Ask The Commish: Critical Co-Worker Commissioner Conundrum

We’re in a Yahoo league where Taysom Hill is listed as a TE. The Saints are using him as a QB. Is it fair that he can be used in the TE slot? I don’t think it is but I can’t do anything about it. Do you have any suggestions?

No. Nope. I do not. It’s neither unfair, nor should you do anything about it. It doesn’t matter that you’re uncomfortable with his Yahoo position designation, versus his use in the land of reality. Are you concerned about this as a competitor of the person who has him on their roster, or are you viewing this through the prism of a commissioner? Either way, this shouldn’t be a concern for you. Sometimes an NFL team will use a player in a role that doesn’t match what it says on their official roster. That happens. That’s real-life football. The 49ers will plop Deebo Samuel (a wide receiver) in the backfield, and hand off the ball to him just like a running back. Do you view his situation with the same concern as with Taysom?

I’m not going to assume that you knew who Taysom Hill was before this season, because that is totally possible. You might be new to football. I sincerely am not being sarcastic in any way when I say that. I hear from commissioners who are new not only to Fantasy Football, but also to the game of football itself, all the time. While the way the Saints use him (all over the field) is nothing new, I’m sure there are a lot of new fantasy players who are learning about Taysom Hill for the first time.

In any case, identifying and snagging versatile players that are used in creative ways by their team, is a tactic utilized by many fantasy players.  That’s part of the game. I would stand down on this one, fellow commissioner.

I started this season as the commissioner of our work league. This week, our boss assigned a co-worker as a co-commissioner. They originally asked me to do it because they didn’t want to do it anymore. I already have experience running another league of my own, I know what I’m doing so I said sure, because I thought I was helping keep the league afloat. But I don’t want to run the league with another person, and I wasn’t asked about someone else doing it with me.  I asked my boss why he added another commissioner and he basically said, “checks and balances.” That's funny, since he didn’t have anyone be a co-commissioner when he did it.

I want to withdraw as commissioner, but this is a work league and I’m not sure how this will affect work dynamics with my boss if I pull out. We’ve already had office conflicts because of our league in the past. I could just go along, but I think that would just really suck. Did I mention, I hate the guy he chose to do it with me? Am I being petty and making a big deal out of nothing?

I personally would never want to “co-commish” a fantasy league with anyone. Doing it with someone at work would be especially heinous. I’m sure someone will come screeching into my email telling me, “We’ve been running our league like this for 50 years!” To them I would say, “Awesome!” I’m glad it’s worked out for them and for many others. Admittedly, I just get the stories from the leagues where it doesn’t. I know there are a number of leagues that are run this way, although I’m not quite sure how popular this management style really is. At the end of the day, if it works for the people involved, fantastic. However, your predicament is one example of why I wouldn’t do it myself. I’ve talked about this in depth before (check it out), but let’s get more specific about your situation.

First, you’re not being petty. Secondly, you want to keep the experience of playing in your fantasy league pleasurable one. It would be safe to say that most of us feel this way. If running the league with someone else, in addition to them being someone you don’t like, would ruin the whole experience for you, then I’d say that’s a pretty big deal.

So yeah, you should remove yourself as commissioner, especially if you’re sure you don’t think you can or (more importantly) don’t want to convince King Boss that you don’t need help. If you feel a polite discussion with him won’t result in you retaining solo commish status, then bow out. You have every right to get what you want.

Removing yourself as commissioner, however, doesn’t have to be that dramatic or contentious of an event. Just tell them that running two leagues at the same time is too much. You thought you could do it, but you were wrong, and of course, you owe your first allegiance to your own league. Tell them you think it’s the fair thing to do - right now - before it gets too far into the season.

The above action doesn’t reveal any of your less than positive sentiments about the “co,” or about co-managing a league in general. Going this route will keep the peace and deftly avoids any fallout of yet another interoffice conflict. Office dynamics can be toxic enough as it is. There’s no need for you to be responsible adding to the swirl.

One last thing about the whole idea some folks have about two people running a league, that it is good for “checks and balances.” If members in a league can’t trust their commissioner (for whatever reason) and think adding another commissioner is the solution, I’d say forget it. Everyone should stop screwing around and just get a new commissioner to run the league, someone they can trust. If the commissioner refuses to step down thereby holding the league hostage with their presence, then the members should cease to play, dissolve the league, and start anew.

Send your questions to The Commish: thecommishshow@outlook.com