Fantasy Football Collusion

Q:  The following trade was made on 10/20.

Team A traded Donovan McNabb, Phi QB to Team B
Team B traded Laveranues Coles, NYJ WR to Team A
Team B traded Chester Taylor, Min RB to Team A

Team  B QB  was on a bye week and he needed one.  Team A did not need any of these players and McNabb was his best QB (he has Garrard as well).  The trade was approved by our commissioner after several protests.  He stated the trade was equitable.  Team B played McNabb and Team A did not play any of the above players.

Now on 10/23 the following trade has been accepted.

Team A trades Laveranues Coles, NYJ WR to Team B
Team B trades Desmond Clark, Chi TE to Team A
Team B  trades Donovan McNabb, Phi QB to Team A

Now my  question to you is this a fair trade?  Can you allow other teams to borrow players for bye weeks if the trade is equitable?

A:  Hi Harry.  Thanks for your inquiry.  In this case, we don’t think it matters whether or not the trade is “equitable”.  What matters is that this is a clear case of collusion which is simply not acceptable.  Two teams cannot be allowed to conspire together during the season as it completely disrupts the balance of power in the league.

There is really not much difference between two teams borrowing players during bye weeks as in your case, and two teams simply combining all their top players onto one “all-star” team – which of course would be met with outrage among your fellow owners.

Now, you can’t do anything about the first trade since its been a game since it went through.  But you can do something about the follow up that was accepted on 10/23.  Again, this is clearly collusion and this trade should be vetoed.  Sure, AZ will be stuck with McNabb on his squad but these two teams should be content that they both benefited from the 10/20 trade and shouldn’t need this second trade on 10/23 to even it out – if they are on the up and up.