Paradigm Leagues Rulebook 2024

Paradigm Leagues are a unique fantasy football game of skill that tests a participant’s ability to predict player performance over time while managing current team needs versus the long-term goals of their team. The objective of the rulebook is to remove as many gray areas from decision-making as possible. The Director shall mediate disputes arising from situations not explicitly covered in the rulebook, with the decision being the same as written rule. Champions are determined based on the criteria listed below.

Ladders: Unlimited
Leagues: 14 per ladder
Levels: 2 per league
Teams: 20 per league (leagues may be less, with single player copy)
Players: 53 players maximum per team during season, no minimum. No constraints during off-season (this total does not include Taxi Squad players)
Taxi Squad: 14 players maximum per team during season, no minimum
Player Copies: 2 of each player, per league unless otherwise noted

Fees: Yearly team costs are determined annually and are provided to managers during the off-season. Yearly fees are collected via Venmo. See “Funds” for cost projections and payment schedules. There are no fees, or winnings, paid for participating in a level 01 league.

Currency: Every team is allocated monetary units called free-agency dollars (FA$) each off-season. There is no limit to the amount of FA$ that a team may possess at any time or carryover from season-to-season. Teams always keep their FA$, regardless of league status.

Team Names: Consist of a geographic location along with an identifying nickname – pending approval by the Director. A league may have more specific standards. When a manager elects to relocate a team or change their nickname the team is subject to a thirty free-agency dollars ($30 FA$) charge for relocation and marketing costs for each. These changes are only approved during the off-season. Managers may run a team in as many leagues as they desire, but they are limited to one (1) team per league.

Inaugural Drafts: A virtual dice roll is utilized to determine the order managers select draft position and free-agency dollar allotments from a predetermined list. The forty (40) round draft does not begin until all managers have been notified of the start date and time, responded to the notification, and paid their team fees for the season. However, the Director or league Vice may make exceptions when appropriate. All veterans and rookies are eligible to be selected and an informal draft clock is utilized to ensure drafts proceed in a timely manner. If a manager is unable to meet the demands of the draft timer, they must notify the Director or league Vice prior to the draft starting to determine reasonable accommodations. Upon completion of the forty (40) round draft, off-season free agency is opened for managers to sign remaining free agents to fill out the roster, all rookies selected will be moved to team Taxi Squads, and waiver wire windows for the season will be set. Teams may attempt to sign as many additional players as they desire.

Season: Regular season Weeks 1-11. Playoffs Weeks 12-17. Postseason Coda Week 18. See “Schedule” for specifics.
     Regular Season: Weeks 1-11. All-play matchups between all eligible teams. After Week 11, playoff seeding ranked by best record, total points scored, regular season head-to-head win-loss between deadlocked teams, and (if required) random dice roll.
     Playoffs: Weeks 12-17 All-play matchups between 3-7 teams, cumulative over 2 weeks as follows:
          Group Stage: Weeks 12-13
          Knockout Round: Weeks 14-15
          Grand Finale: Weeks 16-17
          Coda: Week 18. Head-to-head matchups, determined by total points scored, highest single week score, regular season finish, and (if required) random dice roll.

Rosters: There are no injured reserve, suspended, or any other player designations – a player is either on a roster or they are a free agent. A player’s positional eligibility is determined by My Fantasy League (MFL). Managers are responsible for processing their team transactions via the league’s MFL website.

In-season: Teams rosters have a maximum of fifty-three (53) players during the season. Players are eligible to be on the Taxi Squad if they were drafted as a rookie and have not started a game. Once a player starts a game, is cut, or rolled into free agency they are no longer Taxi Squad eligible. Players on a Taxi Squad do not count against the fifty-three (53) man roster limit. There is no minimum, but the Taxi Squad roster limit is fourteen (14) players during the season.

Off-season: Teams are not restricted by a minimum or maximum number of rostered players when not in-season. Team rosters must be cut down to a maximum of fifty-three (53) players and no more than fourteen (14) Taxi Squad (aka, Special Teams) players by Thursday at 11am CST before week one (1) of the season. Should a roster not be in compliance by the deadline the team is subject to a thirty free-agency dollars ($30 FA$) fine per game the roster is in violation of league rules.

Starting Lineup: Lineups must be submitted prior to kickoff of each player’s NFL game. Once a player’s game has begun their status as a starter or non-starter is final, as is their status on a team’s roster for the week. Teams start twenty-two (22) players each week – eleven (11) on offense and eleven (11) on defense.
     Offense: 1-Quarterback, 1-Super Flex (Super Flex may be QB, RB, WR or TE), 2-Running Backs, 3-Wide Receivers, 2-Tight Ends, 2-Offensive Flexes (OFlexes may be RB, WR or TE).
     Defense: 1-Defensive Tackle, 2-Defensive Ends, 2-Linebackers, 2-Safeties, 2-Cornerbacks, 2-Defensive Flexes (DFlexes may be any defensive position). Teams that start a player on Injured Reserve, suspended, or on their bye week results in a $5 FA$ fine for each infraction. If a team does not possess the funds, they have forty-eight (48) hours to acquire, or the fine is doubled in the off-season when FA$ are allotted.

Scoring: When a player scores a touchdown, regardless of how they score, the points count toward that player’s team score. This includes passing, rushing, receiving, interception return and fumble recovery scores, or on special teams. Changes to player statistics are automatically processed by the league’s website when they occur. Point totals are not considered official until updates process each week. When an NFL game is suspended or cancelled the fantasy players started in that game have their accumulated points count toward their Paradigm team’s weekly total. If the game is not completed within ten (10) days, or declared a no contest, those accumulated points and fantasy totals are considered final.

     Touchdowns: 6 pts
     2-pt Conversion: 2 pts
     Rushing or Receiving Yards: 0.1 pts (10 yards = 1 point)
     Passing Yards: 0.04 pts (25 yards = 1 point)
     Pass Interceptions Thrown: -2.5 pts
     Interceptions Returned For a TD: -3.5 pts (pick 6 total = -6 pts)
     Fumbles Lost (to Opponent): -2.5 pts
     Pass Completions: 0.05 pt (20 completions = 1 point)
     Pass Incompletions: -0.1 pt (10 incompletions = -1 point)
     Sacked: -1 pt
     Rush Attempts: -0.15 pts (10 carries = -1.5 points)
     First Downs: 0.25 pts (4 first downs = 1 point)
     First Downs – WR & TE: 0.5 pts (2 first downs = 1 point)
     Punt Return Yards: 0.05 pt (20 yards = 1 point)
     Kickoff Return Yards: 0.025 pt (40 yards = 1 point)
     Interception Return Yard: 0.025 pt (40 yards = 1 point)
     Opponent Fumble Recovery Yards: 0.025 pt (40 yards = 1 point)
     Own Fumble Recovery Yardage: 0.025 pt (40 yards = 1 point)
     Extra Point Safety: 2 pts
     Safety: 4 pts
     Interceptions: 4 pts
     Forced Fumble: 2.5 pts
     Fumble Recovery (from Opponent): 2.5 pts
     Sack: 3.5 pts (1/2 sack = 1.75 pts)
     QB Hits: 1 pt
     Tackles: 1.5 pts
     Tackles – LB: 1 pt
     Assists: 0.75 pt
     Assists – LB: 0.5 pts
     Tackles For Loss: 1 pt
     Passes Defended: 2.5 pts
     Blocked Punt: 4 pts
     Blocked Field Goal: 3 pts
     Blocked Extra Point: 2 pts

Tiebreakers: During the regular season, matching point totals in a week result in a tie. In the playoffs, the higher seeded team advances (the better team during the regular season wins).

Seeding: All-play wins. Total points scored. Regular season head-to-head win-loss record between deadlocked teams. Virtual dice roll.

Trades: All managers should select the option on MFL to receive an email notification of a trade offer. Trading of players, draft picks, and FA$ is allowed until 11:59am CST on Sunday of week 15. Trading freezes at noon CST and does not resume until the opening of the following league season. No trades may be made that include real money, future considerations, player(s) to be named later, draft pick protections, free agency designations, or Protection List slots. When draft picks are involved in a trade, only draft picks for the current draft year and the following draft year may be traded. Any player traded after the regular season begins cannot be reacquired via trade by their original team for a period of three (3) games – this includes either copy of the player. They may be traded to another team, but this player still cannot be reacquired by their original team until the three (3) game time period has elapsed. A player may be reacquired via weekly league waiver claim at any time. Trades detrimental to the integrity of a league may be vetoed by the Director at any time. Trade vetoes are considered a serious action and do not occur simply because a deal is considered uneven. Collusion or other similar attempts to manipulate a league in any way are considered. When managers have a trade vetoed, their status in the league is also reviewed.

Annual Draft: Begins on the Thursday three weeks before the 1st game of the NFL season. However, the Director or league Vice may make exceptions when appropriate. Seven (7) round rookie and veteran player selection. All rookies and any unrostered veterans are eligible to be selected. Any rookies drafted by an NFL team, and still unsigned at the time of the Annual Draft, are eligible for selection and fall under the same guidelines as all other rookie selections. Drafts do not begin until all managers have been notified of the start date and time and responded to the notification. An informal draft clock is utilized to ensure drafts proceed in a timely manner. If a manager is unable to meet the demands of the draft timer, they must notify their Vice prior to the draft starting to determine reasonable accommodations.

Quorum: Begins on the second Thursday after the Super Bowl. However, the Director or league Vice may make exceptions when appropriate. Rule changes are formally announced, fee payments for the season are verified, and free agents for each team are rolled.

Free Agency: Only players listed in the league website’s player database are eligible for bidding.

In-season: Waivers process by way of blind bidding FA$. Three (3) weekly free agency windows process each week in-season, on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday at 11am CST. Free agency windows run from prior to Week 1 through week 18 (and 19 when applicable). First weekly waiver wire of the season runs on Thursday at 11am CST, prior to the first game of the NFL season. Players whose teams play prior to Sunday games are locked on rosters until the following week. A minimum bid of $1 FA$ is required to sign a player during the season, and bids are in round dollar denominations. Free agents always sign with the highest bidding team, and when multiple teams send in identical blind bids the team seeded the lowest at that time signs the free agent. If multiple bids are still tied, the league website resolves the tie by awarding the player to the team submitting the bid first. Any player cut during this period is not eligible to be signed until the next waiver wire run.

Off-season: Each year, managers designate their team Protection List by Sunday at 11am CST prior to the Quorum. However, the Director or league Vice may make exceptions when appropriate. During the Quorum, each team rolls up to one (1) offensive, one (1) defensive, and one (1) special teams player into the 1st wave of free agency. A minimum bid of $1 FA$ is required to sign a player during the off-season and bids must be made in round dollar denominations. At the beginning of the 1st wave, all players are put up for auction by the team that rolled them for $1 FA$. No bid may be withdrawn, and accelerations must be done in, at minimum, $1 FA$ increments. All auctions are set up with bid via proxy permitted.
     1st Wave: Begins by 11am CST the Sunday after the Quorum – typically two (2) weeks after the Super Bowl. Only players rolled into free agency during the Quorum are eligible for bidding in the 1st wave of free agency. The 1st Wave of free agency does not begin until all managers have paid their team fees for the season. However, the Director or league Vice may make exceptions when appropriate.
     2nd Wave: Begins at 11am CST the Sunday two (2) weeks after the 1st Wave – typically four (4) weeks after the Super Bowl. Any veteran player not designated on a Protection List is automatically an unrestricted free agent and eligible for bidding in the 2nd wave of free agency. Unrestricted free agents are awarded on a rolling deadline basis to the highest bidder in open bid format. Once an opening bid is placed on a player, the auction continues until forty-eight (48) hours have elapsed from the time of the last bid. At that point, the last/highest bidding team signs the player. Managers are limited to four (4) opening bids at any time. Opening bids on free agents are permitted until kick-off of the first NFL pre-season game of the season (typically the NFL Hall of Fame game). Bidding taking place at that point continues until players have signed, but no further opening bids are allowed for the remainder of the off-season.

Player Copies: In player copy leagues, when both copies of a player are rolled into 1st wave free agency, a restricted free agent goes up for bidding first. If both player copies are restricted free agents, the team with the lower finish from the previous season has their copy enter into free agency first. When that auction has completed, the other player copy is eligible for bidding. The same process applies to copies of transitional free agents in the 2nd wave. In-season both copies of a player may sign with different teams in any single waiver wire run.

Designations: Player categories utilized by managers when they post a team Protection List:
Protected Players: Protected players are ineligible for free agency and are automatically retained by their current team at no additional cost.
Restricted Players: Restricted players have their status determined during the Quorum. If rolled into free agency, the player is eligible for bidding in the 1st wave of free agency. Once a restricted free agent is signed to an offer sheet, the team of origin has forty-eight (48) hours to match the offer. – If matched, the team of origin retains their restricted free agent at the amount of the offer sheet. – If not matched, the restricted free agent would be obtained by the team that signed them to the offer sheet while the team of origin would receive twenty percent (20%) of the offer sheet amount (rounded to the nearest FA$).
Transitional Players: Transitional players have their status determined during the Quorum. If rolled into free agency, the player becomes an unrestricted free agent and is eligible for bidding in the 1st wave of free agency.

Protection Lists: Each team must designate a Protection List by Sunday at 11am CST before the Quorum. However, the Director or league Vice may make exceptions when appropriate. Teams may protect up to eight (8) offensive, eight (8) defensive, and (8) special teams (aka Taxi Squad) players. Each group may have up to one (1) protected, one (1) restricted, and six (6) transitional players. A team may not list players from the same position with both protected and restricted designations. These lists must be posted to the MFL message board or other suitable alternative per the Director or Vice. Should a manager not declare their list by the deadline, the franchise is fined thirty ($30 FA$) dollars per day that it is not posted. During the Quorum restricted and transitional players have their status determined. A virtual roll of a die is utilized to determine which players become 1st wave free agents. Up to one (1) Offensive, one (1) Defensive, and one (1) Special Teams player on a team’s Protection List may become free agents. When a team has less than eight (8) players listed in a group (typically when a team has less than eight (8) players on their Taxi Squad) a roll may result in no free agent. A player listed on a team’s Protection List, and not rolled into free agency, is automatically retained at no cost.
     Offense: Managers may designate players from the offense. This includes: QB, RB, WR, or TE.
     Defense: Managers may designate players from the defense. This includes: DT, DE, LB, S, or CB.
     Special Teams: Managers may designate players via special teams (any position) if the criteria below are met: The player was on a Taxi Squad continuously since being drafted their rookie year and they did not start any games during the season immediately preceding the off-season in which they are listed. A special teams player need not be on the same roster the entire time and are eligible for this designation for an unlimited number of seasons.

Paradigm Points: Upon completion of a season, each team is awarded points based on performance in their league. The better a roster performs, the more points the team receives for their efforts. Managers accumulate points for each team competing in various leagues. See “Allotment” page for specifics.

Cycle: A five to seven (5-7) season sequence within a single league where teams accumulate Paradigm points yearly, based on performance. A new cycle begins when at least one team accumulates four hundred and fourteen (414) or more Paradigm points in the league. A cycle automatically ends after seven (7) seasons regardless of accumulated Paradigm points. Upon completion of a cycle, teams retain their FA$, Special Team (Taxi Squad) players, and annual draft selections. All other veterans return to the player pool and are eligible for selection in a Phoenix Season Redraft.
     Phoenix: First season of a cycle, where all twenty (20) teams in a league re-draft players and four-one-four (414) fund totals are reset to zero (0).
     Griffin: Seasons two (2) through five to seven (5-7) of a cycle, where franchises split between Order and Chaos levels based on finish the previous season – ten (10) in each.
          Order: Upper level of league play during Griffin seasons.
          Chaos: Lower level of league play during Griffin seasons.
          Zed: Team that finishes dead last in league play.

414 Fund: In a specific league, each team’s Paradigm point totals are tracked within a cycle. A single team ends a league cycle by earning four hundred and fourteen (414) or more Paradigm points. After one (1) or more teams accumulate four hundred and fourteen (414) or more Paradigm points, a new cycle begins with twenty (20) teams participating in a new Phoenix season. See “Funds” for specifics. Should an entire league fold, money in the four-one-four (414) fund will be distributed on a percentage basis to managers according to Paradigm points earned in the current cycle.

Elevation and Demotion: Upon completion of a season, teams are elevated or demoted within a league based on performance. The team that finishes last is removed from league play the following season (Zed) but returns to league play the season after that (Reviver).
     Phoenix Season: After the first season of a cycle the top ten (10) teams are elevated to the Order level of league play the following season. Teams finishing eleven through twenty (11-20) are demoted to the Chaos level of league play the following season.
     Griffin Seasons: After seasons two (2) through five to seven (5-7) of a cycle, the top five (5) teams in both levels are elevated to the Order level of league play the following season. After seasons two (2) through five to seven (5-7) of a cycle, the bottom five (5) teams in the upper level and teams six through ten (6-10) of the lower level are demoted to the Chaos level of league play the following season.

Promotion and Relegation: After completion of a specific league cycle, the three (3) teams with the most Paradigm points accumulated in that league during the cycle are eligible for promotion into the next highest league. If the league is the highest within a Ladder, no specific further league promotion is possible. Managers are not required to promote their teams, and if a manager elects to stay in their current league the opportunity continues to be offered until three (3) teams have been promoted to the next highest league. If three (3) teams do not elect to promote from the twenty (20) team league, the entire league swaps places with the league directly below them in the ladder. If the league is the lowest within a Ladder, no league swap is possible. The three (3) teams being relegated from the higher league are determined using the following criteria over the previous five (5) seasons (only seasons in that specific, higher league qualify): Win-loss percentage in specific league – bottom two (2) teams relegated. Average number of Paradigm points earned per season in specific league – bottom team remaining is relegated.

When a net new league forms, current Paradigm Leagues retain their level numbers and the new league will be assigned the next numerical levels. Leagues keep their names, main color, and identifying logos. This process takes place every time new leagues enter a Ladder.

Paradigm Shift Drafts: Upon completion of a cycle, promoted and relegated teams participate in a draft within their new league. These drafts occur between the end of the NFL regular season and the Quorum. Veterans, Special Team (Taxi Squad) players, and draft picks stay within a specific league when promotion and relegation occur. These drafts maintain player copy integrity and competition with leagues. If the team that just finished last is demoted to a lower league, the Zed team for the following season is determined as follows: Overall win-loss percentage in specific league cycle – bottom team is Zed for the upcoming season. Tiebreaker is the average number of Paradigm points earned per season in a specific league cycle, then virtual dice roll.
     In Cycle: Three (3) promoted teams from the lower ladder join the seventeen (17) established teams as part of an existing twenty (20) team league within their cycle. The seventeen (17) established teams maintain their roster, draft picks, FA$, and cycle Paradigm points. The three (3) promoted teams maintain their FA$ and enter league play with a specific number of FA$ and Paradigm points determined by totaling the total number of FA$ and Paradigm points held by the twenty (20) teams at the time of the draft and dividing that total by twenty (20) plus the year the cycle is entering. For example, entering year four (4) of a cycle the total amounts would be divided by twenty-five (24).

Draft eligible assets include veterans, Special Team (Taxi Squad) players, and draft picks of the three (3) teams demoted to the ladder below. Established team managers may also participate by declaring their intent to the league Vice. Their veterans, Special Team (Taxi Squad) players, and draft picks are added to the demoted three (3) teams combined assets. A virtual roll of a die is utilized to determine the order managers select draft positions from a predetermined list. Draft does not begin until all managers have been notified of the start date and time, responded to the notification, and paid their team fees for the season. An informal draft clock is utilized to ensure drafts proceed in a timely manner. If a manager is unable to meet the demands of the draft timer, they must notify the Director or league Vice prior to the draft starting to determine reasonable accommodations. Draft ends when all annual draft picks and Special Teams (Taxi Squad) players have been selected and every participating team has enough veteran players to fill out a Protection List.

     Entering New Cycle: Three (3) demoted teams from the higher ladder participate before joining the eighteen (18) established teams as part of a new twenty (20) team league. All twenty (20) teams start with zero (0) Paradigm points at the beginning of the new specific league cycle. All veteran players are returned to the free agency pool to be selected in the Phoenix Draft. The seventeen (17) established teams maintain their Special Team (Taxi Squad) players, draft picks, and FA$ while the three (3) demoted teams maintain their FA$.

Draft eligible assets include Special Team (Taxi Squad) players and draft picks of the three (3) teams promoted to the ladder above. Established team managers may not participate. A virtual roll of a die is utilized to determine the order managers select draft positions from a predetermined list. Draft does not begin until all managers have been notified of the start date and time, responded to the notification, and paid their team fees for the season. An informal draft clock is utilized to ensure drafts proceed in a timely manner. If a manager is unable to meet the demands of the draft timer, they must notify the Director or league Vice prior to the draft starting to determine reasonable accommodations. Draft ends when all annual draft picks and Special Team (Taxi Squad) players have been selected by participating teams.

Phoenix Draft: Occurs after completion of a Paradigm Shift Draft entering a new cycle, with all twenty (20) teams participating. Teams retain their Special Team (Taxi Squad) players, Annual draft picks, and FA$. Draft eligible assets include all veteran players (not already on a Taxi Squad). A virtual roll of a die is utilized to determine the order managers select draft position from a predetermined list. See “Drafts” tab for specifics. Draft does not begin until all managers have been notified of the start date and time, responded to the notification, and paid their team fees for the season. An informal draft clock is utilized to ensure drafts proceed in a timely manner. If a manager is unable to meet the demands of the draft timer, they must notify the Director or league Vice prior to the draft starting to determine reasonable accommodations. Forty (40) round veteran player selection followed by the opening of off-season free agency for managers to sign remaining free agents to fill out the roster. For rookie draft selections, the Annual Draft begins on Thursday three (3) weeks before the first game of the NFL season.

Manager Status: During the off-season, each team manager must confirm they are returning for league play the next season. Reasonable efforts should be made to retain all managers to maintain league integrity and competition. Upon completion of the Grand Finale week seventeen (17), each team has three (3) weeks to confirm they are returning for the next season of league play to the Director or league Vice. However, the Director or league Vice may make exceptions when appropriate. When one (1) manager does not return to a league, replacement managers are found to reestablish the team total to twenty (20) teams.

When two (2) or more managers do not return to a league, the following occurs: New team managers are found to replace the departing individuals. When applicable, priority is given to managers that are participating in other Paradigm leagues. Rosters for new teams are determined via Ouroboro Draft. If the team that just finished last is one (1) of multiple that does not return to a league in cycle, the Zed team for the following season is determined as follows: Overall win-loss percentage in specific league cycle – bottom team is Zed for the upcoming season. Tiebreaker is the average number of Paradigm points earned per season in a specific league cycle, then virtual dice roll.

Ouroboro Draft: Draft occurs between the end of the season and the Quorum when managers do not return to a league. New teams join established teams as part of an existing twenty (20) team league within their league cycle. Established teams maintain their roster, draft picks, FA$, and cycle Paradigm points. New teams enter league play with a specific number of FA$ and Paradigm points determined by totaling the total number of FA$ and Paradigm points held by the twenty (20) teams at the time of the draft and dividing that total by twenty (20) plus the year the cycle is entering. For example, entering year four (4) of a cycle the total amounts would be divided by twenty-five (24).

Draft eligible assets include veterans, Special Team (Taxi Squad) players, and draft picks of the teams that did not return to the league. The Zed team commodities are also added to the Ouroboro draftable commodities list after a Phoenix season and when a Reviver team does not return to league play. Established team managers may not participate when entering years one (1) and two (2) of a cycle, but they may participate when the league is entering years three through seven (3-7) of a cycle by declaring their intent to the Director or league Vice. Their veterans, Special Team (Taxi Squad) players, and draft picks are added to the draftable commodities list. Before existing teams are allowed to participate in an Ouroboro Draft, the Director and Vice review recent league activity to verify established team managers have not participated in transactions to manipulate this process prior to declaring their intentions to participate. In collaboration with the Vice, the Director may allow an established team to participate with restrictions when appropriate.

A virtual roll of a die is utilized to determine the order managers select draft positions from a predetermined list. The draft does not begin until all managers have been notified of the start date and time, responded to the notification, and paid their team fees for the season. However, the Director or league Vice may make exceptions when appropriate. An informal draft clock is utilized to ensure drafts proceed in a timely manner. If a manager is unable to meet the demands of the draft timer, they must notify their Vice prior to the draft starting to determine reasonable accommodations. Draft ends when all annual draft picks and Special Team (Taxi Squad) players have been selected and every participating team has enough veteran players to fill out a Protection List.

Draft Slot Integrity: To maintain exactly twenty-one (21) draft slots in Annual Drafts every year, the 9th pick in each round is awarded as follows:
     Phoenix Season: 18th Place also receives 1.09, 17th Place also receives 2.09, 16th Place also receives 3.09, 15th Place also receives 4.09, 14th Place also receives 5.09, 13th Place also receives 6.09, and 12th Place also receives 7.09
     Griffin Seasons: Reviver – 1.01 Draft Slot & 1.09, 10th Place (Order) also receives 2.09, 9th Place (Chaos) also receives 3.09, 9th Place (Order) also receives 4.09, 8th Place (Chaos) also receives 5.09, 8th Place (Order) also receives 6.09, and 7th Place (Chaos) also receives 7.09.

Pool Picks: Each league has two (2) contests during the season and all twenty-one (21) managers may participate. Winning FA$ allocations are made into team accounts the following off-season.
     NFL: Confidence style picks made weekly with NFL winners picked straight up. Points accumulate each week, and the winner is determined by most total points at the end of the NFL regular season. Winners are awarded as follows: 1st Place $30 FA$, 2nd Place $25 FA$, 3rd Place $20 FA$, 4th Place $15 FA$. Ties broken by highest single week totals.
     Survivor: Pick one (1) team to win each week of the NFL season. If they win, the manager keeps making a weekly selection. Two (2) incorrect weekly selections and that manager is eliminated. The winner is awarded $30 FA$, but all managers surviving the entire NFL regular season are awarded $40 FA$. If the last remaining managers are eliminated in the same week, each is awarded $20 FA$.

Award Ballot: Upon completion of week fifteen (15), the Director or league Vice will send an Award Ballot to all managers. A reasonable deadline for ballots to be returned will be set to ensure voting proceeds in a timely manner and winners can be announced. Teams that submit a completed ballot are credited an additional $30 FA$ the following off-season. The following awards are voted on annually:
     Manager of the Year
     Paradigm Player of the Year
     Offensive Player of the Year
     Defensive Player of the Year
     Clutch Performance of the Year
     Blunder of the Year
     Free Agency Signing of the Year
     Draft Pick of the Year
     Trade of the Year
     Pat Tillman Award

Apotheosis: The highest levels of league play within a ladder. Managers earn an invitation by winning their league cycle, Order level, Chaos level, or through an accumulation of Paradigm points. All-play wins, total points, and a virtual dice roll are tiebreakers within those categories when necessary. This best-of-the-best league occurs in the following formats:
     Every third season: redraft league, with single player copy when a ladder reaches level 07. These teams are made up by Order level champions within the ladder, then Chaos level champions, and Paradigm points accumulated over that time period make up the remainder of the eleven (11) team league.
     Every other season: redraft league, with single player copy when a ladder reaches level 09. These teams are made up by Order level champions within the ladder, then Chaos level champions, and Paradigm points accumulated over that time period make up the remainder of the eleven (11) team league.
     Every season: cycle league, with a player copy when a ladder reaches level 11. Average Paradigm points accumulated per season in the specific ladder since it began make up the entirety of the initial twenty (20) team league (minimum two (2) seasons required to be eligible).

After the initial Phoenix season the top ten (10) teams are promoted to the Order level for year two (2) of the cycle, the initial Griffin season. The bottom ten (10) teams are eliminated. Ten (10) teams enter the league at the Chaos level in seasons two (2) through five to seven (5-7) of the cycle. These teams are made up by Order level champions within the ladder, then Chaos level champions, and best win-loss records from the previous season. After seasons two (2) through five to seven (5-7) of a cycle, the top five (5) teams in both levels are elevated to the Order level of league play the following season. The other ten (10) teams are eliminated. A new cycle begins when at least one team accumulates four hundred and fourteen (414) or more Paradigm points in the league. A cycle automatically ends after seven (7) seasons regardless of accumulated Paradigm points. Winning an Apotheosis league cycle championship is the highest achievement a manager may earn within a ladder. The five (5) teams with the most Paradigm points earned in an Apotheosis specific league cycle automatically earn a team in the next cycle. Paradigm points accumulated within the ladder in league play over the previous Apotheosis cycle make up the remainder of the new twenty (20) team field.

Rule Changes: Rule discussions, proposals, and voting occurs each off-season shortly after completion of the Postseason Coda and league manager confirmations, but prior to the Quorum. Throughout the season, the Director and league Vices compile rulebook topics for consideration the next off-season. Managers may submit specific rule proposals to add to that list at any time. Each off-season the Director, Vices, and invited managers meet to discuss all topics compiled or submitted. They collaboratively decide which proposals are approved to become a permanent part of the Rulebook and assume equal status to all other rules. If a rule proposal conflicts with an existing rule in any way, another proposal must also be offered to amend the existing rule. The rulebook is not allowed to contradict itself. The Director shall mediate disputes arising from situations not explicitly covered in the rulebook, with the decision being the same as written rule.

Administration: The following positions are entrusted with running Paradigm Leagues.
     Director: Commissioner of all Paradigm Leagues. Oversees fair play, compiles statistical history, and mediates disputes.
     Vice: Assists the Director, taking additional responsibilities within a specific league.
     Manager: Runs a franchise, making general manager and head coaching decisions for their team(s).
     Associate: Prospective manager that is not currently running a franchise.

Paradigm Leagues is not affiliated, endorsed, or licensed by the NFL or NFLPA.