The Dynasty Commissioner's Handbook is your guide to creating and overseeing a harmonious and enduring fantasy football league experience. In this seven-part series, we'll introduce you to your responsibilities for each phase of the dynasty lifecycle.

Once you've decided to put on a commish hat, the preparation for your debut performance begins in earnest.

The task of starting a dynasty fantasy football league is much like assembling a fresh orchestra and whipping it into shape. You get to recruit the players, select the music, and make sure the instruments are tuned.

RELATED: See Part 1 - Are You Ready to Lead? here

When the curtain rises for the inaugural season, all eyes will be on you. Your baton won't wave in front of brass or strings, but rather over league bylaws, draft boards, and trade talks. If you want your league to strike the right chord from the start and play in harmony for seasons to come, you'll need vision, structure, tenacity - and a little showmanship.

You say you're confident and up for the gig? Then let's go!

Draft Your League Constitution

Without a set of rules, there's too much chance for discord. Your constitution outlines the way you're going to run the show. It's also an arbitration guide that provides a reference point for decisions, helps prevent confusion and disputes, and keeps everyone playing the same tune.

Key elements to include:

• League format (number of teams, division structure)
• League fees and expenses
• Roster settings (starters and bench)
• Scoring system
• League calendar
• Draft rules (startup and rookie)
• Trade rules
• Waivers and free agency settings
• Playoff structure
• Prize pool allocation
• Code of conduct for managers
• Dispute resolution process
• Rule change procedure
• Orphan team management
• League shutdown procedures (yes, even this)

Like to conduct with a flair? Consider adopting some of my innovative rules for your fantasy football league to put your creative stamp on the performance.

Want a head start on creating your league constitution? Check out this template from Footballguy Will Grant.

Best Practices:

• Make your league constitution an easily accessible document with version history.
• Solicit improvement suggestions every offseason.

Choose Your League Format

Select the arrangement of format options that suits your vision:

Standard Dynasty or Keeper League
In traditional dynasty leagues, entire rosters roll over year to year. In keeper leagues, only a few players are retained.

Points Per Reception (PPR)
Each catch earns fantasy points.

Individual Defensive Players (IDP)
Defenders are included in the player pool.

Superflex
Quarterbacks may be used as flex starters.

Tight End Premium
Bonus points are awarded for receptions by tight ends.

Devy
Rosters include college players.

Salary Cap / Contract Leagues
Player contract management comes into play.

Host Your League

Choose your host platform as carefully as you would a concert hall—the venue will affect every performance. Pick the platform that best supports your league settings and budget. Popular options include:

MyFantasyLeague (MFL)
Provides extensive customization options, although a steep learning curve is associated with it.

Sleeper
Has a modern interface that's mobile-friendly.

FleaFlicker
Is a solid option, but has a slightly dated user interface.

SafeLeagues
Supports leagues in a variety of formats.

Build Your League Calendar

The league calendar is your master sheet music. Incorporate these measures into your composition:

Start-up Draft Date
Specify when rosters will initially get populated.

Fee Collection Deadline
Set the due date for league fees.

Annual Rookie Draft Date
Schedule when rookies and fantasy free agents will be added to rosters.

The Head-to-Head Schedule
Shuffle the regular season schedule every year to randomize bye-week impacts.

Your Waiver Wire Rhythm
When will waivers run? Before the first game each week? Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings? Daily, at the same time? Will you open a free agent acquisition window post-waivers? Set a rhythm appropriate to your league milestone arrangement.

Trade Blackout Dates
Schedule your trade deadline to occur before the start of your playoffs. Common choices include: the kickoff of Week 11 or 12, the NFL's trade deadline, and the end of the fantasy regular season. Configure your host platform to disable trade activity accordingly.

NFL Schedule Shenanigans
Games on Saturdays? Thanksgiving triple-headers? Holiday start time oddities? These affect lineups and waivers. Let your league know in advance when a Thursday or Saturday game bumps up start/sit decisions or waivers. Proactive notices prevent passive-aggressive grumbles.

Fantasy Playoff Dates
Determine when your fantasy playoff games will be held.

Best Practice
Share a short preseason memo or graphic with all the key dates, including rookie draft, final roster cutdown, waiver schedule, trade deadline, and playoff weeks. Everyone needs to know the concert schedule.

Assemble Your Orchestra

Recruiting league members isn't just about filling seats—it's about putting together the right blend of instruments.

Start with people you know and trust.
Recruit friends, colleagues, and players from your other leagues.

Connect with folks in fantasy football communities.
Search Reddit r/DynastyFF, Discord servers, Twitter/X, or fantasy football forums such as Footballguys' Looking For Leagues.

Screen candidates for fit with your league vibe.
Ask prospective owners about their experience, time commitment, and league format preferences. Make sure they understand how your league works.

Compose the Start-up Draft

This is like your dress rehearsal. It will put all the pieces in place for the inaugural season ahead.

Structure

• 25 to 35 rounds, depending on starter requirements and desired roster depth.
• Four to 12 hours per pick in slow draft formats.
• Serpentine or third-round reversal (3RR) draft order.

Details, Details

• Clarify whether rookies will be included.
• Specify how trades will work during the draft.
• Set firm rules for what will happen should the draft clock expire (e.g., pick is forfeited, host platform auto-picks, or the commissioner selects).

Set the Start-up Draft Order

Your concert program outlines the order of performance. Finalize the playlist using one of these options:

Random draw
Use an online draft order generator.

Kentucky Derby Style
Have a random draw determine the order in which owners get to select their draft position.

Auction
Each owner starts with a fixed overall budget. The commissioner nominates the first player to be drafted. Managers bid, auction-style, to acquire the player. The highest bidder adds the player to their roster, deducts the winning amount from their budget, and nominates the next player to be drafted. This process continues until all rosters are full.

Variations
Footballguy Maurile Tremblay surveys additional options in his draft order determination guide.

Commissioner Best Practices for Starting a League

Your debut matters. Hit these to earn a standing ovation:

• Write and share the constitution well before your startup draft.
• Dedicate part of the prize pool to league engagement.
• Appoint a deputy commissioner.
• Collect league fees before any seasonal activity.
• Test the league platform before going live.
• Keep a record of key communications and votes.
• Start the league chat early and keep it active; over-communicate early and often.

Conductor's Notes

A dynasty league startup isn't a casual jam session. It's focused preparation for the upcoming performances. As commissioner, you're the organizer, the conductor, the backstage crew, and sometimes even the crisis management team. If you plan with precision, set expectations clearly, and lead with both structure and spirit, your fantasy orchestra will play in harmony for many years to come.

Break out your baton. It's time to whip your merry band into game shape.

Next week, in Part 3, we'll discuss how to get your rosters in tune before every concert season.