are engaged in these prohibited activities, they will be immediately banned from the league. There are several opportunities in the world of fantasy sports to engage in these activities, but this is not one of them.
C. Appealing Commissioner Decision
ONLY ONE (1) APPEAL PER OWNER WILL BE ALLOWED PER SEASON. NO EXCEPTIONS. Once an owner has appealed one (1) decision, all further commissioner decisions involving that owner will be final with no appeal possible. Appealing the decision of the commissioner is a very serious action and is expected to be a rare occurrence. The process for appeal is as follows:
1. Owner notifies the commissioner he is appealing the decision.
2. Commissioner notifies the league owners.
3. Owner and commissioner present their positions to the league.
4. League votes.
D. Removal & Replacement of Owner
This is an extremely serious consideration, one which the league will seek to avoid at all costs. If it arises, this path will be followed:
1. Three (3) League owners together or the commissioner may recommend that an owner be removed.
2. If a super majority of the league owners (9 of 12, or 3/4) votes to remove the owner, the owner is removed from the league.
3. The commissioner assumes control of the team and a replacement owner shall be located as soon as possible. If a list of alternate owners exists, the commissioner shall choose the next available alternate owner and extend him the offer of membership in the league. If the new owner accepts, he or she will inherit the team's roster, zbucks, any draft picks acquired by trade, and draft position for the coming season.
E. Removal & Replacement of Commissioner or Vice-Commissioners
Removing a leader is also an extremely serious situation. If a condition arises which requires the consideration of a removal from office, this path will be followed:
1. Three (3) League Owners recommend that the Commissioner or Vice-Commissioner be removed.
2. If a simple majority of the league owners (7 of 12) vote to remove the commissioner or vice-commissioner, the commissioner or vice-commissioner is removed from the leadership.
3. The Council of Commissioners, as prescribed in the description of their jurisdiction, may remove a commissioner from power and/or from the league.
4. Vice Commissioners may also be demoted by their Commissioner.
5. Syndicate Czar appoints a replacement commissioner
XVIII. REPLACEMENT OWNERS DRAFT
A. After the new owner is awarded a franchise he will have the opportunity to remake his team through free agency and trades. The new owner will not have to abide by the 2 free agent per week limitation during his first week in the league. Replacement Owners who are not involved in a replacement owner's draft, will be allowed during their first week in the league the chance to pick up as many free agents as they like. This is a one-time ability. A list will be e-mailed to the commish and posted on the message board for that league. There is no ZBuck charge for these players. No RFA/UFA player may be on this list. Players that have started league auctions may not be on the list. Roster size can not exceed normal rules during these pick ups, so drops may need to be accompanied with free agent requests. All replacement owners get this one time opportunity whenever they join. Be it in season, quiet time, RFA/UFA, Rookie Draft or Auction times.
B. Replacement Owners Draft. If more than one vacancy occurs during the offseason, the players on the vacated teams will be placed in the free agency pool. The newly selected owners will have their own 53 round draft using the free agency pool. At the end of every season if one or more owners are added at the end of the season, any other replacement owners from the league may choose to join the Replacement Owners Draft. Post-season new owners must participate in the draft if any other replacement owner is involved. If a replacement owner from earlier in the year chooses not to participate they no longer have the right to draft in future Replacement Owners Drafts. This rule only applies when more than one team is vacated during the same period of time in the offseason. After the Replacement Owners Draft, free agency would again be opened to the rest of the league.
XIX. RULE CHANGES
A. Amendments to the Rulebook are only allowed during an annual Rules Meeting from Dec. 15th to Feb. 10th, starting in 2004 or during a special parliamentary session of owners called by a 75% majority of commissioners. This allows for an emergency vote in the event an issue cannot wait until the Rules Meeting.
B. The Rules Meeting will last the entire month and will be adjourned by the last day of the month.
C. Because one of the unique qualities of Zealots Field is it’s interactive nature among several leagues, the rules for each league must be consistent. As a result, changing the rules requires an extensive process because the changes would impact so many leagues, teams and owners. Therefore, the following process is necessary for the Zealots Field rules to be changed:
1. Five (5) owners or three (3) vice commissioners or one (1) commissioner may recommend an amendment to the Rulebook. The owners or vice commissioners do not need to be from the same league to propose an amendment to the Council of Commissioners.
2. A quorum is necessary for any vote within the Parliament of Owners to be considered official. A quorum will consist of 50%+1 eligible voting owners. It is necessary for 75% approval of voting owners from the combined leagues to amend the Rulebook.
3. For the vote to be valid, over 50% of eligible Zealots Field owners must have cast a vote. The ballot box will remain open on each amendment until the end of the Rules Meeting.
4. If approved, the amendment becomes a permanent part of the Rulebook and assumes equal status with all other rules.
XX. MASTER ZEALOTS LEAGUE
A. Following each year's championship games, the champions from each Zealots Field League will form a Master Zealots League. These twelve owners will hold a Champions Draft starting the first week in March.
B. Should a commissioner who owns two ZFL teams win the championship in both of his leagues, the alternate (runnerup) will represent his second league in the Master Zealots League.
C. Should any champion drop from Zealots Field or be removed, the alternate from their Realm will assume control of the team.
D. Oscar or the designated Czar will serve as commissioner over the Master Zealots League each year to ensure impartiality.
E. The MZL will abide by the same rules as all other ZFLs, with the exception of the differences in magenta (see full masters rule set).
F.The champion of champions will be designated the Master Zealot for the year.
* There may be a minimum fee request from owners to assist with the costs of administering the league. For instance, MFL charged approximately $80 for their services per league in 2007. Owners may be asked to contribute as little as $7 or $8 per team to offset the costs. A full financial report will be provided to all ZFL owners in the interests of accountability. Actual costs for 2007 were $7.50 per classic league owned
