Planning Ahead For 2012 Classic League

Sandman62 · Post by **Sandman62** » Thu Feb 09, 2012 5:40 am

I know this probably won't be a popular option among diehards, but... any consideration to paying a 4th league spot? I mean, the 12-team Primetime pays 3 spots; why does the 14-team Classic only pay 3 also? I mean, 14-team leagues are harder already due to shallower draft and free agent pools. Why does it have to be harder to cash too?

For me personally, and maybe I'm just not as successful as some folks, but after winning our Classic and Primetime 3 years ago, we haven't cashed in either since. And I understand that the level of competition is meant to be fierce in these. Given that, it's understandable that more often than not, most teams (uh, 11 of 14!) are NOT going to cash in the Classic. [And this isn't sour grapes specifically for our teams this year or last; I honestly don't recall if we finished 4th or 8th or whatever.] But in principle, I'd like to see a shot of getting something for 4th place, even if 1/2 entry fee, as I still think that could be considered a pretty good season (unless of course 4th place across many Classic leagues consistently finished hundreds of points behind 3rd).

Even though the main goal of a main event is to strive for the big carrot, the reality is that only 1 of 322 teams will get that! So in the end, for me, I judge our fantasy football experiences on the more realistic "How many of our leagues did we cash in or have a good chance to cash but came up just short?". IOW, how many "good" teams did we manage this year? I know many focus on the 100k, or the 5k league prize or even just breaking near-even for 3rd place league finish. But I think adding a 4th payout spot would make 23 players per season (1 per league) at least feel like "At least I got SOMETHING back on this team - which wasn't even that bad a team if it finished in 4th of 14".

My 2 cents.

[ February 09, 2012, 11:43 AM: Message edited by: Sandman62 ]

The Franchise · Post by **The Franchise** » Thu Feb 09, 2012 6:26 am

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:
Okay, let me show you two options for the Classic under a new price point and give me your feedback. These are based on 322 teams again because going down to 280 can't be done without reducing the overall prizes by at least $25,000. We have taken this hit each year in the Classic and I'll have to do my best to convince everyone that this year we can sell it out at 322 teams.

So if we increase the Classic entry fee to $1,500, it generates about $25,000 in available prize funds if we sell out. That's among 23 leagues. So by keeping the grand prize at $100,000 and the overall prizes the same, you could make league prizes:

1st - $6,000
2nd - $2,500
3rd - $1,250

Overall Prizes
1st - $100,000
2nd - $15,000
3rd - $7,500
4th - $2,500
5th - $2,500
6th - $1,500
7th - $1,500
8th - $1,500
Consolation Round
1st - $2,500
2nd - $1,500
3rd - $1,500
4th - $1,500

Total Points regular season champ = $1,500

Combined Prizes with the Online Championship of $8,400

League prizes still aren't as strong as I'd like, but with three teams from each league making the Championship Round it does give a lot of teams a fighting chance to win $100,000. And if we grow above 322 teams, I'll definitely grow the league prizes first.

First place is enhanced within the league and now $3,500 would be on the line in a league playoff if two teams split h2h and total points. That's one area that could be addressed if we wanted to, maybe say if you don't win both h2h and total points after Week 13 for $6,000, then each team wins $3,000 and the remaining $2,500 is up for grabs. But that can be discussed later.

The $100,000 carrot and a slightly league prize is the goal here, obviously.

Some people addressed making the grand prize $75,000 and spreading the wealth among other top overall finishers. If you did that, it could look like this:

Overall Prizes
1st - $75,000
2nd - $25,000
3rd - $12,500
4th - $5,000
5th - $3,500
6th - $2,500
7th - $2,500
8th - $2,500
9th - $1,500
10th - $1,500

Thoughts? I like the second option here Greg. If you finish 2nd it is only a 50k difference as opposed to a 85k difference that it is now. And imagine that if you happen to finish 3rd your getting $12,500 rather than $7,500. It's a nice payday while still finishing in 3rd

BLACKHAND · Post by **BLACKHAND** » Thu Feb 09, 2012 6:33 am

2nd option looks good with maybe a little tweek on league prise. maybe cut off the payouts from 7th place and add higher league payout. numbers can be played with a little.

Quahogs · Post by **Quahogs** » Thu Feb 09, 2012 6:54 am

Option 2 Greg. More people walk away satisfied. After 8 years I suppose this will never go mainstream w/many preferring 12 teamers. So if it's going to hang around 300 then let's make it so more of us come away with nice payouts.

RedRyder · Post by **RedRyder** » Thu Feb 09, 2012 7:23 am

Originally posted by Quahogs:
Option 2 Greg. More people walk away satisfied. After 8 years I suppose this will never go mainstream w/many preferring 12 teamers. So if it's going to hang around 300 then let's make it so more of us come away with nice payouts. What he said.

TamuScarecrow · Post by **TamuScarecrow** » Thu Feb 09, 2012 7:30 am

Option 2 and can you get SANDMAN a copy of the 2010 mag where i explained in detail how to draft to win money consistently.

Glenneration X · Post by **Glenneration X** » Thu Feb 09, 2012 7:38 am

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Feb 09, 2012 7:39 am

Originally posted by Quahogs:
Option 2 Greg. More people walk away satisfied. After 8 years I suppose this will never go mainstream w/many preferring 12 teamers. So if it's going to hang around 300 then let's make it so more of us come away with nice payouts. So by Option 2 you are saying:

League Prize:
1st - $6,000
2nd - $2,500
3rd - $1,250

Overall Prizes
1st - $75,000
2nd - $25,000
3rd - $12,500
4th - $5,000
5th - $3,500
6th - $2,500
7th - $2,500
8th - $2,500
9th - $1,500
10th - $1,500

Is that correct?

If so, let's see how many agree with that assessment or if the $100,000 is the bigger lure. Here we have at least a nice increase in the league prize to $6,000 and a chance to win more money in the overall. Hopefully the carrot is still big enough, but let's hear from everyone first.

Thoughts everyone?

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Feb 09, 2012 7:44 am

My one concern here within the league prizes is the difference between 1st and 2nd. Again, if one team wins h2h and total points after Week 13 then that team deserves $6,000 and 2nd place gets $2,500 and a shot at the $100,000 grand prize and additional prize money. That's cool.

If two teams split h2h and total points, would you consider this proposal?

** Both teams get $3,000 and they play in Weeks 14-16 for the additional $2,500 prize and the league title. That way 1st place wins $5,500 and 2nd place gets $3,000. So there is a chance for 2nd place to double their money, but they have to at least win h2h or total points during the regular season.

Thoughts on that proposal?

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Feb 09, 2012 7:46 am

One more proposal:

Make the Classic 20 man rosters. We used to have that, switch to 19 and now Tom and I are leaning back to 20 players per team. With the early FAAB and other things going on in the NFL, maybe it's time to consolidate our rules and rosters and make both the Classic and Primetime 20-man rosters in 2012 and all years going forward.

Thoughts?