A. League Membership

[Philadelphia Brawlers]

A. Teams and League Makeup

A.1 Membership in the PTD
The league commissioner will grant membership into the PTD and officially award franchises. The franchise will be awarded at his discretion based on interest application and interview with prospective GM.
Established GM's have the right to return each year without having to reapply for the said position as long as they remain in good standing with the league and all league business. Owners can be released from their membership without warning if the demands of GM are not met or if conduct is detrimental to the league.

A.2 Franchise Name
Each GM has the right to select a team name of their choice. GM's also have the right to change their team name any time following the end of the season (Week 17) and February 1st. The team name MUST be in this format. A City/State followed by a nickname. (EX: Los Angeles Stars)
When a new GM takes over a franchise previously held by another, the new GM has the right to rename the franchise and select a new logo (except during the season).

A.3 League Fees
Each PTD member is required to pay the $100 (add $3 for paypal fee if not sending $$ to a friend) entrance fee by March 30th of each calendar year. The entrance fee includes everything outlined in League Financials section of bylaws. Failure to pay league fee will result in a penalty imposed by the PTD commissioner which could include the loss of draft pick(s) or in some cases expulsion from the league.

A.3.A. Member Reimbursement
Leave on/before March 30th (Deadline: 11:59 EST) - FULL refund
Leave on/before April 30th (Deadline: 11:59 EST)- 50 % refund
Leave on/after June 1st - No refund

New owners MUST pay entire $100 entrance fee ($103 w/Paypal)...... Money from previous owner gets added to total pot for highest scoring lineup each week. Money will be decided upon by league vote on how to be allocated.

A.4 GM Responsibilities
GM's are expected to remain active and engaged in all league activities at all times. Failure to do so could result in expulsion from league. To ensure this, the following rules are in effect:
1. GM's must NOT use inflammatory, overly offensive, or ethic, racial, or sexual slurs.
2. GM's should respect fellow GM's and answer all emails, PM's, phone calls, and respond to trade offers in a timely manner.
3. GM’s are expected to remain active in all aspects of league (setting lineups, participating in pools and side games, listening to podcasts, etc...)
4. GM's must vote on all league proposals brought up during off season.
5. GM's must inform the commissioner if they do not plan on returning to the league.

A.5 Teams and Divisions
The PTD will consist of 12 franchises divided into three 4 team divisions.

The Divisions will be as follows:
United Division
American Division
National Division

A.7 Changing of Membership
*In the event there is a change in membership, the new GM will inherit the same players that were on the roster of the franchise held by the previous GM and will take over all administrative powers of that team. The draft positioning and all future draft picks will remain the same as they were when the previous owner was GM.
*If more than one franchise is available a dispersal draft could be held.

A.8. Penalties (PTB Fines) For League Violations
League PTB penalties will be assessed per violation. League will use a tiered PTB Fine System. These fine reset every year. A new year begins on the day the site is rolled over to the new year.

Tiered System:
First Offense: 15 PTB's
Second Offense: 30 PTB's
Third Offense: 50 PTB's Plus... Rules Committee will meet to discuss said teams future in the league.
** Every offense after fines increase 25 PTB's ** (EX: 4th time is $75, 5th time $100 , etc...)

A.8.A Fineable Offenses for Tiered System:
1. Starting a player declared out at least 24 hours prior to kickoff of said players game
2. Missing a Call-Out Playoff Match-up
3. NOT voting on a Rule Proposal or League Wide Vote
4. Missing a contract announcement deadline for all draft picks, free agents and for players who received either a franchise, transition, or super tag.
** If a franchise misses a contract year announcement (all deadlines are announce at least 5 days ahead of time by commissioner), all players will only receive a 1 year contract. This will be in addition to the $15 PTB fine.

A.8.B Fineable Offenses - Flat Fine:
1. Starting a player on bye - $25 PTB fine
2. Contract Cap Violation (Section C.2.A) - $5 PTB's per year over cap

* There are NO exceptions to the fine. Once infraction is made the penalty is assessed.
* Owners will have 1 calendar day from time notified by commissioner to appeal the fine. If an appeal is asked for, the Rules Committee will be called to order and the appeal will be heard and ruled upon by them.
* If a team does not have enough PTB's in their account to cover the fine the amount needed to cover the fine, the amount will be deducted and balance will be negative.

A.9. Expulsion From the League
Removing an GM is a very serious consideration and one that the league will seek to avoid at all costs. In the event it becomes necessary, the league may expel an owner.

If it arises, this path will be followed:
a. The commissioner shall recommend to the Rules committee that a GM be removed.
b. Rules Committee Will vote to determine if said owner is removed.
c. The commissioner shall assume control of the team and a replacement GM shall be found as soon as possible. (in season)
e. The new GM will inherit the team's roster and draft position.

A.9.A. Reasons for Expulsion
    *** Failure to pay for league fees
    *** Team abandonment
    *** Cheating/collusion of any sort

A.10. Team Abandonment
If an GM refuses to respond to repeated e-mail messages/ phone calls or voluntary quits the league, that team will be declared abandoned. As the result of team abandonment, the following shall occur:

a. The commissioner shall announce to the league that said team has been abandoned.
b. The commissioner shall assume control of the team and a replacement GM shall be found as soon as possible. (in season)
c. The new GM will inherit the team's roster and draft position.

[Philadelphia Brawlers]

1/23/13

A.5 Entrance Fee raised to $75 ($77 with paypal fee)

[Philadelphia Brawlers]

2/2/14

Update to include new penalty system (Sections A.8 and A.9)

[Philadelphia Brawlers]

2/6/18

Section A.2 Division Realignment Added....

[Philadelphia Brawlers]

2/10/21

A.8 New penalties/fines added

[Philadelphia Brawlers]

3/15/2021

A.6 - new entrance fee established

[Philadelphia Brawlers]

02/16/2023

A.6. Division Realignment every 5 years removed.

[Philadelphia Brawlers]

02/11/2024

verbiage cleaned up and bylaws organized