House rules — the things we do that ESPN doesn’t enforce on its own.

The Shiva

The league championship. Winning the title makes you the reigning Shiva until someone takes it from you. The Shiva may add a rule to be implemented in the league.

The Sacko

Last place. Finishing last earns you the Sacko — the mark of shame that lives on forever.

Punishment: A beer or milk mile. If the punishment is not completed by draft day the next year. The league selects your 2nd round pick.

Playoffs

Six teams make the playoffs. The top-5 are placed by record. The 6th seed is given to the team with the highest remaining Points For. First-round byes are given to the top 2 seeds. Second rounds are re-seeded.

The bracket is double-elimination. Winners advance and losers play for consolation places. The 5th–8th place finishes are decided the second-to-last playoff week.

Sacko bracket

The six remaining teams miss the playoffs and are placed in the sacko bracket. The 11th and 12th seeded teams are given byes with less chances to win to get out of the Sacko bracket.

Losers “advance” closer to the Sacko. Winners play for consolation places.

Co-championship

If the championship game ends in an exact tie, the title is shared: both managers are co-champions and each is credited with half a Shiva.

Scoring

No IDPs.

Keepers

Teams may keep a single player from their rosters to be on their teams the following year at the cost of two rounds earlier than the player was drafted. Undrafted players cost a 13th-round pick. Players taken in the 1st and 2nd rounds are ineligible for keepers.

For example: If a player was drafted in the 5th round, they can be kept for a 3rd round the following year.

Dues & payouts

You guys aren’t paying money every year?