The Shark Leagues are here!! UPDATED!!!!!! Pat Smith, Fantasy Football Staff Writer Jul 29, 2006 | More

Ok, all leagues that previously existed are full, and emails have been sent to all participants, new and old!  So follow the links to your leagues and start getting ready to draft on Monday, August 14th!

Response has been strong and steady, and we currently have over 100 applications without leagues to put them in - so we are expanding!

I will be setting up new leagues through the weekend, and we'll set the drafts to start on short notice as the leagues are filled, so BE PREPARED TO START IF YOU APPLIED.  And if you want to play, keep applying as indicated below.  Good luck!

We'll be announcing soon the changes anticipated as we grow and transition to the 2007 format - it is gonna be great fun!

***The leagues have been set up, the emails will be sent today to past participants, and we'll fill openings (if we have any, but man, who'd want to pass on this?) on a first-come, first-serve basis. Everyone who was in a league last year will of course have priority, but we need to know you will be back, and your checking into your assigned league will do that for us. So go do it right now! If you don't get a confirmation email, and you participated last year, drop me a note right now at commish@fantasysharks.com and we'll straighten things out. If you were in multiple leagues last year you can of course keep your teams, and if you'd like to designate someone to get your second team contact me and we'll accomodate if we can. But if you have a team already, lets try to maximize participation and refrain from putting in as a replacement team too, okay?

Some things to note:

1. The leagues this year are FREE. A number of things contributed to this decision, but primarily it is the generousity of Mr. Holm, who continues to break with industry trends by not only running the best Fantasy Football site anywhere, but continuing to do it FREE. We have big plans for these leagues, and we think participation is going to really climb in the future as we promote them, and we need YOUR help to get that done! So this year, if you agree to help, we'lll let you play FREE! Every level, all participants are playing FREE. For 2006 the structure will remain the same as 2005, there will be no expansion (because FREE to you does not mean FREE to us!), and no converting to a pyramid format as opposed to the current ladder (more on that later).

2. The 2006 rules have been updated, link is on the frontpage, go check it out! But don't let the pyramid tier system fool you, that is going into effect in 2007. We just felt the need to explain what we are invisioning with the leagues now. Lets face it, if these leagues grow like we know they will, eventually we'll have a "guppy" level of leagues that is 25 rungs down the ladder, and even if you win every year, it'll take you 25 years to get to play against an older, wiser version of me! Boo. So for 2007 we are switching to a pyramid, with the Great While Shark on top at number one, followed by TWO Whale Leagues, FOUR HammerHead Leagues, and so on right down the line. In this way we can address the demand without making the task of getting to the top so daunting. But that means, eventually, we'll need 128 leagues just to fill the bottom of the pyramid! We can do it! But we need your help, and as a reward for that assistance everyone plays FREE this year. Word of mouth is a powerful thing, so tell your friends what great fun you are having! Join the discussions in the forums. AND, this year especially, the draft analysis is crucial (and mandatory), it is that content that makes these leagues valuable to the guys who aren't playing in them! So help us out with that. Information on how that gets done will be provided as needed to the participants.

3. Draft dates are soon! The Great White Shark and Whale Leagues will start August 7th, and the rest on August 14th, and will take a week to 10 days to finish up. So guys, if you want back in, check in to your league TODAY. And send a confirmation email to commish@fantasysharks.com too. Anyone who has not checked in by Friday August 4th 5:00 EST will be replaced.

4. Not have a team and want one? Send an email to commish@fantasysharks.com with your contact info: name, FantasySharks.com membership ID, and your email, and we'll put you on the list to fill open slots. Lots of guys have contacted me, and have posted requests on the website, sent me PMs ect....NONE of that will count, to give everyone the same chance, the times the NEW emails requesting to be in are received will control, starting NOW. So good luck! Spots will be limited, as I expect most will be back, but perhaps, no promises, but perhaps, if demand is high enough, we can prevail upon the generosity of Mr. Holm to open up a few more.

5. Everyone, new and old, will be expected to participate at a high level. Your continued participation into future years will count on it. And with the restructuring expected in 2007, your performance this year is even more important, as while overall everyone will be closer to the top, less will be at the VERY top. So win! And participate as required!

6. Above all else, have fun. May all your first rounders stay healthy! And remember, as stated in the rules, the site controls the leagues, and has final authority on all decisions and controversies.