Let’s be honest, every fantasy football league has that commissioner. You know, the one who thinks they’re the Bill Belichick of fantasy but is really more like a combination of Jerry Jones and a used car salesman. They run the league with an iron fist, changing rules on a whim, making absurd trade vetoes, and generally acting like a petty dictator who’s taken their small slice of power way too seriously. Here’s a breakdown of why your commissioner is trash—and a few ways you can fight back before they ruin your season (again).

1. The Rule Changer

Ever notice how your commissioner suddenly remembers a “league rule” whenever things aren’t going their way? Or even worse, they conveniently tweak the scoring system mid-season, always for “the good of the league,” but somehow, it only benefits them. Maybe they think they’re clever, but they’re really just the fantasy football equivalent of a kid changing the rules of tag so they can’t lose. Solution? Demand a league vote or, better yet, bring up every rule change in the most annoying way possible until they snap.

2. The Trade Dictator

Every commissioner says they’ll be “fair and impartial.” But once the season starts, suddenly your legit trade offers get vetoed for “competitive balance,” while they greenlight deals that make zero sense. Their team ends up loaded, while you’re stuck fielding a roster full of waiver wire rejects. Don’t let this happen. Start a rebellion. Propose outrageous trades and force them to explain themselves in the most uncomfortable way possible. Bonus points for public shaming.

3. The Ghost Commissioner

Sometimes, you don’t get the power-mad dictator—you get the ghost. You know, the commissioner who doesn’t respond to messages, forgets to schedule the draft until the last minute, and doesn’t update the league rules. Oh, and good luck getting them to veto an actually unfair trade. When this happens, you’ve got one option: overthrow them. Stage a coup with the rest of the league and take over the reins. You might not be able to remove them from the title, but you can sure as hell make their life miserable.

4. The “I Won’t Pay Out” Commissioner

Ah yes, the ultimate betrayal. You play 17 weeks, somehow win the league, and then… crickets. That sweet, sweet cash prize that was supposed to be yours? Nowhere to be found. Your commissioner has suddenly developed amnesia or “misplaced” the funds. Time to get real: this is theft. Call them out publicly, relentlessly, and embarrass them into coughing up the prize. Maybe even threaten to take it to small claims court for added drama.

5. The “I Know What’s Best” Commissioner

This one is the worst of all. They think they know everything. They know the best draft strategy, the best waiver wire pickups, and of course, how to run the league better than anyone. Except, they always come in dead last. No matter how hard they try, they can’t seem to figure it out. The real problem? They ruin everyone else’s fun while trying to prove they’re the smartest in the room. The fix? Relentless mockery. Make a fantasy league dedicated to their failures. Call it the “Commissioner’s Hall of Shame.”

What You Can Do

If you’re stuck with a bad commissioner, don’t give up. You have options. First, rally the league. Nothing weakens a commissioner’s iron grip like a group rebellion. Second, set strict rules for how the league is run—rules even they have to follow. And lastly, if all else fails, just wait until they implode (they always do) and then make your move to replace them.

In the end, remember this: No commissioner is perfect, but some are just the worst.