14-Team NFFC Kickoff Gridiron League: Thursday, Sept. 7

[Greg Ambrosius]

We have established the perfect league just before kickoff of the NFL's 2017 season in the NFFC Kickoff Gridiron League. This unique league where owners bid with actual money for their first round spots and then do it again for their second round spots -- with all of the money returning to owners in weekly prizes - is unlike any other league we have in the NFFC.

This is a Draft Champions League, so it's "best ball" scoring after the draft is done. The key difference is the way owners bid for their first round picks and the way in which they bid for the second round pick, which then sets them in a draft order the rest of the way. Winning league prizes worth $650 or more is also pretty unique and nice in this format.

Last year we had such demand for this contest that we sold out all 14 spots early and actually had extra owners who wanted to get into this format. Last year's participants again have through May 31st to reclaim their spots in this league and if anyone fails to return we'll take new members in order of signups. The 14-team format is ideal for this contest as it makes the DC tougher and puts more money into the weekly prize pool. We should easily fill all 14 spots again this year.

Mark Moyer is the defending champion of this league and he has now won this title two of the last three years. Other past winners include:

2012 - Chris Schinker/Shawn Childs
2013 - John Rozek
2014 - Mark Moyer
2015 - KJ Duke
2016 - Mark Moyer

We do have the Bellagio Penthouse Executive Suite for this draft, which will start at 1 pm PT on Thursday, Sept. 7th. The NFL season opener starts at 4:30 pm PT, so this draft must be done before then. If we can start a little earlier than 1 pm PT that would be great. The setup is great for this league, so it should be a lot of fun.

Here's a look at the Rules and Prizes for this league:

OFFICIAL CONSTITUTION OF THE NATIONAL FANTASY FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP KICKOFF GRIDIRON LEAGUE - 14 TEAMS

1. Overview
The National Fantasy Football Championship Kickoff Gridiron League will consist of 14 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.

This league will pay off the top three finishers and the cost of entry is $1,000 per team. An additional $500 will be collected separately from each owner along with the bids from each team for draft spots in Round 1 and Round 2 to form an additional prize pool. That prize pool will pay the top scoring team in each of the 16 weeks (1/16th of the prize pool each week).

The unique twist to this league is that NFFC owners will use real money to bid for their draft spots in Rounds 1 and 2, with all of that money being divided up and awarded to each of the 16 weekly winners (plus the additional $500 fee per owner). Bidding will be done for pick No. 1 in Round 1 and whoever wins that bid will pay that amount into a side pot and will immediately make a pick. Then pick 2 of Round 1 goes on the auction block and is bid on with the winning bid total also going into the side pot. That owner also makes his/her pick right away. This goes on through Round 1 with all bids being made in $10 increments. Then a new set of bidding starts in Round 2 using actual dollars and the spot you win in Round 2 is the spot you have for the rest of the Gridiron draft. The first pick being put up in Round 2 is No. 14, which will be the first pick in Round 2 and in Round 3. Open bidding is done for that pick and the amount of the winning player goes into the side pot. That owner then makes his pick and we continue this for all 14 picks of Round 2. Round 3 starts with the 14th pick since we are using Third Round Reversal and continues in serpentine fashion through Round 26. Let’s say $16,000 was accumulated in the auction for draft picks in Rounds 1 and 2 plus the $500 per team. That would mean that the weekly high point total in each week of the season would earn $1,000 on top of any year-end money that is paid out.

2. Draft
The Kickoff Gridiron League will hold its draft in Las Vegas on Thursday, Sept. 7th at 1 pm PT. Bidding of actual dollars will be done in Round 1 with each owner making his/her pick after winning the bid and then a whole new set of bidding will be done for the picks in Round 2, again using actual dollars. All money accumulated from the bidding is put in a side pot and paid out 100 percent to each of the 16 weekly high point winners. Teams pick 26 rounds in a draft that uses Third Round Reversal and the computer picks the optimal scoring lineup for each team over 16 weeks. Here’s how the draft order will go:

Round 1: 1-14 (Owners bid actual dollars for their draft spot)
Round 2: 14-1 (Owners bid actual dollars for their draft spot and then stay in that spot the rest of the way)
Round 3: 14-1
Round 4: 1-14
Round 5: 14-1
Round 6: 1-14
Round 7: 14-1
Round 8: 1-14
Round 9: 14-1
Round 10: 1-14
Round 11: 14-1
Round 12: 1-14
Round 13: 14-1
Round 14: 1-14
Round 15: 14-1
Round 16: 1-14
Round 17: 14-1
Round 18: 1-14
Round 19: 14-1
Round 20: 1-14
Round 21: 14-1
Round 22: 1-14
Round 23: 14-1
Round 24: 1-14
Round 25: 14-1
Round 26: 1-14

3. Prizes
Place League
1st $6,500
2nd $3,500
3rd $1,500
Weekly Prizes are awarded from the draft slot bidding pool with 100 percent of money going out in prizes. The total amount of that bidding pool is divided equally among the 16 weekly winners.

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

The computer picks your optimal scoring lineup at the end of each week for 16 weeks. The top 3 highest scoring teams at the end of the season wins prize money and each of the highest scoring teams in Weeks 1 through 16 also earn prize money based on the total amount of money spent in the auction.

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
minus 1 point for every 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
2 points for every touchdown scored on a failed PAT or 2-point conversion
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

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 NFFC Kickoff Gridiron will be held on Thursday, Sept. 7th at 1 pm PT in Las Vegas for $1,000 per team and any amount of money that an owner spends during the auction. All participants and co-managers will sit in the order of their team number order determined by the Round 2 bidding. The Kickoff Gridiron League will be a non-smoking event. Use of electronic equipment (cell phones and laptops) is allowed, but there will not be Internet connections or electrical outlets available. Bring your own battery if you want to use a laptop.
A. League Management Web Address: SportsHub will manage the NFFC and provide real-time stats online. You can access your league via the Internet by going to http://nffc.sportshubtech.com.
B. Scoring: There will be no lineup submission for the Kickoff Gridiron 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
Each league will consist of 14 teams competing for the league title and weekly prizes. Teams will compete for points from Week 1 through Week 16 of the NFL season. The top three scoring teams in each league after Week 16 will be awarded prize money, along with each weekly high point team.

11. Random League/Draft Spot Selections
The NFFC Kickoff Gridiron League uses an auction to determine the order of Round 1 and the order of Round 2. The order of the remaining draft is set by the winning bids of Round 2. If you win the 14th pick in Round 2, you have the 14th pick from Rounds 2 through 26.

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
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.

Seating: Every team will have two draft spots available at the table and each team will be seated in their draft order.

Trading: There is no trading allowed during the NFFC season.

Electronic Equipment: Participants can use electronic equipment during the draft as long as it fits in the allotted draft spot at the table. There will be no Internet connections or electrical outlets, so participants bringing laptops will have to supply their own power. Cell phones are allowed at the draft table, but we encourage participants to use them sparingly and not in a way that interrupts the draft process.

Smoking/Drinking: Smoking will not be allowed in the Draft Room. There will be a cash bar available in the Draft Room, but we ask that each participant drink responsibly.

Breaks: There will be a 15-minute break after Round 10 and after Round 20. We will finish the draft after the second break.
League Management: The league will be available via the Internet at http://nffc.sportshubtech.com. Live scoring is available on your team page.

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

15. League Structure
The NFFC Kickoff Gridiron League consists of 14 teams/managers drafting 26 rounds with one minute per pick. There will be 15-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
The NFFC provides food and drink at the NFFC Kickoff Gridiron League draft. There is no Events Fee or co-manager fee for this event.
No charges are run for any sign-ups until the league fills.

17. League Prizes
There are no overall prizes in the NFFC Kickoff Gridiron League. This league is private and pays the Top 3 finishers.

18. League Setup
See No. 2 above for more details. The NFFC Kickoff Gridiron League uses Third Round Reversal, so the draft order is 1-14 in Round 1, 14-1 in Round 2, 14-1 in Round 3 and then 1-14, 14-1 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. SportsHub reserves the right to cancel any entries which are not part of a full league. In addition, SportsHub 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 SportsHub 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, SportsHub 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 SportsHub. In the event of any such termination by SportsHub, 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, SportsHub 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, SportsHub 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. SportsHub 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. SportsHub 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, SportsHub 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, Virginia and Iowa 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 SportsHub’s decisions relating thereto. SportsHub’s 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 SportsHub, 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/SportsHub representative, is strictly prohibited. SportsHub 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. SportsHub 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 SportsHub/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 SportsHub 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 SportsHub/NFFC will not be held liable for any errors in entering lineups, trades or free agent moves, and SportsHub/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 SportsHub (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 SportsHub. Both the principal registrant and the co-manager(s) will receive IRS Form 1099 reflecting the prize money paid to each. If SportsHub 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 SportsHub 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. SportsHub 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. SportsHub 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 SportsHub 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. Player Eligibility
Players will be eligible at one position during the NFFC season and designated for that position before the season by SportsHub. 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.

[moyer1313]

I'll be back!

Thank you,
Mark
Follow Me

[kjduke]

I'll email last year's guys to see how many open spots we have. Greg is so excited over this league I can't even gauge interest before he posts the rules! Last year we discussed doing a 14 and a 12 teamer because too many guys wanted in. If the 14 fills early I may see if there's a chance to fill a 12, too. But we'll start with the 14-teamer since that is really a better fit for this format with more valuable slot bidding and a higher weekly prize. Last season we paid $880 each week to the high scorer.

[kjduke]

At least one slot is open for a new guy. EDIT: OK, this one's filled already. Matt Modica is in.

So far 11 of 12 are returning and the first open slot has been filled.

[Greg Ambrosius]

Pretty impressive, I must admit. Not only this one but the interest in a 12-teamer as well. This is going to be a fun, long day starting with the 14-Team Super Auction in the morning and the two Kickoff Gridiron Leagues sandwiched around the NFL Opener on Thursday night.

Are you ready for some football?

[kjduke]

Bumping this up, haven't heard back from Joe Nowak or Michael Cole, so possibly two spots open in this one.

Greg, have you heard from either?

[Greg Ambrosius]

Bumping this up, haven't heard back from Joe Nowak or Michael Cole, so possibly two spots open in this one.

Greg, have you heard from either?

I have not, but I can call both today. I do know that Stephen Stith has signed up and is ready to go and Robert Rose also wants to join if he can work out his travel schedule for this weekend. So we are close. And we're also only 1 away from selling out the 12-team Kickoff Gridiron League, so I'll have to add that to Registration. You folks surprised me with the interest in these two this year, but it's a pleasant surprise. Damn, that Thursday night is going to be wild in the suite. I better load up on drinks!!

[kjduke]

M Cole is in, just need to hear back from Joe.

[kjduke]

Kasten can't make Vegas this year, so we have one spot open for sure. Still waiting to hear from Joe.

[Tom Kessenich]

Joe Nowak is back in. He'll be signing up soon.

2017 Gridiron
1. KJ Duke
2. Mark Moyer
3. Jules McLean
4. Ramon Valentin
5. Kenny Stratton
6. Marc Meltzer
7. Matt Modica ♦
8. Scott Stauffer
9. Matt Shepherd
10. Scott Keikoan
11. Joe Corris
12. Michael Cole
13. Joe Nowak
14. Stephen Stith