We, the people of the Fantasy Football Champions League, in order to promote a more perfect game, spend inordinate amounts of money on newsstand fantasy magazines with questionable value, peer endlessly over columns of stats, curse inaccurate injury reports, and revel in our genius when players occasionally perform remotely near our projections, hereby establish this constitution as the official rule book for play and effectively end this run on sentence.

*When discussing this Constitution, "Owners" and "Members" are defined as the Fantasy Team Owners. "Players" are the actual NFL Football players.

I. Teams and Members

A. The Fantasy Champions League will be made up of a league comprised of two equal conferences, based on the number of owners that participate. The 12-team dynasty league will participate in both a rookie draft and a veteran draft in the first year and a rookie draft from each year thereafter. All owners will participate in a 13 game regular season each year with a playoff involving six (6) teams where the two conference winners will meet for the Fantasy Champions Cup. The championship game will be played in week 16. The commissioner will set the conferences and divisions based on geography. Each Conference will be comprised of six (6) teams each. Assignments to the two conferences are set permanently, only to change with the addition or subtraction of expansion owners.

B. The league of 12 owners will hold an e-mail based rookie draft to begin around June 1st. The veteran draft will be a live draft at a date and time determined by the commissioner and his assistants. The rookie draft will only have the pool of players selected in the 2002 NFL draft. The veteran draft will have the full pool of NFL players available to them, including rookies not selected in the rookie draft.

C. One or more league members own and control a team. Each team has one vote in voting processes. In the case of partners having a team, those partners shall be treated as one.

D. Expansion membership is decided by nominations and voting from the current membership. A majority vote of the membership is required to approve any expansion team to enter the league.

E. Should an owner leave the league for any reason, the team is NOT automatically inherited by the league. Instead, the Commissioner will immediately contact a capable owner brought forward to them by a present owner in the league and determine if they wish to take the membership. This person will then be voted on by the league as a whole for a confirmation vote. As with other membership votes, a simple majority will confirm the new owner.

A. Owners will build their team through a traditional serpentine draft. Draft picks in odd numbered rounds are selected in the order 1 through 16 (again based on a 16-team league). Even numbered rounds are reversed and selected 16 down to 1. For example, the Owner who drafts the 1.01 (first) pick would draft next at the 2.12 (24th) and then the 3.01 (25th) position. An Owner drafting in the 16th position of an odd numbered round, would also have the 17th overall pick.

B. Draft orders. The draft order for both drafts will be determined by random draw prior to the rookie draft. All league drafts will have a unique order, decided by random draw. The "roll-the-dice" method will be used both times separately to determine the draft order.

C. Trades. The following items may be exchanged for another owners' draft picks in the current draft:
1. Players currently on your roster (not possible for the rookie draft)
2. Later draft picks in current draft
3. A combination of any of the above
Draft picks can not be traded for money or any other considerations (including draft picks for the next year's rookie draft). The commissioner can veto any trade made.

D. The veterans' draft will consist of 16 rounds. Once a draft selection has been e-mailed out for the rookie draft or typed down during the live draft, it cannot be rescinded.

E. An E-mail based rookie draft is to be held prior to the veterans' draft (expansion draft). Owners will select their rookies through a serpentine style draft, with exceptions enforced by the Commissioner.

F. Place. A 2 round rookie draft will be conducted via e-mail with a round by round notification posted on the league website. Owners will notify the owners of the league of their pick via email. At the end of each round the Commissioner will then post the picks on the league website.

G. When an expansion owner enters the league, for his first year he will have the first two picks of the rookie draft. Otherwise, the draft order will go from the records of the teams from the previous year. The team with the worst record will have the first pick, etc.

G. Veteran Draft Guidelines:

1. The veteran draft will begin at a point after July 15th at a date set by the commissioner.
2. The veteran draft will consist of 16 rounds.
3. The draft order is separate and unique from the rookie draft as mentioned above.
4. When an team owner exceeds the deadline for submitting their draft selection (will probably be 5 minutes per pick at the draft), other owners may make their selection in his draft position, until the originally schedule team owner has submitted a selection to the commissioner. (e.g. if the owner with selection X.03 misses the deadline, the X.04 and following draft positions may select in that place until the original tardy selection is presented to the commissioner.)

H. Expansion draft guidelines:

1. Each current owner will have to leave three of his players unprotected for the expansion draft. These three players can be at any position.

2. The expansion owner will have the opportunity of taking one unprotected player from each current team to be on his roster. Each current owner will only lose one player in the draft.

3. The rest of the players the expansion owner will select from will come from the whole free agent pool.

4. The expansion owner must select at least 7 players and not take more than 20. He can take as many as he chooses as long as he stays between those two numbers.

A. The minimum number of players on a roster is 7. The maximum number is 20.

B. Position eligibility. The final say on all roster eligibility will be what position the player is listed as at NFL.com. In the event of a player being listed in multiple positions, the player is available to be inserted in the starting lineup at any of the positions listed. In the event that a player changes positions during the season, he may qualify to be inserted in the starting lineup at that new position once the commissioner has determined the player has at least 5 "successes" at that position. A "success" will be defined as a passing completion (QB), rushing attempt (RB), pass reception (WR, TE) or field goal/extra point attempt (K).

C. Minimum's and maximum's: 

Minimum: of 1 QB, 2 RB's, 2 WR's, 1 TE, 1 K, and 1 DEF.

Maximum's: 3 QB's, 5 or 6 RB's or WR's (your choice; you can't have 6 at both though), 2 TE's, 2 K's and 2 DEF's.

IV. Starting lineups

A. All starting lineups will consist of the following: 1 quarterback, 2 running backs, 2 wide receivers, 1 tight end, 1 kicker, and 1 defensive team.

B. The deadline for submitting starting lineups will be 12:55pm et on Sunday (for a Thursday game, 6pm et on Thursday, and for Saturday games, 10am et on Saturday, and those are only for the players playing that day). Lineups must be submitted to the commissioner by email, or phone. The deadline for submitting starting lineups will be strictly enforced.

C. Default starting lineup. Each Owner may submit a Default Lineup to the Commissioner. It is not mandatory. If an Owner fails to submit a lineup on time for that week, his default lineup will be used if he has submitted one. If an Owner fails to submit a lineup on time for that week and he does not have a default lineup in place, his starting lineup from the previous week will be used, even if some players are on bye weeks. It is the Owner's responsibility to keep the Default Lineup current and up to date with regard to traded and waived players.

Note: Obviously, if an Owner trades or waives a player on his default lineup yet fails to update the default lineup, he will not receive points scored by that player if the default lineup is used.

V. Scoring Points are awarded without regard to position. Official scoring is as follows:

TDs and other scoring plays (regardless of position*)
3 pts = Passing
6 pts = Rushing
6 pts = Receiving
6 pts = Defensive (look below) 6 pts = Special Teams (punt and kick returns only)
2 pts = 2 Pt Conversions for run and catch 1 pt = 2 Pt Conversions for pass
* Should a kicker pass for a TD he would be awarded a passing TD.

Yardage
1 pt per 20 passing yards
1 pt per 10 rushing or receiving yards for all other positions

Kickers
1 pt = PAT
3 pts = FG (0-44 yards)
4 pts = FG (45-49 yards)
5 pts = FG (50+ yards)

Defense
6 pts = Defensive TDs*
2 pts = Turnovers
1 pts = Sacks
4 pts = Safeties

* Defensive TDs include Interception returns and fumble returns. Punt and Kickoff returns are scored by the individual as a special teams play. There will be no double scoring for TDs unless a player both passes and receives for a TD (Brad Johnson in 1997).

--Players are awarded points for a TD regardless of their position. Example: A RB is awarded 6 points for a rushing TD, 6 points for a receiving TD, and 3 points for a passing TD. In the same way, a QB is awarded 3 points for a passing TD and 6 points for a rushing TD.

--TDs are scored the same regardless of the length of score. Example: An RB is awarded 6 points for a 10 yard TD run and also awarded 6 points for a 25 yard TD run.

The commissioner will tabulate the weekly score for the starting lineups and scores will be posted Tuesday evening on the league website.

VI. Tiebreakers

Individual Game - Each team will be awarded a tie if both teams are tied after all their starters' games are done.

2-team tiebreakers:
1. Overall record
2. Head to head record
3. Most points for
4. Division record
5. Most points against
6. Highest single game score to date
7. Coin flip

3 or more team tiebreakers:
1. Most points scored out of all three teams
2. Best head-to-head record between all tied teams
3. Best division record
4. Most points against
5. Highest single game score to date
6. Three way coin flip (whoever has non-duplicate result wins)

VII. Playoffs/Schedule

A. Our regular season will end after NFL week 13. Playoffs will include 3 teams from each division and will begin on week 14 of the NFL season. The teams will be seeded on their 1) W-L record, 2) Head-to-Head results, 3) Total points scored. The #2 and #3 teams of each division will play in week 14. The 2 winners will play the divisions' regular season champion for the division championship in week 15 and of course the 2 division championship winners will play in the Fantasy Bowl.

B. Each team will play their division foes twice and three teams from the other division once. From 2003 on, the non-division games are to be set up as this: the top 3 teams in each division will play each other based on the previous year's standings (e.g.: if you finish 1st in your division, you'll play the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams from the other division based on their records from the previous year). That way, the non-division games are set up like the NFL and should make things more even.

A. Trading:

1. At the conclusion of trading, roster must not exceed 20 players.
2. For the trade to be valid both players must e-mail the commissioner.
3. Trades must be fair. "Herschel Walker" trades are fair. Dumping players and collusion is not. The Commissioner will decide fairness and he reserves the right to veto a trade.
4. Once a trade has been announced to the commissioner, it cannot be rescinded.
5. Trades can be made for next years draft picks and/or players. The Final trading deadline is on the Wednesday after the completion of NFL Week #9 at 6:00pm ET.

B. Pickups/drops:

Notes:

1. Your roster may not exceed 20 after you make a free agent acquisition.
2. The transaction period (pickups/drops/trades) will start at 3am Tuesday morning. Pickups will be accepted for free agents prior to Friday 6:00 PM ET of each week. In weeks with scheduled NFL weekday games, the pickup deadline is Wednesday 6:00 PM ET.
3. The final free agent deadline is the Friday after NFL week #9 at 6:00pm ET (same as the trade deadline).
4. Free agents may be started to be picked up in the offseason on February 15^th at noon.
5. Waivers. Players may be waived at any time for any reason. When a player clears waivers, he becomes a member of the available free agent pool.

IX. Injured Reserve
There will be an injured reserve list. If a player is injured, the Owner has the option of putting him on injured reserve as soon as the player is officially put on the NFL IR list. When you put a player on IR, he will not count towards your roster; thus you are able to pick up one other player. If a player is officially placed on IR after the pickup deadline, you are allowed to place the injured player on IR and pick one guy up, but you can't drop the guy you picked up until the offseason.

X. Player Retention
Since this is a dynasty league, every player on your team will be kept from year-to-year. In the offseason, you may trade away these players, make pickups for free agents, etc. Basically the league is year round but games will only be played obviously during the NFL season.

XI. League Governance

League stability is our primary goal. This framework will govern the league:

A. Commissioner. Our goal is to have a very strong, yet fair Commissioner. The Commissioner is sworn to act at all times in the Best Interests of the League and is vested with the following powers:

1. Interpret the Constitution as he sees just and fit.
2. Settle all position eligibility questions.
3. Approve team names.
4. Preside over draft and settle draft disputes.
5. Provide timely weekly scoring results.
6. Maintain the integrity of the league and its Owners by enforcing Article XIII, "Expected Owner Conduct".
7. Approve all trades and transactions.
8. Have an equal vote on all league matters related to Amendments to the Constitution.

B. Executive Committee. There will be an Executive Committee (XC) made up of 2 Owners and the commissioner. The XC members will be appointed by the commissioner, and will be counted as his assistants. The XC will serve several functions:

1.To serve as an appeal board for an Owner who feels the Commissioner has decided an issue unfairly. Each Owner will have the opportunity to appeal 1 Commissioner's decision per season to the XC.
2. Serve as a steering committee for the league. Decisions affecting the league will often begin with the XC.
3. Help the commissioner with scoring decisions, scheduling, draft orders, etc.

C. Committee of the Whole. The league Owners will function as the Committee of the Whole (CW) which is made up of all league members and the commissioner, each with an equal vote. The Committee of the Whole reserves the right to veto any decision made by the Executive Committee with a 2/3 majority vote (with at least 2/3 of all current owners casting a vote). Each member of the Committee will be charged with the responsibility of acting in the Best Interests of the League.

XII. Expected Owner Conduct

Owners will be expected to conduct themselves in a manner that will not disparage the league nor its Owners in any way, shape, or form. While bragging is always a part of some Owner's personality and is to be expected, inflammatory or taunting acts will not be tolerated. The Commissioner will have total authority in drawing the line between bragging and taunting. This will be strictly enforced. See Article XIII. Extraordinary Situations".

XIII. Extraordinary Situations

The following are serious situations and should be treated as such.

A. Appealing a Commissioner's decision. ONLY 1 APPEAL WILL BE ALLOWED PER SEASON. NO EXCEPTIONS. Once an Owner has appealed 1 decision, all further Commissioner decisions involving that Owner will be final with no appeal possible. Appealing the commissioner's decision 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 Executive Committee.
3. Owner and Commissioner present their positions to the XC via email.
4. XC members discuss the issue and deliver a final ruling.

B. Amendments to the Constitution. Amendments to the Constitution are allowed in the off season. Thus, they can NEVER be made during a season. By definition, the season begins once the Commissioner accepts the first selection of the annual player draft. Amendments to the Constitution will follow this path:

1. 3 league Owners together or the Commissioner may recommend an amendment.
2. If 2/3 of the XC vote to adopt the amendment, the issue is put to the league Owners.
3. 2/3 of the league Owners & Commissioner must approve the proposed amendment (with at least 2/3 of all the Owners & Commissioner casting a vote).
4. If approved, the amendment becomes a permanent article of the Constitution and assumes equal status with all other articles.

C. Reprimanding an Owner. If an Owner is considered by the Commissioner to be conducting himself in a manner not in the Best Interest of the League, this path is followed:

1. The Commissioner issues a warning.
2. If a second warning is issued, the Commissioner recommends to the Executive Committee that the Owner be removed from the league. (See section D.)

D. Removing an Owner. This is an extremely serious consideration, one that the league will seek to avoid at all costs. If it arises, this path will be followed:

1. 3 league Owners together or the Commissioner may recommend that an Owner be removed.
2. If 2/3 of the XC vote to remove the Owner, the issue is put to the league Owners.
3. If a simple majority of the league Owners vote to remove the Owner (with at least 2/3 of the Owners casting a vote), the Owner is removed from the league.
4. The Commissioner assumes control of the team and a replacement Owner is found as soon as possible. The new Owner will inherit the team's roster, and draft position for the upcoming season.

E. Removing a Commissioner. This also is an extremely serious situation. If it arises, this path will be followed.

1. 3 league Owners recommend that the Commissioner be removed.
2. If 2/3 of the XC vote to remove the Commissioner, the issue is put to the league Owners.
3. If a simple majority of the league Owners vote to remove the Commissioner (with at least 2/3 of the Owners casting a vote), the Commissioner is removed from the league.
4. The Executive Committee assumes control of the Commissioner's duties and a replacement Commissioner is found as soon as possible.

--The league will be run manually by the commissioner at The Fantasy Champions League.

--Each team can have a logo if they wish. Please send a graphics file to the commissioner to be put on their team page.

XV. Bottom Line
This League was founded on the ideal of conducting our game of Fantasy Football at an extremely competitive level. Every Team Owner is a vital part of that process and is essential to the success of the league. May the bounces go those who most deserve them.

Credits:

League Founder, Rob Ball, drafted this Constitution.