No. 01–0001. Argued August 19, 2019 — Decided August 20, 2019

I

Petitioner Justin Dreyer AKA “Sheets” informed the commissioner on August 19 of the potential infraction that occurred Sunday September 2 2018 involving the incorrect drafting of a designated keeper during the 2018 draft; specifically that Mr. Mehta drafted DeAndre Hopkins, AKA “Nuk”, 13th overall (round 2) instead of 12th overall (round 1).

Under normal circumstances, this infraction would have required that the defendant alternatively draft the next highest player according to Article X Section II of the 4th and Forties Constitution. However, due to the nature of the draft and the simultaneous selections Mr. Mehta was afforded, the infraction was not discovered, seen or otherwise noted until 351 days after the incident.

The correction of the incorrect drafting would have created a situation in which no current guidelines or rules are set. 

1. Un-drafting of AJ Green at pick 12
2. Auto-drafting of next highest ADP player

This would have created a conflict as Mr. Mehta had designated “Nuk” as his first round keeper. Hence, only one avenue of resolution could have been done at that time after the repeal of the last and penultimate draft picks.

1. Mr. Mehta would have correctly drafted “Nuk” at pick 12 instead of next highest ADP player.
2. Mr. Mehta would have been forced to auto-draft the next highest ADP player at pick 13.

However, since this did not occur, Mr. Mehta was allowed to draft the player of his choosing instead of the player with which he should have been penalized.

Held: Pursuant to the facts above, Mr. Mehta never received a penalty for his actions.

II

Mr. Mehta contends that his draft pick during the 2019 Draft Order Determination was incumbent upon the commissioner knowing the facts above. Mr. Mehta provided the cell phone screen capture below as evidence.

However, the provided screen capture does not provide any evidence other than confirmation of “Nuk” was incorrectly drafted. There is no indication from the commissioner that “Nuk” could be designated as a keeper for a second year (breaking Article IX Section 3 of the Constitution).

Although the commissioner is responsible for execution and enforcement of the league Constitution, it is ultimately the team owner’s responsibility to follow the provided guidelines within the Constitution. Knowing, in 2018, “Nuk” was designated a first round keeper, it is incumbent upon Mr. Mehta that, according to league rules, “Nuk” could not be assigned as a keeper in 2019.

Held: Any culpability on the commissioner’s behalf is negated.

III

It is the commissioner’s responsibility to break any votes that result in a tie according to Article XII of the Constitution. On August 19 2019, a poll was submitted to the league requesting determination of the arguments set above. The result was a split decision.

Commissioner’s Decision: The 2019 draft order will remain as is.

IV

Though this decision and subsequent arguments have been difficult to assess, the commissioner recommends that an Amendment be made to the Constitution that allows for a triumvirate of commissioners to take the place of a single commissioner so as to alleviate the difficulty in assessing the league Constitution and passing judgment on any grievances.