Define a "competitive" league

[nsulham]

Obviously any league where EVERY owner is active and alert is competitive but lets face it, not every league is like that.

So if 1-2 owners in a league aren't exactly experts but aren't brain dead either, is that a "competitive" league?

Naturally we all want a challenge and want to test ourselves against good competition but what's the yardstick one should use in determining how "competitive" your league is?

[Franchise Fan]

I didnt know defining your league was important. Its fantasy football, hell, if money is on the line, its always competitive. So theres my definition..
Its competitive when you lose money if you dont win.

[nsulham]

I didnt know defining your league was important. Its fantasy football, hell, if money is on the line, its always competitive. So theres my definition..
Its competitive when you lose money if you dont win.

I ask because I see posts that say "In a competitive league..." or "In my competitive 12 team league..." so I just wanted to know what criteria they use to determine that. That's all.

[CKY_ROX]

all money leagues are competitive and the ones taht arnt, as long as all of the owners know something and can put together nice lineups each sunday then it looks good to me

[Wolverine]

* Money on the line...at least $100 per GM to make it interesting

* Strong knowledge in fantasy football across the league

* Heavy trashtalk (a factor of competition)

(Optional add-in): no free agency, all teams must trade with other GM's in order to fill holes or better their squad. I think this is an attribute to a league that sets leagues apart, free agency lends itself to people just checking the waiver wire for the players that broke through the following week.

Those are my thoughts.

[Free Bagel]

If Tom Brady goes in the first round of your draft, it's not a competitive league.

If (insert 4th round or later player) goes in the first round of your draft, it's not a competitive league.

[ferris182]

Active and knowledgeable football owners make a competative league.

[slowkidz]

Active and knowledgeable football owners make a competative league.

This is a good statement. Adding $$ to a league doesn't automatically make it competitive. It does however increase the excitement. IMO, to have a competitive league you need owners who can give you a run for your money. Owners who know the game, keep up on all the news, and are willing to make the moves necessary to increase their team's position/chances of winning.

If you're in a league where moves are not made, talk is limited, or your forum is a ghost town, then odds are you are not in a competitive league.

[Cornbread Maxwell]

I agree with Slow.
A "competitive" league is kind of tough to define.
First - an absolute minimum of 10 teams - usually 12. Every owner needs to be active. Every owner needs to be fantasy wise. Every owner should be up to date on NFL news and events.
The part Slow said about giving you a "run for your money" is right on - if you are much smarter about fantasy football than the majority of people in your league - it probably isnt very competitive.
Another thing is respect - If you go trolling for the idiot by offering lopsided trades, it probably isnt very competitive.

Hope that helps.

[Xtreme]

Another thing is respect - If you go trolling for the idiot by offering lopsided trades, it probably isnt very competitive.

Yeah, this is key. If you can identify "the idiot", your league isn't competitive.