Tier System

The PFFL's "Tier Structure" is the innovation that sets us apart and makes us unique -- there's nothing like this out there.  It allows for a theoretically infinite number of teams and leagues to be interlinked into a larger organization, where over time the best of the best will rise to the top until we've got a true class of "Professional" Fantasy Football Players.  What's great is that it's still traditional Fantasy Football -- you play in a 12-player league just like you always have.  The difference is that after each season, you will either "move up" to a more competitive league if you win or "move down" to a lower tier if you suck.



Here's how it works: In 2011, there will be three "Tiers" of leagues in the PFFL.  Tier-1 is just a single league -- the 12 players in Tier-1 are in that league because of their success in 2010.  This is our "elite" league.  Tier-2 has four leagues, and Tier-3 has 16 leagues.  Each league, regardless of tier, will play a full 16-game (or possibly 18-game) schedule just like you would in your league.  At the end of the year, the winners will "move up" to a higher tier and the losers will "move down" to a lower tier.  In 2012 we will add more players and leagues -- at least one new tier will be added and possibly two depending on how many new players we have sign up.  The PFFL is always growing -- there's no limit to how many players, leagues, and tiers we can add.

League Movement: Here are the specific details of how the "moving up" and "moving down" will work for the 2011 season:

• If you are in Tier-1: The top three teams will remain in Tier-1 for 2012, and everyone else will move down to Tier-2.  Last place will move down two tiers to Tier-3.
• If you are in Tier-2: There will be four leagues -- first and second place from each league will move up to Tier-1 in 2012.  Third and fourth place will stay in Tier-2. 5th-11th place will move down to Tier-3.  Last place will move down to Tier-4.
• If you are in Tier-3: There will be 16 leagues -- first and second place from each league will move up to Tier-2 in 2012.  The top overall team from Tier-3 (criteria TBD) will move up to Tier-1.  3rd-11th place will remain in Tier-3, and last place will move down to Tier-4.
• If you sign up after PFFL 2011 is completely full: The first 20 signups will be placed in Tier-3 for 2012, and then the next 748 signups will guarantee a spot in Tier-4.  If that fills up, the next 3,072 signups will guarantee a spot in Tier-5.

What happens if somebody drops out after 2011? Inevitably, not everyone that plays in 2011 will return in 2012, meaning that their spot will need to be filled by someone from a lower tier.  What are the selection criteria for who gets to move up?  The exact criteria are TBD, but it will be done at the commissioner's discretion.  We will take into account several factors -- "on field" performance will certainly be critical, but we'll also reward people based on their contribution to the PFFL.  We want to encourage as much participation as possible -- talking smack, serving as a "League Commissioner," writing Game Recaps, making videos or other "content" contributions are just some of the ways you can contribute.  Recruiting new members is another.  All of this will be taken into consideration when the Commissioner selects people to move up to take the place of an open spot in a higher tier.

Quitters may be expelled: The worst thing that can happen to a Fantasy Football League is to have someone that "quits."  At the PFFL, we do everything we can to keep players active and engaged throughout the season, even if their team is out of it, but it's inevitable that some people will just quit.  When you don't start a proper lineup it affects the competitive balance of the entire league.  If it happens once we may forgive it, but we won't let quitters ruin it for everyone else -- if it becomes a problem, you will be expelled from the league and no refund will be offered.  We'll either let someone from a lower tier take over your team, or else someone from our waiting list.  If this happens and you still want to play the following year, you will have to start over from the lowest tier.

Collusion will not be tolerated: Any attempt to impact the competitive balance between two or more teams will simply not be tolerated.  If anyone ever suspects collusion, they should immediately report it to the Commissioner for investigation.  Lopsided trades, "tanking" you starting lineup, etc., are considered collusion -- if the Commissioner finds anyone guilty of this kind of behavior, all teams involved may be expelled.