Owner Applications Policy

Akrobat · 08-02-2004, 05:30 PM

What do people do if they get an application they don't like, or an application from a guy who has known to drop leagues or quit? I don't have this problem, but I have experienced it in the past and am curious as to what people do. Do you email the guy back and tell him he doesn't fit your owner mold? Or is that too harsh? Do you tell a fib just to ease him down? I always felt torn on what to do when I got an application that I simply couldn't accept. I'm curious as to what other commissioners would do in this circumstance, and I'm sure many have already faced the dilema.

Also, do you think that requiring owners to answer a short questionairre is appropriate, or are you just putting yourself "above" everyone else when you do this? It could be a good method for backround checks of your future owners, making sure they are active and will stay in the league for the long haul. Thoughts?

rem · 08-02-2004, 05:34 PM

Give him the run around and nothing wrong with a questionairre.

ifspuds · 08-02-2004, 06:04 PM

I think telling the truth is the way to go here. Tell the prospective owner no, tell him why, tell him thank you for taking the time to submit an app, but you're going to have to say no.

If he can't accept a polite refusal, that to me just points up why you don't want him as an owner anyway.

disposableheros · 08-02-2004, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ifspuds

I think telling the truth is the way to go here. Tell the prospective owner no, tell him why, tell him thank you for taking the time to submit an app, but you're going to have to say no.

If he can't accept a polite refusal, that to me just points up why you don't want him as an owner anyway.

as a non-commish in a few leagues, the above is what i expect. tell me the truth and have a nice life.

i dont mind being asked a few qeustions either, but ill skip a league that asks for a 1000 word essay.

LivnLegend · 08-02-2004, 06:59 PM

I think it is important to give him an honest expectation of his chances of joining the league. The USBA does not get a lot of inquiries to join the league because I’ve never advertised on this message board for openings and openings are indeed rare. On occasion that I do get interest from someone I always do two things:
- I let them know up front that there are no openings and that openings are uncommon. When an opening does occur, I look for a “good fit” for the league, rather than the first name at the top of a waiting list.
- I ask a few questions that I expect or at least hope the prospective owner will answer. Nothing too involved, just things like “Do you prefer fictional leagues or leagues with real players and real teams?” and “How many leagues are you currently involved in?” and “Do you enjoy expanding the normal expectations of a league owner by submitting reports for your team or employing the use of a ghost writer for league articles?”

So far it has seemed to be a winning strategy. We have the best ownership base of any online league out there (although the UBF is close!

)

Akrobat · 08-02-2004, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivnLegend

So far it has seemed to be a winning strategy. We have the best ownership base of any online league out there (although the UBF is close!

)

Yep, if only we could find a way to get rid of Doug we'd be up there...

kq76 · 08-02-2004, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ifspuds

I think telling the truth is the way to go here. Tell the prospective owner no, tell him why, tell him thank you for taking the time to submit an app, but you're going to have to say no.

My philosophy, exactly! I'm glad we agree.

I figure that if we're honest with them with why we feel they don't fit what we're looking for, then perhaps they'll try to shore up that deficiency, whether it's reality or just a misconception. I know that when I get turned down for something that I like to know why so I can fix the problem and get whatever it is next time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akrobat

Also, do you think that requiring owners to answer a short questionairre is appropriate, or are you just putting yourself "above" everyone else when you do this? It could be a good method for backround checks of your future owners, making sure they are active and will stay in the league for the long haul. Thoughts?

I've seen a number of people post in this forum their negative opinions of applications, but I feel that as a commish it is my responsibility to try to make sure that we don't let troublemakers into the league to ruin the fun for the existing members. I do conduct searches of every new applicant and the apps help me do that. If others don't agree that the benefits outweigh the costs and decide not to apply, then that's unfortunate but it's probably for the best.

Randall · 08-02-2004, 10:16 PM

Most of the new GMs for FORT coem as referals from existing GMs, so I am always willing to give them a chance if an established GM says they are a good fit.

For those who are not a referal, my "questionaire" is basically jsut talking to them on AIM, which I feel is more personal than an online form. From talking to them I try to establish at least one league they are or have been in, or one existing GM they know. Then I ask that commish or GM about them and make my descision.

Only once have I had to refuse somebody, and I was upfront with them on why. They seemed to take it well, since I told them that perhaps in the future, if their reputation changed for the better, that FORT would be a better fit for them.

randomlefty10 · 08-02-2004, 11:36 PM

As a league prex for one of my leagues, it usually falls on me to talk to the new potential recruits. All I do is ask them to read over the rules in entirity and then ask a few (btw 2-5) questions on the rules to make sure they understand them. If someone can't handle that, then good riddance. The consequences of having a member that doesn't understand your rules and gets taken advantage of are far worse than having the AI run the team a little longer.

Akrobat · 08-03-2004, 02:15 AM

Some very good ideas in here! I knew this would be an enlightening topic

dougaiton · 08-03-2004, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akrobat

Yep, if only we could find a way to get rid of Doug we'd be up there...

My first three applications were rejected. It was only when I promised to smash those Tennessee teams into the ground that Akrobat finally relented.

bmcg1709 · 08-03-2004, 05:29 AM

A questionnaire for commissioners might be a good idea. It would be good to know if they were in it for the long haul or were liable to drop leagues or quit without warning.

If you knew they had done this a couple of times in the past you may be wary of joining their latest venture.

sporr · 08-03-2004, 10:32 AM

I've never been one for formal questionnaires. In the past, we have just let interested parties know that we pick what we feel is the best available owner. What we have done for most is ask them to tell us why they would make a good addition to the league. It's up to them to sell themselves and convince us to let them in. Modern-day leagues are a little tougher in terms of weeding out the riff-raff from the serious.

Akrobat · 08-03-2004, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougaiton

My first three applications were rejected. It was only when I promised to smash those Tennessee teams into the ground that Akrobat finally relented.

OH CRAP! I thought you lived in OT and never left, so I figured that post was safe!

The fact that you drafted about 10 guys that I wanted made me realize your team was going to be the best!

08-02-2004, 05:30 PM	#1
Akrobat All Star Reserve Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 922	Owner Applications Policy What do people do if they get an application they don't like, or an application from a guy who has known to drop leagues or quit? I don't have this problem, but I have experienced it in the past and am curious as to what people do. Do you email the guy back and tell him he doesn't fit your owner mold? Or is that too harsh? Do you tell a fib just to ease him down? I always felt torn on what to do when I got an application that I simply couldn't accept. I'm curious as to what other commissioners would do in this circumstance, and I'm sure many have already faced the dilema. Also, do you think that requiring owners to answer a short questionairre is appropriate, or are you just putting yourself "above" everyone else when you do this? It could be a good method for backround checks of your future owners, making sure they are active and will stay in the league for the long haul. Thoughts? __________________ Writers-Bloc -- Boston Saints -1990: Player to be Announced

08-02-2004, 05:34 PM	#2
rem Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: College Park, Md. Posts: 5,024	Give him the run around and nothing wrong with a questionairre. __________________ OTBA: Washington Filibusters CLBR: Minnesota Twins 2005 Winner of LL's Pick the Loser Contest! - 15-0

08-02-2004, 06:04 PM	#3
ifspuds Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 2,117	I think telling the truth is the way to go here. Tell the prospective owner no, tell him why, tell him thank you for taking the time to submit an app, but you're going to have to say no. If he can't accept a polite refusal, that to me just points up why you don't want him as an owner anyway. __________________ Jeff Watson Former dynasty writer and online league player, now mostly retired

08-02-2004, 06:59 PM	#5
LivnLegend Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: 100% pure adrenaline! Posts: 5,624	I think it is important to give him an honest expectation of his chances of joining the league. The USBA does not get a lot of inquiries to join the league because I’ve never advertised on this message board for openings and openings are indeed rare. On occasion that I do get interest from someone I always do two things: - I let them know up front that there are no openings and that openings are uncommon. When an opening does occur, I look for a “good fit” for the league, rather than the first name at the top of a waiting list. - I ask a few questions that I expect or at least hope the prospective owner will answer. Nothing too involved, just things like “Do you prefer fictional leagues or leagues with real players and real teams?” and “How many leagues are you currently involved in?” and “Do you enjoy expanding the normal expectations of a league owner by submitting reports for your team or employing the use of a ghost writer for league articles?” So far it has seemed to be a winning strategy. We have the best ownership base of any online league out there (although the UBF is close! ) __________________ Excess ain't rebellion. You're drinking what they're selling.

08-02-2004, 10:16 PM	#8
Randall Major Leagues Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: VA Posts: 321	Most of the new GMs for FORT coem as referals from existing GMs, so I am always willing to give them a chance if an established GM says they are a good fit. For those who are not a referal, my "questionaire" is basically jsut talking to them on AIM, which I feel is more personal than an online form. From talking to them I try to establish at least one league they are or have been in, or one existing GM they know. Then I ask that commish or GM about them and make my descision. Only once have I had to refuse somebody, and I was upfront with them on why. They seemed to take it well, since I told them that perhaps in the future, if their reputation changed for the better, that FORT would be a better fit for them. __________________ Randall FORT - Atlanta Braves CPL - Pittsburg Pirates Formerly NABL - Philadelphia Phillies Formerly GMC - Vasto Rangers Formerly NBA - Atlanta Braves - 1973 Champ Formerly ThePBL - Anaheim Angels - 1975 Champ

08-02-2004, 11:36 PM	#9
randomlefty10 All Star Starter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 1,438	As a league prex for one of my leagues, it usually falls on me to talk to the new potential recruits. All I do is ask them to read over the rules in entirity and then ask a few (btw 2-5) questions on the rules to make sure they understand them. If someone can't handle that, then good riddance. The consequences of having a member that doesn't understand your rules and gets taken advantage of are far worse than having the AI run the team a little longer. __________________ Find your passion, embrace it, and leave the world a better place than you found it.

08-03-2004, 02:15 AM	#10
Akrobat All Star Reserve Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 922	Some very good ideas in here! I knew this would be an enlightening topic __________________ Writers-Bloc -- Boston Saints -1990: Player to be Announced

08-03-2004, 05:29 AM	#12
bmcg1709 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Sussex UK Posts: 20	A questionnaire for commissioners might be a good idea. It would be good to know if they were in it for the long haul or were liable to drop leagues or quit without warning. If you knew they had done this a couple of times in the past you may be wary of joining their latest venture. Last edited by bmcg1709; 08-03-2004 at 05:33 AM. Reason: spelling

08-03-2004, 10:32 AM	#13
sporr Global Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Muscatine, IA Posts: 8,277	I've never been one for formal questionnaires. In the past, we have just let interested parties know that we pick what we feel is the best available owner. What we have done for most is ask them to tell us why they would make a good addition to the league. It's up to them to sell themselves and convince us to let them in. Modern-day leagues are a little tougher in terms of weeding out the riff-raff from the serious.