Commish 101: Finding Replacement Owners

Coin Flip Posted On July 24, 2015

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If you have ever been a commissioner or are thinking about being one you will face league openings over the course of time. Dynasty, keeper or contract leagues begin with the idea they are forever or at least very long term. Unfortunately, this is not true for everyone. Re-draft leagues are not considered long term, although you may hold several owners from year-to-year.

Finding Redraft Replacements

This can be simple.

I am going to expand on my experiences and ideas on how to find replacement owners as this article continues. When looking for redraft replacement owners or draftmaster leagues that redraft yearly, I am willing to take a chance on an owner more times than a dynasty. The main reason is because there is not a long term commitment. If the commissioner does not want to retain an owner they are not obligated. If you get the occasional hot head or dramatic owner you can simply part ways at the end of the season. When I have experienced the dramatic owner and know I will not be retaining this owner next year I like to reach out to the other owners letting them know my intent. The last thing I want is to lose good owners because they do not wish to play in leagues with the dramatic owner.

There is a flipside to this experience as well.

When you, as an owner join a redraft league, there is short term commitment as well. If you discover you do not like a league rule, the draft process or timing of the draft or possibly the drama owner, you do not have to return the following year. There are no strings attached.

When I recruit for a redraft opening I often stumble across an owner I am going to begin a league relationship with for the first time. Many times that turns into an ideal owner for a dynasty opening down the road or a repeat redraft opening. If you are a commissioner of multiple leagues you will find several owners jumping on board for future openings – this is the perfect storm. This can create a long term relationship between the commissioner and the owner even if it is for leagues that redraft yearly. This owner can be very valuable.

Reasons for Vacancies

[inlinead]Early on in my dynasty commissioner days, I took it personally when owners would leave my leagues. Who hasn’t felt that feeling at one point or another? I rarely take it personally any longer. The dismal fact is there are owners who are not committed for the long haul. The last thing you want as a commissioner is an owner who does not want to be in your league for whatever the reason – this causes less activity, poor trades, no trades, slow draft times, missed lineups and voting on league changes can suffer. This is not a good experience for the league as a whole.

There are many unforeseen reasons owners leave leagues. One of the most common reasons is “too many leagues.” If you play in multiple leagues and are the best of owners, this can still be you! We all have tendencies to over indulge at times. I have learned to accept this reason with less anguish when remembering activity is key. If an owner has too many leagues their team is likely to suffer. I would rather replace that owner with an active one. It is better for the league as a whole. Other reasons owners leave leagues are job changes, health issues, financial hurdles, child births and marital status. Yes, believe it or not getting married can hinder your fantasy football time! How many times have you heard “GET OFF THAT COMPUTER!” Or….”are you drafting again?” My favorite is when I am drafting and we are leaving for dinner and I say just one more minute because I am close to making a trade for this draft pick. Before I know it I have asked for one more minute for the past 20 minutes and everyone is in the car but me. Once my husband tried scaring me by driving around the block and making me feel like he left me. Geesh, it is May for goodness sakes, IT IS DRAFT MONTH!

Finding Replacement Owners for Dynasty Leagues

My focus is to target longevity and activity. If you have a relationship with an owner in another league you know his or her tendencies relative to activity. If he or she is interested in your league that can be one of the easiest replacements. Referrals from current owners are a great avenue as well. Referrals usually come from owners who enjoy your league. They want to share it with a friend or someone they know will be a good fit – this also shows how important the league is to the owner offering the referral because they want the league to stay competitive.

When recruiting for owners you are not familiar with, it requires a more creative approach. Your first focus should be to understand your current league owners. If you have a league that drafts quickly, you do not want to find a replacement with long draft delay reasons. One question I ask when I know the league is prompt at drafting is “Do you have the ability to draft while at work?” Even if it is limited availability, which I define as breaks and lunches, it can be practical and a nice fit. What would not work is someone about to leave for vacation or who does not have access at work. If the new owner is limited for long periods of time it will only create an uncomfortable experience. The new owner may feel pressure from current owners to draft faster. You are trying to prevent the repeat opening. Knowing your league is helpful.

I always suggest letting the new owner know what you expect. Activity comes in many forms. I do not necessarily expect every owner to be chatting on the message board all day, but I do expect them to reply timely to trade offers, league polls, set lineups, pay on time and contribute opinions and thoughts when rule changes are proposed. You can create a questionnaire if you like for new owners to complete when applying for the opening. You can ask for current league websites they are in to research their level of activity. This history can also show any moments they had at creating or diffusing drama in a league. If a possible new owner shares that he has been in a league for five years but when you research that league history you notice he has only been in the league one year this could be a red flag. You want honest owners. You could notice a familiar team in a league the possible new owner plays in and reach out to that person for an opinion.

Whether you find your replacement owner through referrals, questionnaires, past or current league websites or from current owners you commish in other leagues remember new blood in a league can spark activity. The new owner may have different player values and create trades that were not seen by a previous owner who left your league. Do not take an opening in your league negatively but rather embrace it. Look at it as a fresh addition to your league and a form of keeping your league appealing to those who continue to follow through with their long term commitment. You care about your league and finding new owners should be seen as an opportunity.

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