Rules

Please read through these rules carefully. If you still have any questions please contact the League per mail or simply ask an Official or another GM on ICQ.

Dates & Deadlines
Regular Season
Playoffs
Offseason
Gameplay- TBA
Submitting Games-TBA
Standings
Players- TBA
Rosters
Injuries
Salary Cap and Exceptions
Contracts
Contract Options
Trades
Re-Signing
Waiving
Free-Agents
Draft
Awards
All-Stars
League Leaders
GM Rating
Change in Ownership
Waiting List
League Interference
Rule-Changes

1. Dates & Deadlines

The deadline for submitting games and roster-changes is Sunday 11:59pm EST of a given week, unless stated otherwise on the site.
The deadline for requesting sim-assignments is Friday 6:00pm EST of a given week, unless stated otherwise on the site.
The patch for the next week will be released shortly after the deadline. (Since this a manual task, there might be an occasional delay.)
The Trading Deadline is in Week Fifteen of a given season. The exact date will be announced on the League News every season.
The All-Star Weekend is held during the weekend of Week Ten.
The League reserves the right to take breaks due to holidays. For such a holiday, the league-time will be frozen. No transactions can be performed during a break.

2. Regular Season

The Regular Season follows the NBA-Season and takes twenty weeks.
The aspired period is December to June.
The NLL schedule is based on the matchups from the NBA Schedule of a given season. The order of games and is randomly determined to fit into the NLL format.
All 82 games will be simmed.
If a GM fails to submit a game before the weekly deadline, the game will be simmed in the following week, using that week's patch and the GM will be penalized.

3. Playoffs

The best eight teams from each conference qualify for the playoffs.
Ties are broken according to NBA tie-breaking rules (see Standings).
All Playoff-rounds and the Finals are played in a best of seven series.
Unlike regular season games, playoff games are to be simmed on a specific day of the week that will be announced before the start of each series.

4. Offseason

Draft
Summer Break generally runs from July to late October.
Re-signing / Signing Rookies/ Signing Free-Agents

5. Gameplay- TBA

6. Submitting Games-TBA

7. Standings

Standings are updated immediately after a game is submitted.
TWO-WAY TIES
1. Results of games against each other.
2. Better winning percentage within own division (only if tied teams are in same division).
3. Better winning percentage against teams in own conference.
4. Better winning percentage against playoff opponents in own conference (including teams that finished the regular season tied for a playoff position).
5. Better winning percentage against playoff opponents in opposite conference (including teams that finished the regular season tied for a playoff position).
6. Better point differential between offense and defense.
Three-Team Tiebreaker
1. If applicable, division champions must be determined first.
2. Better winning percentage in all games among the tied teams.
3. Better winning percentage against teams in own division (only if all tied teams are in same division).
4. Better winning percentage against teams in own conference.
5. Better winning percentage against teams eligible for playoffs in own conference (including team that finished the regular season tied for a playoff position).
6. Best point differential between offense and defense.
Note: If a multiple team tie is reduced to a two-team tie at any point using the above criteria, the two-team tie will be resolved in accordance with the existing two-team tie procedure.
Division leaders are guaranteed top 4 seed, but might not have homecourt advantage.
The tie-breakers may not be approprietly used when displaying standings for technical reasons, but will eventually be employed when determining seeds for the Playoffs.

8. Players- TBA

Each player is defined by the attributes listed in NBA2K.
All ratings are between zero and ninty-nine.
In addition each player has a Loyalty Attribute: It influences whether a player will re-sign with his current team once his contract expires. This attribute is subject to adjustment according to the players real-life counter-part. All players start with a C rating or a 75% chance of returning. If the player re-signs a contract with his current team, his loyalty will go up 75% and if leaves via free agency, it will go down 75%. If a player is traded in the NBA, he returns to a C loyalty, no matter his previous rating.
The exact rating listed in 3. is not revealed to GMs. Instead they are grouped into the categories A-F.
During each offseason players will retire, based on real retirements.
Player-ratings are subject to regular change. Some are calculated from NBA Stats (FG, 3P, FT, Dunk, OReb, Dreb, Ast, Stl, Blk, Fat, Prim) before the season starts, after week 5, week 10, week 15 and week 20. The other ratings will be taken from the most recent NLSC patch with each update.

9. Rosters

During the season a team may have no more than fifteen players on the roster without a special permission from the League.
A team may have no more than twelve active players.
During the season teams are required to have at least thirteen players on their roster (either active or on IR).
A team may not place a non-injured player on the injury-list if that would give them less than twelve active players.
If a team does not fulfill the requirements listed in 1. to 4. at the end of a week the GM is fined. (See GM Rating)

10. Injuries

Injuries are effective starting with week one.
Injuries are based on real injuries in the NBA. The NLL injury-list is updated Saturday morning of a given week, unless stated otherwise on the site. The NLL will extend its week concurrent with the final week of the NBA regular season so injuries will reflect the first game of the playoffs.
All players injured (ie on the IR or hurt in their most recent game in the NBA) will not be available for the next week in the NLL.
Injured players and their injuries will be announced on the Injury List.
Injured players will be transferred to the team's IR immediately and cannot be taken off by the team's GM.
Players sent to the D-League in the NBA will be listed as injured in the NLL.
GMs will have until that week's deadline to submit any lineup changes through the GM-Section.
Once a player is healed, it will be noted on the Injury List.
A GM has until the week's deadline to bring a recovered player back into the lineup through the lineup submitter. Otherwise, the player stays on the IR.
A team may apply for an Disabled-Player-Exception (message to NLL Inbox). If granted (this goes in accordance with the NBA), the team receives half the player's salary as a Disabled Player Exception (DPE) or the average NLL salary (whichever is less).
A player waived/without a team during the season in the NBA will be placed on the NLL injury-list until he returns to active play in the NBA.
A team with less than 8 healthy players must petition the league for a replacement. The league will then place the lowest rated FA, (not under bid) on the team. This player will be removed by the league once the team has 8 healthy players again. Not petitioning for such a player will result in a GM-Point penalty. (see 22.)
On the patch all injured players are moved to the Free-Agent pool. (Since there are only three IR slots per team in the game which might not be enough and would mess up the patch.)

11. Salary Cap and Exceptions

The Salary Cap is $ 58,044,000 but is handled as a soft cap with two exceptions listed under 2., 3. and 4.
NLL Bird Rule: If a player has had a running contract for three full NLL seasons, he can be resigned by his team regardless of the team's cap-situation. Bird years are reset if a player is waived or leaves the team via free-agency.
Mid-Level-Exception: Each team may use $ 5,765,000 to sign players each season, regardless of its cap-situation. (Unlike in the NBA, NLL teams originally under the cap also get to use the MLE.
Players signed with the MLE do count against the Salary Cap once they are signed. So use any available cap-space before using the MLE!)
Bi-Annual Exception: Each team may use may $2,080,000 to sign any free agent to a contract, but it cannot be used two years in a row. Like the mid-level exception, the biannual exception can also be split among more than one player.
Luxury Cap: If a team goes over the Luxury cap of $ 70,307,000 during a transaction (trade, signing, re-signing) the team's GM suffers a GM-Point penalty. (also see below.)
Minimum Team Salary: The GM of a team below the minimum team salary suffers a GM point penalty (see below). The minimum team salary is set at 3/4 of the current salary cap.
The GM of a team that stays under the Salary Cap for 10 full NLL weeks is rewarded with a 1 GM-Point Bonus. A team trying to obtain this reward has to report its salary weekly to the NLL Inbox, around the deadline. (also see 22.)
Above Salary-Cap, the Mid-Level-Exception and the Luxury Cap are subject to yearly adjustments following the NBA.

12. Contracts

NLL salaries and contract-lengths are determined by NBA contracts.
A player's salary is adjusted every offseason.
Salaries will always reflect the player's NBA salary.
Unsigned free-agents will start lowering their demanded salaries by 20% each week once the Regular Season has started. These salaries will continue to reduce until they reach the minimum level. Players signed at such a discount will only sign for one year and cannot be traded.
Regular contracts may run from one to six years.
Contracts may include (an) optional year(s) at the end.
Option-years are not included in the number of years listed as left on a contract, but are listed seperately.

13. Contract Options

If a player picks up his player-option in the NBA, his NLL contract is automatically extended.".
If a player declines his player-option in the NBA, the option is removed and he goes through the FA-process in the NLL.
If a player's NBA team picks up a player's team-option, the NLL team has the chance to do the same or let the player go into free-agency.
If a player's NBA team declines their team-option, the option is removed and the player goes through the FA-process.
If a player's NBA team declines their team-option, the option is removed and the player goes through the FA-process.
Options are not considered to be new contracts. (No penalties arise from contracts extended by options if a team is over the luxury cap.)

14. Trades

Only players, draft-picks for the upcoming year, rights on players and GM points can be traded.
Future considerations may be included in a deal, but at the risk of the team receiving them. If a team hires a new GM, he will not be held responsible for such undocumented agreements.
Trades involving multiple-team are allowed.
A team cannot go over the Salary Cap when trading (expect for 5.).
If a team that is over the Salary Cap, is participating in a trade, salaries included in trades may differ by 25% +$100,000 of the lower amount without 4. kicking in.
Rule 5 is adjusted for teams over the Luxury Cap (see Salary Cap and Exceptions). If such a team takes back more salaries than they traded away its GM is fined with GM-point penalty. See below
Draft-picks are considered to have a salary of $ 0.
Like picks, rights are considered to have a salary of $ 0.
A player may only be traded once every three (real-life) weeks.
However a player can be traded within 48 hours upon his arrival with a new team, before being blocked as listed under 9.
In order for a trade to be valid: a) each team must have at least 13 players b) 8 healthy after the deal.
A team may only trade its own first-round draft-pick every other year.

15. Re-Signing

Once NBA Rosters are set, NLL re-signings are determined.
The following factors influence a player's decision: Loyalty, playing time during the previous season and team-record. GM points can optionally be spent to positively influence the decision. One GM point equals +1% bonus.
Players deciding to stay can later be re-signed by their teams.
Those deciding to leave will immediately become free-agents. A player who is sign and trade in the NBA will receive a D loyalty and go through the FA process. If he stays with his team, he can be re-signed but must be traded before the season starts. If he is not traded, he will be inactive and the team will lose -1 GM point per week until he is traded.
A team can try to re-acquire a player who decided not to re-sign through the normal bidding process.

16. Waiving

A player may at any time be waived using the according form in the MyTeam-section.
A waived player's salary will count against his team's salary-cap until either his contract expires or another team picks up the his contract, whichever happens first. If a player is waived in the NBA and then signs a contract with Europe, you can petition to have his salary removed from your payroll and the player removed from the NLL. It is up to the GM paying the player to furnish proof the player has signed a deal in Europe. This rule does not apply to waived players who are looking for a contract with an NBA team.
A team cannot release a player if that would result in the team having less than 13 (thirteen) players total and a team cannot release a player if that would result in the team having less than 12 (twelve) non-injured players.
A player will be on the waiver wire for the first 24 hours after being released before hitting the free agent pool. The team with the worst record to claim the player while he is on the waiver wire will get him.

17. Free-Agents

Free Agents are signed by bidding on them from the MyTeam-section. Each Free-Agents has his individual demanded salary and contract length (depending on his current NBA contract)
Restricted free agents exist in the NLL. If the player signs an offer sheet in the NBA, he will automatically become an F in the NLL. These players will go through the same free agent process as others. If a restricted players opts to become a free agent, he will enter the pool. Any team can bid on this player. Once a bid is processed, the original has 48hrs to claim this player. During this period, the bidding team will have the money allocated to that player locked. If the free agency period ends and a restricted player is still in the pool, his old team will then have the option whether or not to claim him. If a restricted free agency chooses to return to his former team and he is not signed, he automatically becomes a non-restricted FA.
Each player is available for bids from teams on a certain date (as indicated in under Transactions.)
Once a player is up for bids, he will be available for 3 days. If hold the cursor over the player's name, you can see how many teams are bidding on him at that moment but not which teams or how many GM pts are being offered to him. At any time, you can rescind your bid or edit your offer. After the 3 day period expires, the player will decide using the traditional formula which team he will sign with.
The factors 'considered' are team-record, number of players with higher CBS-rating on that team and a small "random" factor. GM points can be spent to give a +1% bonus each. Each player is assigned a player position number. Players will only consider better similar players when choosing a team.
A player who has not received a bid will continue to be available on the next day.
If a team already has 15 players on its roster it has to select a player to release upon a successful bid on a Free-Agent.

18. Draft

During each off-season a two-round rookie draft will be held.
The draft will be held live in the NLL chatroom.
The teams that did not make the playoffs enter a draft-lottery to determine the draft order.
The remaining teams draft in inversed order of the league standings. The order of the second round is a copy of first round (with the exception of ties).
Scouting reports for rookies are available at nba.com and nbadraft.net.
The ratings of rookies will only be revealed after the draft (after the next NLSC patch has been released).
If a rookie does not join his NBA-team in real life he will not join his NLL team either. Instead the NLL team will hold his rights (can be traded as a player with $0 salary) until he actually joins the NBA.

19. Awards

There are four awards given out at the end of every week of the Regular Season. Selections are made by League Officials.
1. Eastern Conference Player of the Week.
2. Western Conference Player of the Week.
3. Eastern Conference Rookie of the Week.
4. Western Conference Rookie of the Week.

There are four awards given out at the end of every month:
1. Eastern Conference Player of the Month.
2. Western Conference Player of the Month.
3. Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month.
4. Western Conference Rookie of the Month.
There are seven awards given out at the of every season voted on by GMs.
1. Most Improved Player of the Year.
2. Sixth Man of the Year.
3. Defensive Player of the Year.
4. Rookie of the Year.
5. Most Valuable Player of the Year.
6. Most Valuable Player of the Finals.
7. GM of the Year
Each team is allowed to nominate one player per award but will not be able to vote for his own player. Non-GM teams will have a player nominated by the Commissioner.
All-League, All-Rookie and All-Defensive teams are selected by League Officials.

20. All-Stars

Each team may nominate three players from its roster for the All-Star-Votes, before the deadline of Week 9 (nine).
From the nominations in 1. each GM can then vote for two centers, four forwards and four guards per conference, before the deadline of week ten.
A GM may not vote for his own players.
The 2 (two) centers with the most votes in each Conference are selected to the All-Star-Teams.
The 4 (four) forwards with the most votes in each Conference are selected to the All-Star-Teams.
The 4 (four) guards with the most votes in each Conference are selected to the All-Star-Teams.
The last 2 (two) slots on each team are filled by the remaining players receiving the most votes, regardless of position.
The All-Star-Game, Rookie Challenge, 3 Point Contest and Slam Dunk Contest are simmed by volunteer GMs.

21. League Leaders

To be considered for league leaders a player must have played in 2/3 (two thirds) of the total number of games played so far.

22. GM Rating

Gm points are used like currency.
The GM rating ranges between 0-99. Once you accrue 99 points, you can no longer gain additional GM points.
Gains
1. Completing an entire season in the NLL: +1
Making Playoffs +1
Winning 1st Round +2
Winning 2nd Round +3
Winning Conference Finals +4
Winning Finals +5
2. Writing up the Power Rankings +3/week. There will be a sign-up in the forum. Each GM will be limited to twice per season.
3. Activity: Regular Postings on the site (Team-News, Recaps): after each week 5, 10, 15 and 20.
+1 Active on forum and posting news
+2 Active on forum, posting news and recaps
+3 Active on Insider, plus any of two of the following: forum, posting, recaps
4. Winning the Division: +1
7. Staying under the Salary Cap for 10 full NLL weeks: +1
8. For every 5 games simmed: +1
9. If you finish the season with 10 of the same players you had at the start of Week One. You will be responsible for turning roster comparisons at the end of the season. +3
10. Games of the Week +4. There will be a sign-up in the forum. In order for a GOTW to count towards GM point credit, the preview must be done by the end of Wednesday that given week.
11. Rookie Rankings +2. There will be a sign-up in the forum. Each GM will be limited to twice per season.
12. If you bring on a new GM and that GM lasts one year, you will get +10 points.
13. Rookie and Player of the Week: +1 for first time, +2 for fifth time and so on. ROTW and POTW are based on PER. POTW winner must play in an average of 25 minutes per game that week and ROTW winner must play in an average 20 minutes per game that week.
14. Rookie and Player of the Month: +2 per player. ROTM and POTM are based on PER. POTM winner must play in an average of 25 minutes per game and ROTM winner must play in an average 20 minutes per game.
15. +5 points for any year end award (DPOTY, ROTY, 6th Man, GM of the Yr, MIP, MVP)
Kick-out Points
1. Not submitting a game on time (without excuse): -3
2. For each player more than 15 on the team's roster at the end of a week (active & IR): -2
3. For each player less than 13 on the team's roster at the end of a week (active & IR): -2
4. For each non-injured player on the IR, if there is an active open slot for him: -2
5. sx
6. Not sending All-Star-nominations: -1
7. Not petitioning for an 8th healthy player: -1
8. Not having a minimum team-salary (3/4 of salary cap) at the end of a week: -1
9. Not setting the number of sim-requests before the Friday deadline: -2
Franchise Fines
1. Trading a player you acquire this season: -3
2. Trading non-minimum FA -2
3. Increasing your team's payroll beyond the Luxury Cap through a transaction (trade, signing, re-signing): -1 for each new $1 million (ie- $1-$1,000,000 = -1, $1,000,001-$2,000,000= -2)
4. You will lose -1 GM point per $1 million over the luxury cap every 5 weeks ($1-$1,000,000= -1, $1,000,001-$2,000,000= -2).
5. If you do not gain a point from participation rewards, you will lose -1. If you do not agree with this fine, you can appeal to the league.
GMs start the game with a rating of 50.
You will not be permitted to complete any transaction that costs GM points if you do not have enough to cover it. This includes signing FA agents, re-trading players and re-signing your own players.
You can trade GM points.
Changes in the GM-rating are determined by the League.

23. Change in Ownership

A GM may leave by resignation or dismissal.
A person from the waiting list replaces an outgoing owner, upon league approval.
When a team hires a new GM, that GM does not get full rights right away. To protect the franchise the new GM is not allowed to perform any roster-changes (trades, waivings, signings) for three NLL weeks.
Losing a kick out GM-Point before acquiring full GM-Status immediately leads to a dismissal from the League or extended probation based on league discretion.
After three weeks the League will decide whether the GM is granted full GM status or fired.
Once a GM accumulates 5 kick-out points or more points during a single season, he is dismissed from the League or placed on probation again at the league's discretion.
If a GM is fired or quits any trades made in the current or previous week will be void.
Dismissed GMs will not be allowed back into the League.

24. Waiting List

In order to join nbaliveleague.com one must have signed up on for the waiting list.
To sign up for the waiting list a valid email-address and an ICQ account are required.

25. League Interference

The League reserves the right to cancel any trades that are to a severe disadvantage of one involved team.
The League reserves the right to remove GMs that behave in an offensive way towards other GMs or League Officials or in another way threaten fair play.
The League reserves the right to remove GMs that violate or try to violate the one team per person rule.

26. Rule-Changes

nbaliveleague.com reserves the right to make adjustments to above rules.