How long has it been? Two years? Three? Feels like ten. But like the sun rising in the east and setting in the west, fantasy season comes around like clockwork. We're back baby, like Backstreet, for our 13th year and boy it's already shaping up to be a doozie. What's new this year in our wonderful league?
Offline Draft
We have our draft lined up and ready to go on August 26th at Austin's house, the address will be provided via email. We'll have a draft board and timer, so come ready and with a plan. Without the crutch of ESPN, let's see just how well everyone drafts this year, shall we?
UPDATE AUGUST 8: A poll initiated by Mike for increasing the buy-in received the necessary 8 votes (as outlined in Article IV Section 2.A of the Constitution) for raising to $100 effective this year (plus the $5 for the draft board). The payout structure is adjusted to be as follows:
- Champion: $400
- Runner-Up: $200
- Money Back Bowl Winner: $100
- Top Weekly Score (15 awards): $10
- Weekly Challenge Winner (15 awards): $10
The way the challenges are set up, the theoretical maximum amount one person could earn this year is $690. Which honestly is just a really fun outcome.
Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB)
We are revamping the waiver acquisition system to use the Free Agent Acquisition (FAA) Budget system. This is a more strategic system that requires more planning than just knowing your position in the waiver wire. A quick video on how FAA works can be found below (you have to watch on YouTube for some reason but it's a helpful video).
New Weekly Challenges and Season Theme
We've got some new features this season which you can read more about on the Weekly Challenges page, including a season long Imperialism game. Should be a lot of fun! Head over to check it out and throw up any questions into the group chat.
Week 10 Gut Check
If you notice on your schedules, everyone currently has a "bye" listed for week 10. That's because this week is reserved for an event I like to call the "Gut Check". After week 9, when everyone has played everyone else once, teams will be pitted against each other by rank. #1 will play #2, #3 will play #4, and so on in that fashion. This will, by design, tighten the gap between the middle of the league as we head into the final month of the season.
NOTE: It is possible that this will result in some teams playing twice in a row (either in weeks 9 and 10, or in 10 and 11) and therefore potentially 3 times in one season, but that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make to keep things spicy.
Administrative Stuff
Draft
Ok let's get to it. Before we can get the season started we have to fund it and draft teams. Please send your $105 to yours truly on Venmo @Jacob-Lay. The draft order is as follows:
| Pick |
Odd Rounds |
Even Rounds |
| 1 |
TK |
Mike |
| 2 |
Austin |
Jake |
| 3 |
Collin |
John Luke |
| 4 |
Ryan |
Tyler |
| 5 |
Garrett |
Nathan |
| 6 |
Nathan |
Garrett |
| 7 |
Tyler |
Ryan |
| 8 |
John Luke |
Garrett |
| 9 |
Jake |
Austin |
| 10 |
Mike |
TK |
Don't forget to start thinking about your keepers! Remember you have until 2 days before the draft to declare your keeper selection to me (and it will be made public upon declaration so other people can appropriately prepare their draft strategy). The summary of keeper options for every team can be found on the Keeper Page.
Membership
If anyone does not want to participate this year for any reason, please let me know ASAP so we can find a replacement. Everyone is, of course, welcome to stay. This group has been fantastic, but I get that stuff happens and if you need to bail, I understand.
Looking forward to the season!