StatChasers Dynasty In-Season Bylaws
Official operational rules for active StatChasers Dynasty Standard leagues.
This document serves as the in-season reference guide for Dynasty Lineup leagues.
It outlines trading deadlines, waiver processing, playoff structure, rookie draft rules,
conduct policies, commissioner authority, and entry fee requirements during the active season.
For payout structure and initial signup terms, refer to the
StatChasers Dynasty Signup Bylaws.
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1. Scoring & Settings
Scoring format, roster requirements, and lineup settings are defined within your league’s Sleeper League Settings. This section summarizes the in-season operational settings that apply.
- Scoring Format: View directly in Sleeper under League Settings
- Roster / Lineup Requirements: Defined in Sleeper settings
- FAAB Budget: $300 per team/year (shared across in-season + off-season)
If there is a discrepancy between this document and Sleeper settings, Sleeper settings take precedence unless the commissioner issues a formal update.
2. Trading
Trades process automatically. Vetoes are reserved for integrity issues (collusion / bad-faith dealings), not “I don’t like the trade.”
Trade Rules
- Processing: Automatic
- Trade Deadline: End of Week 14
- Offseason Trades: Always open
- Future Picks: May trade rookie picks up to 2 years ahead
Veto Process
- Create a league poll
- 50% of the league (excluding traders) must vote to veto
- Tag commissioner for final review
Future Picks Payment Requirement
- Future picks must be paid one year in advance prior to season starting.
- Deadline: May 1st of the prior year (see Entry Fee Deadlines section).
- If you trade a 2027 pick, your 2027 dues must be paid by May 1st, 2026.
3. Waivers & Free Agency
Waivers run using a FAAB system. Each team has one annual budget that covers both the in-season and off-season.
- Waiver System: FAAB
- Budget: $300 per team/year (in-season + off-season combined)
- Processing: Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays
- Sunday Rule: Free Agency opens on Sundays after waivers process
- Offseason Free Agency: Opens May 15th each year
Waiver timing and player lock behavior follow Sleeper platform rules.
4. Schedule & Playoffs
The regular season and playoff format are standardized across StatChasers Dynasty Lineup leagues unless your Sleeper settings specify otherwise.
Regular Season
- Weeks: 1–14
- Scheduling: Managed by Sleeper
Playoffs
- Weeks: 15–17
- Qualifiers: Top 50% of teams
- Tiebreaker: Bench Points
Tie scenarios, reseeding behavior (if any), and lineup lock follow Sleeper platform rules.
5. Rookie Draft Rules
Rookie drafts are held shortly after the NFL Draft concludes. Draft order is designed to reward rebuilding teams while protecting league integrity.
- Rounds: 4
- Timing: Held within 2 weeks of the NFL Draft concluding
- Time Per Pick: 4 hours
- Picks 1–6: Reverse Max PF (non-playoff teams)
- Picks 7–12: Determined by playoff results (losing spots ordered by Max PF)
Rookie draft scheduling details will be posted in league chat and/or pinned in Sleeper.
6. Replacement Teams
If a manager leaves a league, the commissioner will replace the manager as quickly as possible to protect league competitiveness and continuity.
- Primary Goal: Replace the manager ASAP
- Commissioner Action: Promote the opening through the StatChasers network
7. Conduct & Violations
Keep league chat clean, respectful, and focused on fantasy football. No toxic behavior, harassment, or attempts to create drama. If there’s an issue, DM the commissioner.
| Offense | Consequence |
|---|---|
| 1️⃣ First time | Friendly reminder + 24 hours to remove post |
| 2️⃣ Second time | Temporary roster lock for 1 week (no lineup changes) |
| 3️⃣ Third time | Temporary roster lock for 2 weeks |
| 4️⃣ Fourth time | Removal from the league (no refund) & manager will be replaced |
8. Commissioner Role & Authority
The commissioner runs league operations, resolves disputes, and protects league integrity. In recognition of these responsibilities, the commissioner receives a free league entry while the remaining 11 managers pay the established entry fee.
- Runs league operations, resolves issues, manages payouts, and recruits replacement managers when necessary
- Receives a free league entry as compensation for managing and administering the league
- Participates as a regular league member and receives no competitive advantage beyond the waived entry fee
- May implement midseason changes only when necessary to protect fairness, league integrity, or continued operations
- Will seek feedback from league members whenever possible unless timing requires immediate action
9. Empire & Jackpot Challenges
Empire and Global Jackpot challenges are long-term incentives designed to reward sustained dominance and add cross-league excitement. League-specific payout details may be referenced in the league payout sheet.
🏰 Empire Pot
- Portion of yearly dues rolls into the Empire fund (league-specific)
- First team to win back-to-back championships wins the Empire Pot
- If unclaimed by 2031 → league vote on path forward
🎯 Global Jackpot Bonus
- Undefeated season (Weeks 1–17) wins the jackpot + optional trophy
- Prize pool funded by a $2 entry fee (where applicable)
- If no winner → rolls into next year
- Tiebreaker: Max PF
Specific jackpot eligibility rules may vary by league year; consult your league announcement pins for the current season details.
10. Entry Fee Deadlines
- 2027 Season: Must be paid prior to April 15, 2026
- 2028 Season: Must be paid prior to April 15, 2027
- 2029 Season: Must be paid prior to April 15, 2028
Failure to pay future seasons in a timely manner after trading future picks may result in roster lock or removal without refund.
11. Payment Enforcement
- Missed payment may result in roster lock.
- Continued non-payment may result in removal from the league.
- No refunds will be issued if removal is due to failure to meet payment obligations.
- All future picks must be paid in accordance with Entry Fee Deadlines.
FAQ
Common questions regarding future pick payments, LeagueSafe timing, orphan protection, and long-term league stability.
This is one of the most common questions we receive. While many leagues attempt to require immediate payment into future LeagueSafe years, in practice it does not fully solve the issue.
On LeagueSafe, payments remain refundable until the commissioner closes the refund deadline. Once the refund deadline closes, the payment deadline closes as well.
For example, if a 2027 LeagueSafe is opened and a manager trades a 2027 pick, we would either:
1. Leave the 2027 LeagueSafe open so additional managers can continue paying into it — which also means those earlier payments may remain refundable.
OR
2. Require all managers to pay immediately and then close the payment/refund deadline entirely.
The one-year advance payment requirement exists primarily to protect the league when managers trade future rookie picks.
If a manager trades away future assets and later refuses to pay for the upcoming season, the league could be left with a difficult orphan team.
By requiring future seasons to be paid in advance, the commissioner can offer that already-paid season to a replacement manager if necessary, making the orphan significantly easier to fill.
The two-year future pick limit exists to reduce long-term orphan risk and protect league stability.
Without restrictions, managers could potentially trade away too many future assets, creating a roster that becomes extremely difficult to replace — even with a free or discounted year attached.
Allowing future pick trading up to two years out still provides meaningful flexibility while helping prevent excessive long-term damage to league health.
Additional questions can always be directed to the commissioner team through Discord.
Community Discord
Want faster answers, trade feedback, and commissioner support? Join the StatChasers Discord — a place to talk strategy, share leagues, and get help resolving league issues.
- Trade advice + lineup help from other competitive managers
- Commissioner corner: bylaws questions, dispute resolution, league fixes
- Waiver talk, injury reactions, and weekly discussion threads
- Tool updates, feature requests, and early previews
Free Tools for StatChasers Managers
Optional — but most StatChasers league members use these tools weekly to gain an edge.
Dynasty Command
Analyze your entire league, evaluate trades, optimize lineups, and track roster strength across all teams in one powerful dashboard.
Open ToolLineup Optimizer
Instantly calculate your true optimal lineup and see exactly how many points you’re leaving on the bench.
Launch ToolFantasy Report Card
Grade your roster strength, positional balance, and competitive outlook across leagues in one report.
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