Team Cost Analysis and FAQs

The below examples demonstrate the new pricing structure and allow for a comparison between the existing (per player) cost structure and the new (team) cost structure.

The “Cost”, below, reflects the cost for male players; the $5 discount for female players is calculated into the female player cost.  Historically, the average team size tends to be approximately 17 players (12 males, 5 females), so that number was used for these examples.  The “Timing”, below, refers to when the team registered — the first letter represents when the team registered (early, regular, late) and the second letter represents whether the player is returning or new to the team.

Old Cost Structure (per player cost)

Contrast the amounts in the above table with the “Team Cost” pricing structure, illustrated below.

New Cost Structure (team cost)

Comparing the two tables shows that the team cost effectively removes the distinction between new and regular players as well as the distinction between male and female players while keeping costs substantially the same.  While there may be a difference of a few dollars for some players, the overwhelming majority of players wind up in a substantially similar situation under the new team cost approach compared to the former approach (compared to both the “Early” and “Regular” registration).  And, you can see, it is far simpler!  There is a slight additional disincentive for late-registering teams ($100 cost/per player with the team cost approach vs. $95 per player with the former approach), but that is by design to incentivize early registration.

Per-Game Cost to Players
Under a more traditional format (regular season and playoffs), a player would typically get between 8-10 total games.  For a new player at a cost of $85 (old structure), the per-game cost to a player would be between $8.50 and $10.63 with most players being on the higher end.  Under a “Premier League” format, the per-game cost to a player would be firm at $10.00 (for the first 17; less beyond 17).

FAQ’s:
What if a team wants to have more or less than 17 players on the roster?  As always, teams must have 15 players (min) on the team’s final roster, but there is no upper limit.  Should a team choose to have fewer than 17 players on their roster, that team’s per-player costs would increase, but there are far fewer teams impacted by this as those that would benefit.  Sorry, but something had to give somewhere!  On the flip side, for teams that have more than 17 players, that team would pay an additional per-player cost, fixed at $75.00.  This amount is the lowest current price offered (female, returning player) and far lower than any “late” rate.

The additional season looks to be a money grab.  Is that all it is?  Hardly.  In fact, the numbers support that this change is not driven by money.  There are certainly some implications, but the hope is that those implications will have the potential to also benefit Captains and players.  For example:

1.  Condensed schedule offering clarity.  A more firm schedule allows players to plan more effectively and may help players to determine whether they can commit.  This should also alleviate some uncertainty about when the season will start or end as all dates should be determined shortly after the initial season starts.

2. Alleviate playoff issues.  In recent years, teams have increasingly struggled to have enough players available for playoffs.  Since teams are limited to their rosters for playoffs, many teams faced challenges, including being able to field a full, healthy team.  This new format would alleviate many of these issues.  To balance the competing interests at play, non-roster players will be permitted for all eight (8) games in a season.  However,

3.  Alleviate additional referee fees.  In some cases, teams are required to pay the referee fees for games beyond eight.  This will no longer apply, prospectively saving players some additional fees.

How will these changes impact the usage of Non-Roster Players?  Teams will still be able to use non-roster players as they have in the past.  However, to balance the competing interests at play, non-roster players will be permitted to play in any of the eight (8) games in a given season.  However, to prevent players from getting a “free pass”, non-roster players would be limited to no more than three (3) games in that season for any one given team.  (Note: Non-roster players on the non-roster form will count as having played in that game).

How will roster changes be impacted?  If a team needs to make a roster adjustment, the Captain should make a request to the League, which will apply discretion in making a change.  Such roster adjustments will, at least initially, be more on the liberal side as the League gets a sense of how this will play out.

How does the discount work if teams plan to play multiple seasons?  There will be a question on the registration platform (not there yet) to this effect.  A team can indicate if they would like to prepay for up to three seasons (the 2nd, 3rd, and/or 4th).  For each season, the Captain will get a $50.00 discount for prepayment of the team’s deposit.  For example, a Captain in season #1 wishes to submit a deposit for Season #1, Season #2, and Season #4.  The total owed would be $600.00 ($200 deposit x 3 seasons), but the Captain would get a $100 discount, so the amount due would be $500.00.  And the team would be guaranteed a spot – and would have gotten a discount – for two additional seasons.  In order to help with timing, the additional deposits will be reflected on the invoice and would not be due until the Payment Deadline.

Are there any drawbacks?  Potentially, yes, but the League has attempted to limit that downside.  Following the above example, assume the Captain was not able to field a team for Season #4.  That Captain has paid the $200 deposit and gotten a $50 discount, so they are $150 invested.  If they are unable to field a team, the League will apply that credit toward one (1) team spot in the Saturday league.  The balance will, sadly, be lost to the player.  If a deposit is ever paid for a season that is not offered by the League, that deposit will be refunded in full to the Captain (or, if preferred by the Captain, applied to the next season).

Will players be able to get a new shirt each season?  Unfortunately, no.  There are no changes to the Shirt Policy, but the provision providing for a $5 discount to returning players is no longer applicable under the new cost structure.

How will this pricing structure affect Free Agent (FA) players?  Generally speaking, this will have no impact on Free Agents whatsoever.  However, in instances where an individual registering as FAs asks to be placed on a specific team, the player will owe any difference between their registration cost and what their registration cost would have been had they registered as part of the team.  This amount will be reflected on the team’s invoice sent to the team Captain.

My team just found out about the League.  Are we still responsible for the additional $250.00 fee for late registration?  If a team is new to the League (e.g., nearly all have never played before) and a Captain wishes to register during “late” registration, the League may exercise discretion to waive some portion of this additional late fee.