NFFC Adds Throwback Draft Champions League

[Greg Ambrosius]

We know the Draft Champions format is a popular league because everyone loves to draft and everyone loves a league where the computer picks your optimal scoring lineup. So we're trying to get creative here and add some more fun DC formats that are fun to do and easy to manage during the season.

One of the concepts that has been done in the industy before is a Draft Champions League where owners draft a full DC team from memory. This is a draft where there are no notes, no pens, no paper, no co-managers. We are proposing that concept in the NFFC this year and calling it the "Shut Up, Sit Down & Draft" Draft Champions League. It would be 12 guys making their picks from memory over 26 rounds and the computer would then pick their optimal scoring lineups for 26 rounds. It's a contest we would like to run in Las Vegas on the Second Weekend, but we could do it in any of the cities if demand was there for this fun contest.

Last year no contest ran this format in Las Vegas and thus we were asked by a few NFFC owners if we'd consider doing it this year. So as we're getting the site ready for 2015, I thought I'd put this one out there. I've compiled the rules for this format and will post them below and we are setting up a league for Thursday night, Sept. 10th in our private Bellagio Suite that will start right after that NFL Opener. I've set it up for 12 teams and 26 rounds. If there's demand for a 14-team format on that day or a different day, we can consider that. Heck, on the First Weekend in Las Vegas (and all cities) we are going to tighten the time between the Classic and the Primetime and could even do a Sit Down & Draft League on Saturday night then as well.

Also, I've set the entry fee for this debut event at $750 per team because I want to get it off the ground. I didn't want to set it too high and I didn't want to set it too low, but obviously that can be adjusted depending on demand. Just let me know as we talk this through. I just wanted to get this concept out there for now and see if there's any demand for this. It seems like a fun format, but you folks let me know. Again, we'll host this in the private suite and use the electronic boards to keep this moving. I have a feeling we can zip through 26 rounds with the right crew. Anyone interested?

Here's a look at the Rules and I'm interested in feedback on any of this. Thanks and look for this on Registration and part of our new Contest Pages when the site goes live during this month. Thanks all and here's to another great NFFC season!


OFFICIAL CONSTITUTION OF THE
NATIONAL FANTASY FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
SIT DOWN & DRAFT 12-TEAM DRAFT CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

1. Overview: The National Fantasy Football Championship Sit Down & Draft Draft Champions League will consist of 12 teams, with each team compiling 26 NFL players through a serpentine draft, using 3RR (3rd Round Reversal). Teams will compete in a year-long competition for the highest number of points, accumulating points from Week 1 through Week 16 from its highest scoring players from the 10 required positions. The team with the highest point total in each league after Week 16 will be determined the league champion. Leagues will pay off top three finishers and the cost of entry is $750 per team. The one difference in the Sit Down & Draft league from other DC leagues is that all owners must draft live in Las Vegas with no draft materials during the draft. They are making their picks from memory and will have no access to anything during the draft; no pens, no paper, not anything to write down during the draft. Everything is done from memory, while picks will be updated live on a projector screen as they happen. That’s it for tracking the draft. Owners are NOT allowed to have co-managers; only one owner per team live in Las Vegas.

2. Draft: The NFFC Sit Down & Draft League will hold its live draft on Thursday, Sept. 10th at the Bellagio Las Vegas right AFTER the Thursday Night NFL opener and all league members will have the benefit of knowing the completed results from that game. The order of each Draft Champions draft will be chosen randomly by the NFFC live on the spot and announced right there. Owners will pick their preferred draft spot as they are called out until all 12 spots are filled and the draft will then begin. It will be a sit down, shut up and draft starting format! This league will be formed on a first-come, first-served basis. The draft will go in order from Team #1 through Team #12 in the first round and then come back in reverse order in round two (Team #12 through Team #1). The third round will go back down to team #12 to start and then continue in serpentine fashion from that point on through the remaining rounds until every team has compiled 26 players. Each participant will have one minute to make a selection and the clock will begin for the next pick after that pick has been entered onto the draft board.

3. Prize Breakdown:
League Prizes:
First Place = $4,300
Second Place = $2,150
Third Place = $750

4. No Trading: Trading is not allowed during the NFFC season and owners are not allowed to trade draft picks.

5. Roster Requirements: Maximum of 26 players at all times.

6. Starting Lineup Requirements:
Starting lineups will consist of:
1 Quarterback
2 Running Backs
3 Wide Receivers
1 Tight End
1 Flex Player (RB, WR or TE)
1 Kicker
1 Team Defense/Specials Team

7. Scoring: Players can accumulate points in a number of ways:
PASSING:
• .05 points for every yard passing (works out to 1 point every 20 yards).
• 6 points for every passing touchdown
• 2 points for every 2-Point conversion
• minus 2 points for every interception and lost fumble
RUSHING:
• .10 points for every yard rushing (works out to 1 point every 10 yards).
• 6 points for every rushing TD
• 2 points for every 2-Point conversion
• minus 1 point for every lost fumble
• 6 points for a recovered offensive fumble for a touchdown (RB, QB, WR, TE)
RECEIVING:
• .10 points for every yard receiving (works out to 1 point every 10 yards).
• 6 points for every receiving TD
• 1 point for every reception for all players
• 2 points for every 2-Point conversion
• minus 1 point for every lost fumble
KICKING:
• 1 point for every extra point
• 3 points for every field goal from 1-30 yards
• 3 points for every field goal plus .10 points for every yard after 30 yards (i.e. a 47-yard field goal would be worth 4.7 points)
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS:
• 1 point for every sack
• 2 points for every interception or opponents' fumble recovery
• 6 points for every touchdown (interception return, defensive fumble return, punt or kickoff return, blocked field goal return, blocked punt return). All special teams and defensive points are awarded to the team responsible. Individual players who also score a TD on special teams will receive 6 points for their fantasy teams. Also, any lost fumble or “muff” on a specials team play now results in negative points for that individual player. Should a kicker, punter or field goal holder throw a pass off a fake attempt, however, the offensive output for that offensive play would go towards the individual player, not the specials team.
• 2 points for every safety
• 12 points for a shutout by the entire team
• 8 points for allowing 2-7 points by the entire team
• 4 points for allowing 8-12 points by the entire team
• 2 points for allowing 13-17 points by the entire team
• 2 points for allowing 13-17 points by the entire team

8. Free Agent Acquisitions: There are no in-season free agent pickups in the Draft Champions League. What you draft is what you get.

9. The Draft: The Sit Down & Draft Draft Champions League will be held at the Bellagio Las Vegas on Thursday, Sept. 10th right AFTER the Thursday Night NFL Opener at a cost of $750 per owner. All league members will have the benefit of knowing the completed results from that game and those results do count in Week 1. No team can have a co-manager in the draft room. Participants will sit in the order of their team number order. The Sit Down & Draft Draft Champions League will be a non-smoking event.

A. League Management Web Address: STATS LLC will manage the NFFC and provide real-time stats online. You can access your league via the Internet by going to http://nffc.stats.com

B. Scoring: There will be no lineup submission for the Sit Down & Draft Draft Champions league. The computer will give each team an optimal fantasy point total each week from their top-scoring QB, 2RBs, 3 WRs, TE, K, D/ST and Flex Player. Teams will accumulate these optimal point totals each week for 16 weeks. Scores in the NFFC are finalized with no changes possible after 6 p.m. EST each Thursday after the weekend games.

10. League Structure: This league will consist of 12 teams competing in an optimal scoring format for the league title. Teams will be assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis for the Sit Down & Draft Draft Champions League. Teams will compete for points from Week 1 through Week 16 of the NFL season. The top three scoring teams in this league after Week 16 will be awarded prize money.

11. Random League/Draft Spot Selections: The NFFC Sit Down & Draft Draft Champions league will fill on a first-come, first-serve basis. We will implement the Kentucky Derby Style process for this league to allow owners more draft preference, but we will do this live in the draft room. We will randomly select owners live at the event and when called out that owner will sit in the open spot of their preference. This will continue until all 12 spots are full.

12. Tie-breaker procedures. If after 16 regular season games, teams are tied for first place, second place or third place, the prize money will be added together and split evenly.

13. Draft Rules:
1. Time Limit: Each participant will have a one-minute time limit from the moment the draft facilitator tells him/her that they are on the clock to make their selection. The participant will be told when there is 15 seconds left by the draft facilitator and a countdown from five seconds will go until time has expired. The draft facilitator will have final say on whether a pick was called out in time or not. If a participant does not make a selection within one minute, he/she will be passed over until the next participant makes a player selection. The passed-over player goes back on the clock for one minute after the selection is made. The draft facilitator also has final say on the announcement of the picks as the pick becomes final AFTER he/she announces the pick.
2. Seating: Every team will have one draft spot available at the table and each team will be seated in their draft order.
3. Trading: There is no trading allowed during the NFFC season and no in-season moves. What you draft is what you get for the whole season.
4. Electronic Equipment: None for the Sit Down & Draft League. Nothing at all at the draft table; not even a pen and a piece of paper. Nothing.
5. Smoking/Drinking: Smoking will not be allowed in the Draft Room. Food and drink will be available during and before the draft.
6. Breaks: There will be a 10-minute break after Round 10 and after Round 20. We will finish the draft after the break.
7. League Management: The league will be available via the Internet at http://nffc.stats.com.

14. Trades between managers: To minimize the possibility of collusion, there will be no trading allowed.

15. League Structure: The NFFC Sit Down & Draft Draft Champions League consists of 12 teams/managers drafting 26 rounds with one minute per pick and no draft materials. There will be two 10-minute breaks after Rounds 10 and 20. There are no in-season pickups after Draft Day; what you draft is what you have for the rest of the season and the computer picks an optimal scoring lineup each week for 16 weeks. The team with the best score after Week 16 wins the league title.

16. Food & Drink At Live Events: Yes at this event, which will be held in a private suite at the Bellagio Las Vegas.

No charges are run for any signups until the league fills and never before Aug. 1st.

17. League Prizes. There are no overall prizes in the NFFC Sit Down & Draft Draft Champions League. This league is private and pays the Top 3 finishers.

18. League Setup: The Sit Down & Draft Draft Champions League will be held at the Bellagio Las Vegas on Thursday, Sept. 10th right AFTER the Thursday Night NFL Opener. This league uses Third Round Reversal, so the draft order is 1-12 in Round 1, 12-1 in Round 2, 12-1 in Round 3 and then 1-12, 12-1 every round after that. The draft goes on for 26 rounds. The computer then picks the optimal scoring lineup of each team through 16 weeks of action and the team with the most points after Week 16 wins the league prize.

19. Refunds: Once a participant submits valid payment, no money will be refunded unless the NFFC event for which such participant has registered has been canceled. A team spot is considered filled when the entire entry fee is paid. STATS reserves the right to cancel any entries which are not part of a full league. In addition, STATS retains the right to deny, at its sole discretion, eligibility of any individual to register for any NFFC game or event and/or participate in any NFFC game or event, even after the registration fee has been paid, but in such case, the entry fee will be refunded. Under no condition shall STATS be held responsible for any loss or liability related to any expenses incurred by a denied entrant or any person affiliated with that denied entrant. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event that any participant or co-manager is banned from the NFFC as the result of any violation of the Official Rules, then no refund will be given.

20. Cancellation: At its sole discretion, STATS reserves the right to terminate any NFFC game, event or league at any time prior to the completion of the season due to any acts of God, natural disasters, terrorism, change in applicable law, interruption of the season (including strikes, lockouts and/or use of replacement players), or any other situation beyond the control of STATS. In the event of any such termination by STATS, all entry fees will be refunded, with the exception of any live event fees (if such live event has already occurred).
At its sole discretion, STATS reserves the right to terminate any NFFC game, event or league (including the National Fantasy Football Championship Main Event) if there are an insufficient number of teams prior to the scheduled start of the league. In this unlikely event, STATS will refund all entry fees within 48 hours of cancellation notice and/or provide a new application form with the newly stated prize figures. In this situation, all pre-registered applicants have the right to a full refund or to agree to play for the newly announced prize structure. STATS is not responsible for any loss or liability incurred by any participant or co-managers due to cancellation of any NFFC game, event or league, including but not limited to travel or hotel expenses, time taken off from employment, etc.

21. Taxes. If the principal team owner's prize winnings are $600.00 or greater (or any other threshold subsequently established by the IRS), the National Fantasy Football Championship (“NFFC”) must file a Form 1099 with the IRS at the end of this calendar year. We will request your social security number and signature on this form. The form contains the amount paid to you and you will receive a copy of the form for tax purposes. STATS pays the principal team owner of each NFFC team that was submitted on the entry form and you are responsible for paying any taxes that result from your cash prize; please consult your income tax advisor for filing advice. In the event that the awarding of any prizes to winners of the Contest is challenged by any legal authority, STATS reserves the right in its sole discretion to determine whether or not to award such prizes. After 12 months, any unclaimed prize will be forfeited.

22. Eligibility; Registration: The National Fantasy Football Championship is open to individuals who are at least 18 years of age (or the age of majority in your state of residence) and are a resident of the United States of America or Canada. Notwithstanding the foregoing, residents of Washington State, Louisiana, Montana, Arizona, Iowa, and Vermont are not eligible to register or play in the NFFC. All registrations must be in the full legal name of the primary team owner, though owners will have the option to add a co-manager(s).

23. Official Rules: Registration for, and continued participation in, the National Fantasy Football Championship constitutes your full and unconditional agreement to these official rules (“Official Rules”) and to STATS’ decisions relating thereto. STATS’ decisions in regards to these Official Rules and all matters pertaining to the National Fantasy Football Championship are final and binding.

24. Code of Conduct: All participants and co-managers are expected to behave in lawful, respectful and sportsman-like fashion at all live draft events, throughout the NFFC season, and during use of any NFFC website, including, but not limited to comments posted on any NFFC message board. Additionally the NFFC events, games and/or leagues may not be used for any form of gambling. Any conduct or message board post by a participant, co-manager or other person which is deemed by STATS, in its sole discretion, to be unlawful, or to have the effect of intimidating, harassing, offending or otherwise harming any other participant, co-manager, guest, or NFFC/STATS representative, is strictly prohibited. STATS reserves the right, in its sole discretion to ban any person from current and/or future participation in the NFFC and/or from use of the message boards if such person engages in any such prohibited conduct or is otherwise in violation of any of these Rules. In addition, any person engaging in such conduct forfeits any rights to a refund, as well as any potential rights to a prize award. STATS shall not be responsible or held liable to any person for damage to property or personal injury or death arising from the acts or omissions of any third parties. Any participants or co-managers who collude, or attempt to collude, or who attempts to blackmail, bribe or otherwise influence any representative of STATS/NFFC, or who otherwise attempts to sabotage the league, in an effort to alter the results or outcome of any NFFC game will be disqualified and will be prohibited from winning any prize award. If a participant is banned from participation in a current NFFC game, then STATS reserves the right, to take those actions which it sees fit, in its sole discretion with respect to such banned participant’s team. Any criminal behavior may be referred to the appropriate authorities.

25. Errors: The deadline for submitting any dispute or claim regarding the operation of any league draft is one hour after the conclusion of the draft itself; further, leaving any live draft event without submitting any dispute or claim regarding the draft constitutes your waiver of any right to challenge any aspect of the draft. You are strongly urged to double-check your lineups, trades, and free agent moves throughout the season, as STATS/NFFC will not be held liable for any errors in entering lineups, trades or free agent moves, and STATS/NFFC will not intervene or alter a transaction after lineups, trades or free agent moves are due.

26. Prize Splitting: Prize splitting amongst the principal registrant and co-managers is available, provided that the principal registrant has authorized payment to his co-managers in writing and in advance of the completion of the season. In order to authorize prize-splitting, the principal registrant must completely fill out and sign the authorization form designated by STATS (including the name and address of the co-manager(s) and the applicable prize percentage to be paid to each co-manager(s)). Both the principal registrant and each co-manager designated on a prize-splitting form will be required to fill out a W-9. No prize money will be distributed until all necessary forms have been received by STATS. Both the principal registrant and the co-manager(s) will receive IRS Form 1099 reflecting the prize money paid to each. If STATS deems, in its sole discretion, that the appropriate documentation and/or authorization has not been received, or has not been received in a timely fashion, then STATS will pay prize payments only to the principal registrant.

27. Communication and Access: All NFFC team owners must have internet access and a valid e-mail address for communication. STATS is not responsible for any issues which impede or interfere with the transmission or receipt of any transaction, including but not limited to, draft selections, trades, free agent moves and lineups. STATS is also not responsible for the failure of any telephone networks/lines, internet connections, software/hardware, or internet congestion/transmission rates.

28. Hold Harmless: Each participant and co-owner hereby releases and holds harmless STATS and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries, and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives from and against any and all liability for any injuries, losses or damages of any kind to person (including death) and property, arising in whole or in part, directly or indirectly from participation in any NFFC event, game or league, as well as acceptance or use of any prize award.

29. Disputes; Limitation of Liability; Disclaimer: Each participant and co-owner agrees that (i) all issues and questions regarding the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or your rights and obligations in connection with the NFFC shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the state of Illinois, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules; and (ii) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with the NFFC or any prize awarded will be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, or the appropriate state court located in Cook County, Illinois; and (iii) in no event shall STATS liability to you for any and all damages, losses or causes of action exceed $250; and (iv) in no event shall STATS, its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries, and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives, be liable for any punitive, incidental and consequential damages. If your jurisdiction does not allow limitations or exclusions of liability for incidental or consequential damages, the above may not apply to you. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, EACH NFFC GAME, EVENT, LEAGUE,WEBSITE, AND BULLETIN BOARD/FORUM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. IF YOUR JURISDICTION DOES NOT ALLOW FOR THE EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES, THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

30. STATS PASS: In the event that you have purchased a STATSPASS® subscription, then the following additional Terms and Conditions shall apply throughout your subscription period:
1. Your username/password are personal to you, and shall not be shared with, or used by, any third party.
2. During your subscription period, STATS hereby grants to you a non-exclusive license to utilize STATSPASS® and the data contained therein, solely for your personal use. This grant of license is expressly limited to the use described herein, and no additional rights or licenses are included. Any other use, including any commercial or non-personal use of STATSPASS® or use by any person other than you, is strictly prohibited, and shall be considered an Unauthorized Use.
3. In the event of any Unauthorized Use, in addition to any other remedies to which STATS shall be entitled, STATS shall have the right to immediately terminate your STATSPASS® subscription, without notice.
4. Subscription fees are non-refundable.
5. STATSPASS® IS LICENSED TO YOU "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OR GUARANTEE OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT WILL STATS BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY LOST PROFITS, LEGAL PENALTIES, OR OTHER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE STATSPASS® AND/OR THE DATA ACCESSED THROUGH STATSPASS®. STATS’ LIABILITY HEREUNDER SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE SUMS RECEIVED BY STATS IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR STATSPASS® SUBSCRIPTION.
6. You shall not copy, database, archive, save, or otherwise store any data accessed through STATSPASS®.

31. Player Eligibility: Players will be eligible at one position during the NFFC season and designated for that position before the season by STATS. Should a player move to another primary position before the start of the season, the NFFC reserves the right to give that player a second eligible position. No player will ever lose the eligibility originally designated by the NFFC, but a second position could be added if deemed necessary by the NFFC. All decisions made by the NFFC commissioner regarding eligibility are final.

[calsuer]

Think I would be interested. (95% sure this would work). Sounds like a real challenge.

[BillyWaz]

It is a fun, fun concept (played it before).

IF I go to Vegas this year (a big if), I would definitely be interested.

[Greg Ambrosius]

It is a fun, fun concept (played it before).

IF I go to Vegas this year (a big if), I would definitely be interested.

You're the head guy at that school Billy, who's telling you that you can't go to Vegas!!! See ya there.

[BillyWaz]

It is a fun, fun concept (played it before).

IF I go to Vegas this year (a big if), I would definitely be interested.

You're the head guy at that school Billy, who's telling you that you can't go to Vegas!!! See ya there.

Head guy???? My room doesn't have a nameplate, and my salary is significantly lower than the "higher ups".

All about the time off.......might try and make it an NYC/Vegas back to back weekend!

[Greg Ambrosius]

Sounds good Billy. We'd love to have you in both locations if you can swing it. And who needs a nameplate in the office when they have an NFFC Hall of Fame plaque hanging on the wall!!

Just a heads up on this contest that we have been asked to change the name since it is used elsewhere in the industry. I thought Perry had introduced this concept to the WCOFF long ago, but I guess I was wrong. Anyway, we'll change this to the "Sit Down & Draft" DC, even though it's really the "Shut Up, Sit Down & Draft" DC. If you have a better name for it, feel free to post them here. We're open for a name change that doesn't ruffle any feathers!! Bring it on.

But the same concept remains. No notes, no help, no papers, nothing but beer and your brains in a private suite for 3 hours. Should be a LOT of fun. Let's do it. The price point in modest, but the enjoyment will be worth it. Thanks all and let's find 12 owners who can hack it.

Who's in? And who has a better name for this contest?!!

[76erfan]

is it just a vegas thing or is it possible to do something like this in NYC as well?

[Greg Ambrosius]

is it just a vegas thing or is it possible to do something like this in NYC as well?

Yes, we can do this at any live event. We could easily do this in New York City and again the entry fee can be whatever you guys agreed on. I just put Vegas on Second Weekend because Thursday night after the game could work well. Saturday night in NYC could also work well. No problem getting this together in New York or Chicago or First Weekend Las Vegas, too.

[Greg Ambrosius]

I like KJ's suggestion for the name of this league: NFFC Throwback Draft Champions League. I like it. I even have some great throwback jerseys to wear to the draft. This is the front-runner right now!!

[greenwichsttavern]

Greg, like Andy said this will definitely work in NYC as well. Always liked the idea of a draft like this