1.Introduction
The purpose of this document is to collectively bargain to set rules and standards, provide a level playing field for all members, and preserve the integrity of the league. This includes, but is not limited to, preventing situations such as cheating, colluding, and any anti-competitive activities/behaviors. As members of Handles Fantasy Basketball League, we expect each other to follow the rules bargained and laid out in this agreement in honest and good faith. When an unrealized or unconsidered scenario arises, it is in the commissioner's discretion to deal with the situation and ultimately decide the resolution, to the best of his ability, and in the best interest of the league. The commissioner will always act in the best interest of the league without bias for any single player including himself. By participating in Handles Fantasy Basketball League you are agreeing to abide by the rules laid out in this document.
2.League Overview & Details
Platform: Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball
Commissioner: Bilal Sattar - Moderate and Preserve League Integrity
Format: 12 team Head to Head, 9 Categories.
Buy-in: $175
Total pot: $2100
Main pot: $1758
Side pot (weekly prizes): $342 ($2/category)
3.Payout Structure
Handles Championship Tournament
1st place = Â $1098
2nd place = $500
3rd place = $160
Weekly - $342
At the end of each week, the leader of each category will be awarded $2 each.
Category ties - Tie breakers for each category are as follows. If the tie breaker is a tie, we will go with a coin flip. Better record makes the call.
FG% - FGM
FT% - FTM
3PM - 3P%
PTS - FG%
REB - RPG
AST - TO
STL - SPG
BLK - BPG
TO - AST
Prize money will be paid out at the end of the season. The commissioner and/or volunteer will keep track of weekly leaders. Screenshots of the stat tracker will be taken each Sunday to preserve the results.
If you claim that there is a discrepancy, please provide evidence for the discrepancy. The commissioner will follow up and resolve.
4.Draft Settings
Live Draft: Saturday, October 17 at 1:00 PM Pacific Time.
Format: Auction draft
5.Roster Positions
14 roster positions:
1SG
1PG
1G
1SF
1 Power Forward
1 Forward
1 Center
3 Utility
3 Bench
3 Injured List (IL)
6.Trades & Re-Acquisitions
In general, all trades are legal and encouraged with the exception of collusive transactions. All trades are subject to review by the league commissioner.
Do not leave trades proposed. If a trade is accepted by someone, there will be no going back unless the specific unique scenario calls for a league review. (Jacob Rule)
Same-day trades. Accepted trades normally take effect the day after they are accepted, once approved after midnight Pacific Time. A trade may take effect the same day only if one of the two managers messages the Commissioner and receives the Commissioner's confirmation before the first game involving any player in the trade begins. If the Commissioner does not confirm in time, for any reason, the trade takes effect the next day. Same-day approval is never guaranteed. A missed same-day request does not affect any other trade; each trade is judged on its own request and timing.
It is not the commissioner’s job to judge whether a trade is “fair.” Fairness of a trade is subjective. If there is a case in which there is a general suspicion throughout the league in regards to a trade, the league commissioner reserves the right to trigger a review of the trade. The review will involve a private investigation conducted by the commissioner to look for things such as collusion, anti-competitiveness, bribery, and moves that adversely affect the integrity of the league. We will follow the process outlined in section 8: Trade Review to rule out collusion.
If a trade is accepted and one party no longer wants the trade before it has been approved by the commissioner, it is recommended that the two parties come to an agreement to either re-structure the deal or call it off. If there is no agreement between the two trade participants, the trade will continue as it was originally agreed upon by the two parties. In a unique circumstance, the commissioner will step in and act as an arbitrator and ultimately come to a decision based on the given circumstances.
Trade stipulations are strictly prohibited. All trades are straight up with no special circumstances attached to the trade, i.e. “injury insurance”, tradebacks, tradeback clause, etc. All trades must be made with the intention of it being a final deal.
If it is discovered that there were special trade stipulations, all parties involved will be stripped of adds for multiple weeks.
Re-Acquiring a previously traded away player
A full 21 days must pass before re-acquiring a previously traded away player in any way including but not limited to, a tradeback from the original owner, via drop, or via a tradeback from a third team. The only exception to this rule is to get commissioner approval prior to accepting any tradeback. “Borrowing” players for short term use is strictly prohibited.
If the previously traded away player is re-acquired via free agency, you must inform the commissioner:
Before making the add.
Commissioner approval/response is not required to continue with the transaction. The re-acquisition of the player is still subject to review to help ensure no “borrowing” occurred.
Less than 5 minutes after making the add.
If the member fails to perform one of the two above options, they will be forced to drop the re-acquired player without getting the used add back.
This rule is a bit of a slippery slope, and is designed to make it difficult to use other teams players for short term gain. Ultimately, it is in the commissioner’s discretion to resolve situations like these.
6.1 Trade Review Framework
Does the trade help either team via depth?
Does the team acquire or trade away an injured player? We will consider where the injured player is in their injury recovery.
Does the trade align with either team’s punts?
Does the trade help a positional need?
Does the trade help either team stash a player for future potential?
Consider both team’s explanations for how these questions are answered.
7.Playoffs
The top 8 ranked teams will qualify for a single elimination playoffs.
The bottom 4 seeds will have their teams locked.
Players who are eliminated in the playoffs are required to continue to play in the consolation tournament. Succeeding in the consolation tournament will give you a higher chance to get a higher pick in next season’s draft. Any players complaining about consolation teams making roster moves will be ignored.
Yahoo version of “head to head record” tie breaker.
8.Free Agency & Waivers
Each player is limited to 5 adds per week.
When a player is added, the change will take effect immediately, unless that player’s game has already started for the day. In that case, this player must be added after midnight - pacific time. The player being dropped must have also not played yet in order to be dropped.
Adds must be used for yourself. There is no using your adds for any other league member.
No trades via free agency(i.e. To get around the trade deadline). Aka “drop trades.”
If any player uses a loophole to get around a rule, the transactions will be reversed by the commissioner and adds will not be restored for the players that broke the rules.
If there is a case in which there is no clearly fair solution in regards to a specific player, the commissioner reserves the right to ban said player from all rosters. This means that he must remain on the free agent list for the remainder of the season. Any league member that adds the banned player will be forced to drop him without getting the used add back. If a banned player is added AND used - consequences will be decided based on what stats were accrued.
9.League Participation & Conduct
Please participate in the league’s group chat on WhatsApp. Your contributions to it are greatly appreciated and they bring a lot of joy to the league.
Please refrain from offensive, racist, prejudice, disrespect, etc. Let’s make this a friendly and fun place to enjoy our fantasy basketball league.
Next year’s invites will lightly take participation into account.
10.Last Place Punishment
The person(s) finishing in last place must participate in one of the following options. This punishment is subject to change.
The commissioner will cover the cost of the 1 chip challenge
You may not eat or drink anything until you complete your 3 minutes.
11.Rule Changes & Amendments
There will be no mid-season rule changes. All changes will be reserved for review over the off season.
Rule changes will be collectively bargained and agreed upon by the league members.
By participating in Handles Fantasy Basketball League, you agree to the above collective bargaining agreement.