The Art of the Unfair Deal

Okay, after the fourth week of the season you’re 1-3. Chester Taylor andAmos Zereoue are the only free agent running backs available that aren’t intraction. You’re even thinking about resurrectingRicky Williams based on sports radio rumors that he’s coming back. Instead, youlook at your competition and see that Team Nasty has Chris Brown, Fred Taylor,Curtis Martin, and Quentin Griffin. You’re a bit heavy with receivers with thelikes of I. Bruce, D. Jackson, Lelie, and Marvin Harrison, and you know Nastyis a Colts fan.

You offer Harrison for Chris Brown and Jerry Porter and Nasty bites on thedeal. Next thing you know, three otherowners are bitchin’ to the commissioner that Nasty will now have T. Owens, JoeHorn AND Harrison, and the super bowl winner is basically pre-determined.  The Commish thinks it’s pretty fair, butNasty is the Commish’s brother and there’s more than a crappy trophy at stake. Regardlessof whether the Commish decides to block or allow the trade, count on somedisgruntled owner bringing cheap beer to the draft next year (or worse, notbringing beer at all).

What should be a fun (and sometimes financially rewarding) game has turnedinto a simmering stew of distrust. The problem is your referee (the Commish) isalso a player in the league, and inevitably has an interest (real or perceived)in the outcome of any particular league dispute. Imagine letting Jeremy Shockey call penalties during a Giantsgame.

What’s a league to do? Your rulesneed to contain the Fantasy Bill Of Rights.

1^st Amendment

Each owner shall play fair and use good sportsmanship.  Each owner shall make transactions with theintent of improving their own team.

2^nd Amendment

The league commissioner shall use reasonable discretion to resolve leaguedisputes.

3^rd Amendment

If an owner disagrees with the league commissioner's decision regarding adispute, the owner has the right to have a neutral fantasy judge resolvethe dispute.

Imagine, an unbiased third party acting as the final arbitrator of leaguedisputes-- from unfair trades, to interpretation of ambiguous rules, tocomplaints that “the computer crashed when I tried to set my lineup.”  Once again, your owners will be able tosmoke the peace pipe together in the same room.

By Bill Green

www.FantasyDispute.com

FantasyDispute.com is an online service that resolves fantasy sportsdisputes the same day in a fair and inexpensive way. Neutral fantasy expertsrule on the propriety of trades or any other league dispute. FantasyDispute.commaintains the integrity of your league by using an outside expert to handledisputes between team owners or disputes involving your commissioner.

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