League Rules

Last updated: August 11, 2025

What is a Dynasty League?

A dynasty style fantasy football league is a league where you retain most or all of your players from year to year. This creates an environment which is very different from that of a redraft league. By enabling team owners to keep players and build a team over time, there is a much stronger sense of team ownership, and success is achieved with a greater sense of satisfaction.

Drafts

Slow draft

Draft Date: two weeks after the conclusion of the NFL Draft. M4D utilizes a “slow draft” format, allowing each team 4 hours per pick. Draft order is determined as follows:

  • Playoff Teams: reverse order of the year’s playoff standings, with exceptions:
    • Winner of the 5th place game receives the 1.07 pick.
    • Winner of the 3rd place game receives the 1.09 pick.
  • Non-Playoff Teams: ordered inversely based on each team’s MaxPointsFor.

Pick timer: 4 hours per selection. Draft pauses between 10:00 PM and 10:00 AM ET.

Consolation Bracket Bonus: Starting in 2023, the consolation bracket winner is awarded the 2.13 pick in the subsequent rookie draft (awarded annually).

Buy In

Buy-in is due two weeks before the start of the year’s respective draft. The annual fee is $100.

  • If a team owner trades a pick outside their current year draft, they incur a $50 payment toward that future year’s buy-in.
  • Once half the buy-in is paid, the team may trade all owned picks from that same year.
  • This rule applies independently to each future year.

Payout

  • $1,000 — 1st Place
  • $100 — Regular Season Winner
  • $100 — 2nd Place

Trading

  • All trades execute immediately; the Commissioner will not “push” trades.
  • No review window. Concerns about league health or intentional stacking should be raised to the league (use the Feedback Form).

Waivers — In Season

$1,000 FAAB

Execution: 12:00 AM ET

  • “After game” waivers clear Tuesday @ 3:00 AM ET.
  • Players are on waivers for 1 day after being dropped.
  • FAAB does not roll over; in-season FAAB assigned at conclusion of the Rookie Draft.

Weekly schedule

  • Mon — Free Agency
  • Tue — Locked (No Moves)
  • Wed — Waivers
  • Thu — Free Agency
  • Fri — Waivers
  • Sat — Waivers
  • Sun — Free Agency

Waivers — Offseason

$100 FAAB

Execution: 12:00 AM ET

  • Waivers “locked” every day except Wednesday and Sunday.
  • FAAB does not roll over; offseason FAAB assigned at conclusion of Championship week games.

Weekly schedule

  • Mon — Locked
  • Tue — Locked
  • Wed — Waivers @ 12:00 AM ET
  • Thu — Locked
  • Fri — Locked
  • Sat — Locked
  • Sun — Waivers @ 12:00 AM ET

Playoffs

  • No divisions. Top 6 teams make playoffs.
  • One-week matchups start Week 15.
  • Semi-final: Week 16. Final: Week 17.
  • Seeds 1 & 2 receive a BYE in the first week.

League Punishment

Loser must perform a Beer Mile. Rules can be found here.

Other General Information

  • At year end, rosters lock (no player adds; trading allowed) until all buy-ins are received. Drop-dead date is Draft Day. If unpaid, Commissioner may proceed as planned or orphan the team.
  • No bartering/trading with assets outside of the Dynasty League.

Taxi Squad

The Taxi Squad is a practice squad for rookies and second-year players. Before the season, owners must assign these players to Taxi. Once the season begins, Taxi “locks.” Players remain there for the season unless promoted.

  • To promote: you must have an open roster spot or cut someone.
  • Once promoted, a player is ineligible for Taxi for the rest of the year.