American Fantasy Football League^®

2008 Rules and Regulations

 

Click here for the 2008 Individual and One and Done League Rules

 

Game of Skill: The American Fantasy Football League (AFFL) is a game of skill that offers guaranteed cash awards to participants. AFFL contestants take part in an activity, the outcome of which is clearly based on the contestant’s skills and abilities, including skills in such areas as (1) the prediction of the future performance of athletes over a significantly extended time period and not just a single game or a single performance; (2) the skill in drafting such athletes;(3) the skill and ability in creating a balanced fantasy team from such individual athletes; and (4)the skills and strategies surrounding the appropriate understanding and use of the rules governing tournament competition in the AFFL.

For entry fee and prize information, see Section 16 of the Rules and Regulations, or the prizes chart on the AFFL.com home page.

 

The American Fantasy Football League (AFFL) is brought to you by Chicago Fantasy Sports L.L.C. (CFS). The AFFL was designed to be an elite, high-class venue in which participants can experience the challenge and excitement of fantasy football. Four levels of tournament style play will be described in the following sections. Participants are permitted to join multiple levels. All four tournament style levels will have a live, online draft. The AFFL uses a head to head regular season combined with points based playoffs to determine the prize winners.

 

1. GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE, COPPER, AND IRON LEVEL OVERVIEW 

 

The Gold level will consist of a maximum of 50 leagues with 12 teams per league. The Silver, Bronze, and Copper levels will consist of a maximum of 100 leagues with 12 teams per league. The Iron level (a free level), has unlimited participation, and is intended for new AFFL participants. The AFFL regular season schedule will begin with the NFL’s Week 1, and conclude with the NFL’s Week 11. A League Championship Game will be held for each league on the NFL’s Week 12. In the Gold level, the League Champions from each league, the league Runners-up, and up to 15 wildcard teams will qualify for their respective AFFL Championship Playoffs. In the Silver, Bronze, and Copper the League Champions from each league, the league Runners-up, and up to 30 wildcard teams will qualify for their respective AFFL Championship Playoffs. Each of these six levels will have a Grand Champion, which will be the winner of its AFFL Championship Playoff. The Championship and Consolation Playoffs will be held from the NFL’s Week 13 through the NFL’s Week 16.

 

2. SIGN-UP/REGISTRATION

 

Participants must complete a simple registration form on the AFFL.com website via the sign-up link. Payment must be received for sign-up to be official.  Acceptable forms of payment are credit card, check, cashiers check, money order or PayPal. At the time of registration, the participant will select his/her draft time.  See the Registration Instructions at AFFL.com for more details.

 

3. SIGN-UP/REGISTRATION DEADLINE

 

CFS must have received a participant’s online registration and entry fee by noon ET the day before their selected draft time. The draft schedule is available from the AFFL.com home page. The final draft day for the Gold level is Labor Day, Monday, September 1^st. Therefore, the final deadline for registration submission for the Gold level is noon, ET on Sunday, August 31^st. The final draft day for the Silver and Bronze levels is Wednesday, September 3^rd. Therefore, the final deadline for registration submission for the Silver and Bronze levels is noon, ET on Tuesday, September 2^nd. The final draft day for the Copper level is Sunday, August 31^st. Therefore, the final deadline for registration submission for the Copper level is noon, ET on Saturday, August 30^th. There is no guarantee that any of the draft sessions will still be available for any of the levels until the specified deadline. As draft times fill up, that draft session will be removed from the registration page, and will no longer be available. Remember, the entry fee must be received by CFS by the registration deadline. If the participant is mailing in a check or money order, it is the participant’s responsibility to ensure that his/her entry fee has been received by CFS before the deadline, regardless of the mail date. CFS is not responsible for entry fees that have been delayed or lost by any mail carrier. Incomplete, incorrect, or falsified registrations will be disqualified.

 

4. REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION

 

All participants will receive an immediate registration confirmation email after their registration has been electronically submitted.  If paying by check, money order, or cashiers check, a second email will be sent to acknowledge that the check has been received, making the registration official.

 

5. REGULAR SEASON STRUCTURE

 

Gold, Silver, Bronze and Copper: The regular season for the Gold, Silver, Bronze and Copper levels will consist of a single round robin in every league with every team in each league playing every other team in their league once. In each head-to-head match up, the team accumulating the most points in that particular game will receive a win, and the other team will receive a loss. This will constitute the regular season win/loss record. This requires the AFFL regular season to be 11 weeks long (Week 1 through Week 11).

 

6. PLAYOFF STRUCTURE

 

a. League Championship Game - Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Copper Levels: The League Championship Game will take place in Week 12 of the AFFL season, and will be used to determine each League Champion. The two teams in the League Championship Game will be the team in the league with the best win/loss record, and the remaining team in the same league with the highest total points. The team with the best win/loss record will be determined first. Since the other team in the League Championship Game is determined by point totals only, it is possible that this team will have a worse win/loss record than some of the remaining teams that do not make it to the League Championship Game. The team scoring the most points in this game will win the League Championship.

 

b. Championship Playoffs - All Levels: The Championship Playoffs will take place from the NFL’s Week 13 through Week 16. For the Gold level there will be a maximum of 115 teams in the Championship Playoffs; the 50 League Champions, the 50 league Runners-up, and up to 15 wild card teams. For the Silver, Bronze, and Copper levels there will be a maximum of 230 teams in its AFFL Championship Playoffs; the 100 League Champions, the 100 league Runners-up, and up to 30 wild card teams. The wild card teams may be any team that is not a league champion or runner-up. Out of all of the remaining teams, the 15 teams with the highest regular season point total (for the Gold level) or the 30 teams (for the Silver, Bronze, and Copper levels) with the highest regular season point total will advance to their AFFL Championship Playoffs. Each team in the AFFL Championship Playoffs will start the Playoffs with their average point total from all players in their starting lineups Week 1 through Week 11. This average will be carried to the hundredth decimal place. Points earned from all players in lineups Week 13 through Week 16 will be added to this average. This total will be a team’s AFFL Championship Playoff point total. The prize winners will be awarded based on this point total. In the Gold level, the teams with the top five point totals will receive prizes. In the Silver, Bronze, and Copper levels, the teams with the top ten point totals will receive prizes. The team with the highest AFFL Championship Playoff point total will be named the 2008 American Fantasy Football League Grand Champion. All four levels will name a Grand Champion.

 

c. Consolation Playoffs: For the Gold level, up to the top 100 teams in each level that did not qualify for the AFFL Championship Playoffs will play in their respective AFFL Consolation Playoffs. For the Silver, Bronze, and Copper levels, up to the top 200 teams in each level that did not qualify for the AFFL Championship Playoffs will play in their respective AFFL Consolation Playoffs. Consolation teams will be determined based on total regular season points (all players from starting lineups Week 1 through Week 11). The AFFL Consolation Playoffs will have the same format as the AFFL Championship Playoffs, with one exception: teams will NOT start with their average point total from the season. ALL TEAMS IN THE AFFL CONSOLATION PLAYOFFS WILL START THE PLAYOFFS WITH ZERO FANTASY POINTS.

 

7. LEAGUE PLACEMENT AND DRAFT ORDER

 

Upon registration, teams will be randomly placed in leagues of 12, based on their chosen draft day and time. The time of registration does not affect the league placement. Also, upon registration, the draft order will be randomly assigned by a computerized placement in one of 12 slots. This method of placement allows participants to find out their draft order regardless of whether the league is full. Note that the AFFL may close draft times early in order to preserve complete leagues of 12. We will ensure that everyone is placed in full leagues of 12 teams prior to the draft. Team pages with league assignments and draft orders will be available by August 10^th, 2008, or immediately after registration, when registering after August 10^th, 2008. If paying by check, your team pages will not be available until the check has been received. No contestant will be permitted to have more than one team in any given league.

 

8. JOINING MULTIPLE LEAGUES AND LEVELS

 

Participants are permitted to register for as many teams in each level as they would like. If there are duplicate registrations by a participant for the same level, we will ensure that each registration will be placed in a separate league. The AFFL recommends that participants do not register for more than one team at any given draft time. Although the software is capable of allowing a participant to draft more than one team at a time, it is very difficult to do so. Participants will only need one username and password if they have multiple teams.

 

9. Co-MANAGEMENT

 

There is no limit to the amount of Co-Managers a team can have. However, a single name and address must be selected as the principal participant for each team, and only one name can be entered for co-managers. Any prize won will be mailed to the principal participant’s address, with prize checks made out to the principal participant only ^[1] . CHICAGO FANTASY SPORTS AND AFFL ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTIONS OF CO-MANAGEMENT AND/OR OTHERS TO WHOM THE PARTICIPANT HAS DISTRIBUTED HIS/HER USERNAME AND PASSWORD. THE ABOVE ARE ALSO NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTIONS OF THE PRINCIPAL PARTICIPANT, SHOULD HE/SHE FAIL TO DISPERSE PRIZE MONEY TO ANY INVOLVED PARTY.

 

10. THE ONLINE DRAFT  

 

The draft schedule is available for viewing via a link at AFFL.com. The draft is conducted using software created by Mock Draft Central, specifically for AFFL. Teams will be able to sign in to their draft 30 minutes prior to the draft start time. It is strongly recommended that each team sign in at this time. The draft will be conducted in a serpentine method starting the first round with team 1, proceeding through team 12. The second round will start with team 12 and will proceed through team 1; the third round will begin with team 1 and end with team 12, etc. until 20 rounds have been completed. This will result in a 20 player roster. There is no requirement for any team to draft a specific number of players at any specific position; however, there are lineup submission requirements stated in section 12 of the Rules and Regulations. It is the participant’s responsibility to draft the appropriate players in order to fill the necessary positions for the lineup submission requirements. Most drafts last approximately 2 ½ hours, however, participants should allow for 3 hours or more.

a. Draft Attendance: Draft attendance is mandatory.  Participants must log in to their league, and sign in to the online draft no later than five minutes prior to the draft start time.  It is recommended that participants log in to the draft at the earliest available time, 30 minutes prior to the draft start time.  In the event that the participant (or co-management) does not sign in to the online draft, the participant’s team will be automatically selected.  The automatic selections will be the best available player based on the player rankings in the draft kit.  If a participant signs in to the online draft after the draft has started, he will be able to select his next player; however, if any previous automatic selections have been made, they would still apply.  Please note that some hotels and air cards block the connection to Mock Draft Central, preventing access to the draft room. If you are planning to draft by one of the above methods, we recommend attempting to login to your draft as soon as the draft room opens.  If you cannot gain access, you will need to arrange another method to access the draft. The AFFL is not responsible for connection issues, and will not issue a refund.

 

b. Co-Management during the Draft: Co-managers may be logged into the draft at the same time as the principal participant.  Note that during the draft, all co-managers have equal ability to select players. This means that if a co-manager selects a player before the principal participant, his/her selection is the one taken.

 

c. Time Limits: First 6 rounds: The time limit for player selection for each team in the first six rounds is two minutes.  Last 14 rounds: The time limit for player selection for each team in the last fourteen rounds is one minute and thirty seconds.  If a team fails to choose a player in the given time frame, their pick will automatically be selected based on the player rankings in the draft kit.  If a team misses two picks in a row, it will be placed on Autopick.  After a given team is placed on Autopick, it will be necessary for them to unselect the Autopick in order to keep the computer from selecting its pick.  Other teams must be aware of the teams that are on Autopick, due to the fact that those team’s selections will happen in thirteen seconds (this could give the illusion that a given team has more time prior to their next turn than they really do).  SELECTIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY THE TIME LIMIT TO AVOID AN AUTOMATIC SELECTION.  THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THE TIME LIMIT.  THE POSTED CLOCK MAY BE DELAYED DUE TO MANY REASONS.  CFS ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR SLOW INTERNET CONNECTION SPEEDS; IT IS THEREFORE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARTICIPANTS TO MAINTAIN THEIR OWN CLOCK.  THE DRAFT WILL NOT BE STOPPED OR TURNED BACK FOR ANY REASON WITH THE EXCEPTION OF TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES ON THE PART OF AFFL OR MOCK DRAFT CENTRAL.

 

d. Breaks: There will be one 5 minute break after the end of the 10^th round.

 

e. The Team Roster: Each team’s roster can have no more than 20 players.  IT IS THE PARTICIPANT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO VERIFY THAT HIS/HER TEAM ROSTER IS CORRECT BEFORE LEAVING THE DRAFT, AND AFTER IT IS UPLOADED TO THE LEAGUE MANAGEMENT WEBSITE.  It is the participant’s responsibility to report any errors to Chicago Fantasy Sports within 24 hours of the roster being uploaded to the league management website.

 

f. Week 1 Lineups: The AFFL suggests that each team set their Week 1 lineup as soon as lineup submission is available. However, each team will be allowed to modify their Week 1 lineup based on normal lineup submission (See below – Lineup Submission).

 

g. Trades – Draft Picks: To prevent collusion, no trading of draft picks is allowed.

 

h. Mock Drafts: Mock drafting, provided by Mock Draft Central, will be available from August 10^th through September 3^rd for Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Copper. Participants have unlimited full access to mock drafting. The following are included in the full access package: participant’s team vs. 11 computer players, AFFL prescheduled 12 team mock drafts, and full access to Mock Draft Central to set up your own mock drafts (or join drafts set up by others) against AFFL teams, the computer, or other players from other fantasy leagues around the country.

 

11. TRADES 

 

The AFFL does not allow any trading in order to avoid collusion.  Free agents, however, can be acquired (See below – Free Agents).

 

12. LINEUP SUBMISSION

 

Lineups will be available to be modified before each week and future weeks all season.

 

a. Lineup Roster: It is up to the participant to determine his or her desired lineup using the guidelines in this section.  The lineup roster must consist of the following players:

 

1 Quarterback
2 Wide Receivers
2 Running Backs
1 Tight End
1 Place Kicker
1 Defense & Special Teams

2 Flex Players (WR, RB, or TE)

If no Week 1 lineup is submitted, the AFFL will be forced to randomly determine your lineup.  After Week 1, it is up to the participant to make changes to his/her team’s lineup.  If no lineup changes are submitted, your starting lineup will remain set to that of the previous week.  If no player is available for a given position, the remainder of starting lineup is still awarded points.  

b. Method of Submission: Lineups should be submitted via the Internet by going to http://games.affl.com.

 

c. Lineup Submission Guidelines: The deadline for lineup submission is 10 minutes prior to the game time for the player that you are submitting as a starter.  Although it is possible to submit your lineup until just before kickoff, there is no guarantee that the changes will update unless the lineup has been submitted by the 10 minute prior to kickoff deadline.  If there is a problem in submitting your lineup, you MUST call or email AFFL with your desired lineup changes before the deadline, otherwise no reparative action can be taken; no exceptions.

d. Bye Week Lineup Adjustment: Each Tuesday at 12:00 PM ET all bye week players are automatically benched from each participant’s starting roster, and are AI replaced by the best available player with that meets the particular roster spot that was benched.

 

e. AI Control of Lineup Adjustment: If a user has not logged into a given team for more than 11 days, the lineup will be automatically set on the following Sunday by the AI, based on the best available players.  If at any point the user returns to the team, full lineup control is automatically restored.

 

13. FREE AGENTS

 

All players that are not on a team roster in a participant’s league are available free agents, and will be placed into the free agent market.

 

a. Free Agent Time Period: The free agent market begins for the season after Week 1 is completed, and terminates with the end of Week 11 (the free agent market is only open during the regular season).  The free agent market opens after Week 6 is completed for the Bronze level.  However, for all levels, a player that is dropped by any team after Week 7 (i.e. October 23^rd and beyond) cannot be acquired by another team, nor reacquired by the team that dropped him.  The free agent market opens on Tuesday of each week at 12:00 PM ET, and will remain open until the following Friday at 5:00 PM ET. While the market is open, a team can adjust, add, or remove its bids until the market closes.  The time in which participants place their free agent bids does not affect the results of the bidding, i.e. it does not matter if the bid is placed on Tuesday at 1:00 PM ET, or Thursday at 11:00 AM ET.  The results of the winning bids will be posted to the rosters by Friday at 8:00 PM ET.  Participants need to ensure that they have adequate back-up players before the final free agent acquisition deadline.  If a team does not have an available player for a position, that position will remain vacant, resulting in zero points for that position, including the Playoffs; no exceptions.

 

b. Free Agent Market Description: The AFFL free agent process is based on a “Salary Cap” system.  Over the course of the regular season a team will have a “Free Agent Salary Cap” of $2,000.  Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Copper teams will start with the full $2000 Free Agent Dollars.  Every team will have an opportunity to participate in the free agent market to acquire free agents each week.  Every team in the free agent market will be able to bid part or all of their free agent dollars on available free agent players.  No other team in the league will be able to see your bid.  The team with the highest bid on a particular player will win that free agent player.  The team with the winning bid will have a reduction in “Salary Cap” room in the amount of their bid.  A team will be able to bid each week until their “Salary Cap” is $0; at that time they will not be permitted to bid on any more free agents for the remainder of the season.  A team that has won the bid for a particular player must make room in their roster for their new acquisition by releasing a player of their choice.  Players that are released by a team will become available in the free agent market for the following week.  FREE AGENT DOLLARS ARE FICTITIOUS.  A PLAYER THAT IS DROPPED AFTER WEEK 7 CANNOT BE ACQUIRED BY ANOTHER TEAM NOR REACQUIRED BY THE TEAM THAT DROPPED HIM.

 

c. Free Agent Market Do Not Drop List: Each week, the AFFL will determine a list of highly ranked players that will not be permitted to be dropped from a roster.  However, teams can request an exception by email with a valid reason as to why they need to drop a specific player.  This procedure has been put in place to prevent a team from intentionally dropping highly ranked players in order to sabotage their league.

 

d. Free Agent Guidelines:

1. Bid amounts must be whole dollars from $1 to $2000.
2. A single free agent bid consists of a primary bid, plus as many conditional bids as you would like to place on that primary bid.
3. The top line is the primary bid.  The second, third, fourth (etc.) lines are conditional bids to the primary bid.

a.       This means that if you don’t win the primary bid, the next player that you have a chance to win is the first conditional bid.  If you lose the primary and the first conditional bid, the program will move down to the next conditional bid, etc.

4. You may place as many free agent bids as you would like.  After you submit each bid, you will be asked if you would like to place another bid.
5. There is no preference given to the order in which your free agent bids are placed.

6. You can only win one player from each free agent bid.
7. If any bid has a zero dollar amount, it will be disregarded (this includes conditional bids).
8. If you bid an amount that will put you over your remaining free agent dollars, your bid(s) will be disregarded.
9. You cannot win 2 players if they have the same drop player listed by them (even if you are the highest bidder on both).

a.       Keep this in mind when placing multiple free agent bids.

10. You cannot bid on the same player as the primary bid in multiple free agent bids for different dollar amounts.  If you do this, only the highest dollar bid will be considered for that player.
11. You cannot bid on the same player in the same free agent bid for different dollar amounts.  If you do this, only the highest dollar bid will be considered for that player.

 

e. Bid Tiebreaker: If 2 or more teams have placed equal bids for a player, and this dollar amount is the highest bid placed, the following tiebreakers will be used to determine the winner. The tiebreakers will start with number 1, and proceed down the list until only one team is remaining.

1. Lowest total points (all players from starting lineups Week 1 through current week).
2. Worst win/loss record.
3. Lowest total Quarterback points (QBs in starting lineups Week 1 through current week).
4. Lowest total Defense & Special Teams points (DSTs in starting lineups Week 1 through current week).
5. Lowest total Placekicking points (Ks in starting lineups Week 1 through current week; Bronze).
6. Lowest previous week’s points (previous week’s starting lineup).

7. Lowest draft position.

 

14. SCORING AND CALCULATIONS 

 

The following allotted fantasy points will be awarded when a player or defense and special team in the lineup performs any of the following actions.  The AFFL uses action based scoring; any player, regardless of position, performing any of the following actions will receive fantasy points for that action.  There are a few obvious exceptions (See Footnotes).  All fantasy points received or deducted will be carried out to the tenth decimal place (e.g. a QB throwing 355 yards will score 20.5 fantasy points for those yards).  Tenths of points are given as whole increments, not rounded (e.g. a QB throwing 157 yards will score 7.8 points).  Negative yardage will result in negative points (e.g. -1 yard results in -0.1 points) for the following sections: a, b, and c.  Scores will be preliminarily posted each Tuesday at 12:00 PM ET.  However, scores can change through the following Friday at 12:00 PM ET based on statistical adjustments by the NFL.  Statistics are locked each Friday at 12:00 PM ET, and all games will go final at that time (Exception: Week 11 games will go final on Thursday, November 20^nd at 11:00 AM ET, and Week 12 games will go final on Thursday, November 27^th at 11:00 AM ET).  Point disputes must be reported to the AFFL by way of email or phone by Friday at 12:00 PM ET (Thursday at 11:00 AM ET for Week 11 and 12) following the week in question; otherwise, the scores posted on Friday at 12:00 PM ET (Thursday at 11:00 AM ET for Week 11 and 12) of each week are final.  The AFFL reserves the right to change scores from previous weeks if it is deemed necessary due to a grievous error on part of the statistical provider, or the AFFL.

 

a. Passing: 
1 point for each 20 passing yards from 0 – 300.

1 point for each 10 passing yards from 301+.
-2 points for each interception thrown.

6 points for each passing TD.

2 additional points for each passing TD from 51+ yards.
2 points for each 2-point conversion.

-2 points for each fumble lost

 

b. Receiving:
1 point for each 10 yards receiving.
1 point for each catch.

6 points for each receiving TD.

2 additional points for each receiving TD from 51+ yards.
2 points for each 2 point conversion.

-2 points for each fumble lost.

 

c. Rushing:
1 point for each 10 rushing yards.
6 points for each rushing TD.

2 additional points for each rushing TD from 51+ yards.
2 points for each 2 point conversion.

-2 points for each fumble lost.

 

d. Placekicking:
1 point for each PAT.
3 points for each FG of 1 – 39 yards.
4 points for each FG of 40 – 47 yards.
5 points for each FG of 48 – 54 yards.
6 points for each FG of 55+ yards.

 

e. Defense & Special Teams Scoring:
6 points for each TD (interception return, fumble return, punt or kickoff return, blocked FG return, missed FG return, and blocked punt return, no yardage points given – Note that the player scoring the TD is also credited with a TD)^[2].

2 additional points for each TD from 51+ yards.
1 point for each sack.
2 points for each takeaway (interception and fumble recovery)^[3].
2 points for each safety.
20 points for each shutout^[4].
15 points for allowing between 1 – 3 points.

10 points for allowing between 4 – 10 points.

5 points for allowing between 11 – 15 points.
-1 point for every 10 points allowed above 20 points (e.g. a team that allows 21 – 30 points would receive -1 point; however, a team that allows 31 – 40 points will receive -2 points, etc.).

 

15. TIEBREAKERS

 

a. Determining the Best Win/Loss Record: At the conclusion of Week 11, in the event that there is a tie for the best win/loss record, the following tiebreakers will be used to select the team that advances to the League Championship Game:
1. Total regular season points (all players from starting lineups Week 1 through Week 11).
2. Total Quarterback points (QBs in starting lineups Week 1 through Week 11).
3. Total Defense & Special Teams points (DSTs in starting lineups Week 1 through Week 11).
4. Total Placekicking points (Ks in starting lineups Week 1 through Week 11).
5. Total Bench points (all players on the bench Week 1 through Week 11).

 

b. Determining the Team With the Highest Point Total: The following guidelines will be used in the case of a tie in determining the remaining team with the highest point total to compete in the League Championship Game or the Third Place team:

1. Total Quarterback points (QBs in starting lineups Week 1 through Week 11).
2. Total Defense & Special Teams points (DSTs in starting lineups Week 1 through Week 11).
3. Total Placekicking points (Ks in starting lineups Week 1 through Week 11).
4. Total Bench points (all players on the bench Week 1 through Week 11).

c. Determining the League Championship Game Winner: If there is a tie in the League Championship Game, the following guidelines will be used to determine the winner:

1. Total regular season points (all players from starting lineups week 1 through week 11).
2. Head-to-head in the regular season.
3. Regular season win/loss record (Week 1 through Week 11).
4. Total Quarterback points (League Championship Game starting lineup).
5. Total Defense & Special Teams points (League Championship Game starting lineup).
6. Total Placekicking points (League Championship Game starting lineup).
7. Total Bench points (all players on the bench week 12).

d. Determining the Playoff Wild Card Teams: In the event that there is a tie for a wild card team berth, the following guidelines will be used:

1. Regular season win/loss record (Week 1 through Week 11).
2. Total Quarterback points (QBs in starting lineups Week 1 through Week 11).
3. Total Defense & Special Teams points (DSTs in starting lineups Week 1 through Week 11).
4. Total Placekicking points (Ks in starting lineups Week 1 through Week 11).
5. Total Bench points (all players on the bench Week 1 through Week 11).

 

e. Determining the AFFL Championship Playoff Prize Winners:  If there is a tie in determining the teams with the top 10 point totals, the following guidelines will be used:

1. Recalculate total playoff points by taking the initial average starting playoff points from Weeks 1-11 to the thousandth decimal place.

2. Win/loss record (Week 1 through Week 11).
3. Total Quarterback points (QBs in starting lineups Week 13 through Week 16).
4. Total Defense & Special Teams points (DSTs in starting lineups Week 13 through Week 16).
5. Total Placekicking points (Ks in starting lineups Week 13 through Week 16).
6. Total Bench points (all players on the bench Week 13 through Week 16).
7. Total Bench points (all players on the bench Week 1 through Week 11).

 

f. Determining the Consolation Playoff Teams: In the event that there is a tie for a consolation playoff team berth, the following guidelines will be used:
1. Regular season win/loss record.
2. Total Quarterback points (QBs in starting lineups Week 1 through Week 11).
3. Total Defense & Special Teams points (DSTs in starting lineups Week 1 through week 11).
4. Total Placekicking points (Ks in starting lineups Week 1 through Week 11).
5. Total Bench points (all players on the bench Week 1 through Week 11).

 

g. Determining the AFFL Consolation Playoff Prize Winners:  If there is a tie in determining the teams with the top 10 point totals the following guidelines will be used:

1. Total points from starting lineups (Week 1 through Week 11).
2. Win/loss record (Week 1 through Week 11).
3. Total Quarterback points (QBs in starting lineups Week 13 through Week 16).
4. Total Defense & Special Teams points (DSTs in starting lineups Week 13 through Week 16).
5. Total Placekicking points (Ks in starting lineups Week 13 through Week 16).
6. Total Bench points (all players on the bench Week 13 through Week 16).
7. Total Bench points (all players on the bench Week 1 through Week 11).

16. PRIZES

2008 COMPLETE PRIZE BREAKDOWN

AFFL.com Levels	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Copper
Entry Fee	$600	$200	$100	$50
Championship Playoff Grand Prize**	$60,000	$40,000	$20,000	$10,000
Championship Playoff Runner-up	$6,000	$5,000	$2,500	$1,250
Championship Playoff 3rd Place	$3,000	$2,500	$1,250	$625
Championship Playoff 4th Place	$1,500	$1,250	$625	$300
Championship Playoff 5th Place	$750	$1,000	$500	$250
Championship Playoff 6th Place	N/A	$750	$375	$175
Championship Playoff 7th Place	N/A	$500	$250	$125
Championship Playoff 8th Place	N/A	$400	$200	$100
Championship Playoff 9th Place	N/A	$300	$150	$75
Championship Playoff 10th Place	N/A	$200	$100	$50
Each League Champion	$1,800	$500	$250	$125
Each League Runner-up	$600	$200	$100	$50
Each League 3rd Place	$300	$100	$50	$25
Consolation Playoff Winner	$1,200	$400	$200	$100
Consolation Playoff Runner-up	$900	$300	$150	$75
Consolation Playoff 3rd Place	$600	$200	$100	$50
Consolation Playoff 4th Place	N/A	$100	$50	$25
Consolation Playoff 5th Place	N/A	$100	$50	$25
Consolation Playoff 6th Place	N/A	$50	$25	$10
Consolation Playoff 7th Place	N/A	$50	$25	$10
Consolation Playoff 8th Place	N/A	$50	$25	$10
Consolation Playoff 9th Place	N/A	$50	$25	$10
Consolation Playoff 10th Place	N/A	$50	$25	$10

 

** The Gold, Silver and Bronze Championship Playoff Grand Prize winners will each receive a Waterford Crystal AFFL Trophy; $9,000 Retail Value (this is in addition to the prize money).

 

a. Individual League Prizes:  For the Gold level, there will be up to 50 League Champions, League Runners-up, and Third Place Teams. For the Silver, Bronze, and Copper levels, there will be up to 100 League Champions, League Runners-up, and Third Place Teams. The League Runner-up is the loser of the League Championship game, and the Third Place team is the team with the next highest points.

b. Overall Championship Prizes:  The top 5 places in the Gold level will be awarded prizes in the AFFL Championship Playoffs. The top 10 places in the Silver, Bronze, and Copper levels will be awarded prizes in the AFFL Championship Playoffs. The Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Copper Championship Playoff Grand Prize Winner in each level will receive a Waterford Crystal Trophy, made in Ireland, a $9,000.00 retail value.

c. Consolation Playoff Bracket: The top 3 places in Gold, and the top 10 in Silver, Bronze, and Copper will be awarded prizes in the AFFL Consolation Playoffs.

 

16. TAXATION OF PRIZE MONEY

 

The winning participants are responsible for all tax burdens occurring as a result of their winnings.  CFS HAS NOT PREPAID ANY TAXES ON ANY OF THE WINNINGS.  THE WINNING PARTICIPANT MUST NOTIFY THE IRS OF HIS/HER WINNINGS, AND PROCEED TO PAY APPROPRIATE TAXES ON ALL MONEYS EARNED WHERE NECESSARY.  CERTAIN WINNING PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE AN IRS 1099 FORM.

 

18. OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION 

 

a. Chicago Fantasy Sports, L.L.C. reserves the right to amend the number of teams in any of the AFFL Championship Playoffs and the AFFL Consolation Playoffs if there are fewer than 50 leagues in the Gold level, or fewer than 100 leagues in the Silver, Bronze, or Copper levels.

 

b. Chicago Fantasy Sports L.L.C. reserves the right to amend the rules without notification. 

 

c. Entry fees are nonrefundable.

 

d. IF YOUR REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS LESS THAN 10 DAYS AWAY, IFS STRONGLY SUGGESTS PAYING BY CREDIT CARD, OR USING A FORM OF EXPEDITED MAIL IF PAYING BY CHECK.  It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure that his/her registration and entry fee have been received by Chicago Fantasy Sports, L.L.C. regardless of the mail date.  CFS is not responsible for entries that are delayed or lost by any mail carrier. Incomplete, incorrect, or falsified entries will be disqualified.

 

e. In the unlikely event that a tie (in any situation) has not been resolved by the given tiebreaking criteria, CFS will have a coin toss to determine the winner (heads/tails will be randomly drawn).

 

f. CFS is not responsible for human errors, typographical errors, or technical errors that occur at any time during, before, or after the AFFL season.  CFS is not responsible for technical errors, including, but not limited to computer viruses, malfunctions, or failures.  CFS is also not responsible for any Internet related problem including server failure, Internet fraud, Internet connection issues, or unauthorized tampering with the AFFL website.

 

g. In the event of a server failure, the last lineup that was submitted will be the official lineup for the week.  CFS RECOMMENDS THAT PARTICIPANTS MAKE ANY OF THEIR LINEUP CHANGES AS SOON AS LINEUP SUBMISSION IS AVAILABLE EACH WEEK.

 

h. All prize checks will be mailed out on Monday, February 9th, 2009, to the address submitted when the participant registered. CFS may require winners to provide their social security number for the IRS 1099 Form. Checks will be made out to the principal participant. All prize winners may be required to provide valid identification. If a participant’s address changes he/she must change their address online by filling out a change of address form available from the team home page. All prize checks must be cashed within 60 days from the date on the check, otherwise prize winnings will be immediately converted into AFFL Credit. AFFL Credit may be used for teams, merchandise, or redeemed for cash with 90 days notice in writing. (Note: this does not apply to merchandise credit.) Prize money is not earned, in part or in whole, until Week 16 statistics are final (Friday at 12:00 PM ET following the last game of Week 16).

 

i. THERE IS A NON-REFUNDABLE $25 BOUNCED CHECK FEE.

 

j. All participants must be 18 years of age or older by the day of their draft, and reside in the United States of America or Canada, or be on active military service.  Regretfully, participants from the following states, territories, and provinces are not permitted to play in the 2008 Gold, Silver, Bronze, or Copper levels due to local laws: Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, Vermont, Quebec, and Puerto Rico. If local laws stipulate an age of majority higher than 18 years of age, the participant must have reached that age of majority by their draft day to be eligible to participate.

 

k. Employees of Chicago Fantasy Sports, L.L.C. and the American Fantasy Football League and their immediate relatives are not eligible for participation in the AFFL.  Immediate relatives include parents, siblings, and children.

 

l. Chicago Fantasy Sports, L.L.C. will NOT tolerate cheating or collusion.  If CFS determines that any team/participant is cheating in any way, or practicing collusion, all involved parties will be removed from the competition, and will forfeit their entry fee and any prizes won. This includes, but is not limited to, the manipulation or attempt to manipulate the website in any way, shape, or form.  ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE THE WEBSITE, OR TO UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE COMPETITION IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAW.  SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, CFS RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES AND ANY OTHER REMEDIES AVAILABLE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW.

 

m. In the event that any of the terms and conditions in the Rules and Regulations for the AFFL is found to be invalid or unenforceable by law, the remainder of the Rules and Regulations shall remain valid and enforceable.

 

n. By submitting their registration, participants release to Chicago Fantasy Sports, L.L.C., the use of their name, state, and likeness in the event that the participant is a cash prize winner, without additional compensation, unless prohibited by law.  The above will NOT sell this information to any other party. This information is for promotional, publicity, and advertising purposes only.

 

o. If there is a discrepancy regarding the registrant’s identity, CFS will conclude that the registered participant is the authorized user of the submitted email address at the time of registration. This authorized user is the one assigned to this email address by another party responsible for providing email access in accordance with the attached domain name.

 

p. The AFFL will not permit vulgar language on message boards, and has the right to disallow team names that could be viewed as inappropriate or vulgar.

 

q. CFS reserves the right to prohibit any person from participation, and to disqualify anyone from participation at any time. CFS has sole discretion in determining fairness of play, and can refuse to award points and/or prizes when necessary to maintain the integrity of play. 

 

r. CFS has sole discretion regarding the scheduling of games.  If the NFL cancels a game or games, CFS will not distribute points for the players in that particular game(s).  In the event that the NFL reschedules many games, CFS will decide at that time how this will affect the AFFL season, and make changes as necessary.  If the NFL season is cancelled prior to the start of the season, due to an act of God, strike, or any other reason, all entries will be held over to the following year.  If the NFL season is cancelled during the season, due to an act of God, strike, or any other reason, the remainder of the AFFL season will also be cancelled, and prizes will be awarded based on the total points earned at that time.  In this case, ties will be handled by the method used for the AFFL Championship Playoffs.  If the NFL season is cancelled prior to the completion of Week 13, there will be no Consolation Playoff prizes awarded (It would not be possible to determine which teams would receive these prizes in a fair manner, until after Week 13); all prizes will be awarded based on points, disregarding win/loss records.

 

s. If a situation arises in which an NFL player or defense scores points in an undefined manner, CFS reserves the right to award or remove points to/from a participant’s score.  CFS will make any necessary changes to the scores before the next week of NFL games begin.

 

t. CFS reserves the right to halt play in the AFFL at any time in order to maintain fairness.  CFS may also halt, modify, or discontinue play in the AFFL if caused to do so by a legal or regulatory body.  CFS may disqualify any participants from a geographic area affected by a current or newly enacted legal stipulation preventing them from participation, without compensation to these participants.

 

u. The National Football League (NFL), or any NFL team, is in no way affiliated with CFS or the AFFL, nor does it endorse them.

 

v. CFS reserves the right to have the sole authority on all interpretations of the Rules and Regulations, as defined by CFS.  Therefore, if a situation arises in which there is unclear definition in the Rules and Regulations, the final decision is made by CFS.

 

w. These Rules and Regulations are considered a binding agreement between CFS and each of the principal registrants.

 

x. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, under no circumstances shall CFS be liable for any special, consequential, or incidental damages in connection with its obligations under this agreement, and in any event, the liability of CFS for any act of negligence or breach of this agreement shall not exceed the amount paid by the principal registrant to CFS in connection with this agreement during the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the date of any claim by the principal registrant against CFS.

 

y. The AFFL is void where prohibited by law.

 

 

 

American Fantasy Football League, CFS, and AFFL

are all registered trademarks of Chicago Fantasy Sports L.L.C.