Money removed from total payments each season, redistributed upon completion of a five to seven (5-7) season cycle.

The highest levels of league play within a ladder. Teams earn an invitation by winning their league cycle, league level, or through an accumulation of Paradigm points.

Prospective manager that is not currently running a franchise.

Lower level of league play during Griffin seasons.

Head-to-head match-ups between two (2) teams, in week eighteen (18).

A five to seven (5-7) season sequence within a single league where teams accumulate points yearly, based on performance. A new cycle begins when at least one team achieves a specific milestone.

Process where teams that perform poorly play the following season in the lower level within a league.

Player categories utilized by managers when posting their team Protection List.

Commissioner of all Paradigm Leagues. Oversees fair play, compiles statistical history, and mediate disputes.

Annual offseason event where teams select rookies and unrostered veteran players. Begins on the Thursday two weeks before the 1st game of NFL season.

Grand Finale match-ups between lower tier, non-Zed, Chaos level teams.

Process where teams that perform well play the following season in the higher level within a league.

Group Stage and Knockout Round match-ups between mid-tier teams.

Grand Finale match-ups between upper tier, non-championship, Order level teams.

A roster that has not been promoted or relegated, participating in the same league as it did the season before.

The collection of teams managed by one (1) person or group of people in collaboration.

All-play match-ups between two to seven (2-7) teams, cumulative over weeks sixteen (16) and seventeen (17).

Seasons two (2) through five to seven (5-7) of a cycle, where teams split between order and chaos levels based on finish the previous season. Ten (10) in each. 

All-play match-ups between two to seven (2-7) teams, cumulative over weeks twelve (12) and thirteen (13).

All-play match-ups between two to seven (2-7) teams, cumulative over weeks fourteen (14) and fifteen (15).

A group of leagues, where teams may be promoted or demoted between them based on long-term performance.

A group of teams competing against each other for championships. A standard Paradigm League has twenty (20) teams and uses two (2) copies of players.

Tiers within a single league. During a Phoenix season, a league has one (1) level, but during Griffin seasons a league has two (2) levels.

Runs a franchise, making general manager and head coaching decisions for their team(s).

Group Stage and Knockout Round match-ups between lower tier teams.

The last/highest bid on a restricted free agent 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.

The initial free agency offer made by a team to sign a player. Teams are restricted by the number of opening bids they may make.

Upper level of league play during Griffin seasons.

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).

Each player is eligible to be rostered twice in standard Paradigm Leagues.

A professional American football player eligible to be rostered.

Process where teams that perform well over the long-term are transferred to a higher league within a ladder.

Groups of offensive, defensive, and special teams players each team hopes to roster the following season.

Annual offseason event where league managers meet to determine each team’s free agents. Begins on the second Thursday after the Super Bowl.

Process where teams that perform poorly over the long-term are transferred to a lower league within a ladder.

Defunct term.  Formerly referred to a team returning to competition the season after finishing last and being eliminated from competition.

Grand Finale match-ups between mid-tier level teams. Teams that perform well are elevated to Order level while those that perform poorly are demoted to Chaos level the following season.

A roster of players competing within a single league.

The best American football video game of all-time.  Period.

Assists the Director, taking additional responsibilities within a specific league.

Designation indicating a team finished in dead last place.  Formerly referred to a team eliminated from league play the season after finishing last.

Knockout Round or Grand Finale match-ups between lower tier Chaos level teams.

Group Stage and Knockout Round match-ups between upper tier teams.