Is it collusive or otherwise unfair for opposing fantasy football owners to agree to not start tight ends?

Question

I am in a league in which two owners are playing this week who are both badly affected by bye weeks. Each team has good tight ends who are both on byes. Would it be collusion or otherwise unfair play for both teams to publicly agree to not start tight ends this week in their matchup?

The agreement would be public and would equally affect both teams. These indicate that it might not be collusive per se since the agreement is not secret nor does it unfairly benefit one team at the expense of the other. Also, both teams would suffer from lack of total points that week, which would hurt them in the overall standings via the tiebreaking system.

On the other hand, neither team would have to drop a player they might want to retain to aquire a marginal tight end who they'd inevitably drop the following week, and this might be a mutually unfair advantage gained by the agreement.

Is this agreement fair? Collusive?

I'm inclined to think it's not collusive but may be unfair.

Answer 1

As a commissioner of several leagues, I don't see a problem with this action. It's affecting both teams equally, without having an impact on the rest of the league.

I understand not wanting to pick up a TE for one week if it means dropping a more valuable player. Since they're both in the same situation, both of them can get away with not taking that step. It might be seen as unfair only in that neither team is placing on waivers a player who might help another team, but I don't think it's harmful collusion. There's nothing in the rules that says you have to field a full team each week, and if both teams in this situation would be equally impacted by the empty slot, then why bother?

Answer 2

I agree I think they are lucky to play each other the same week and they could make that decision to where is wouldnt hurt them, but I am glad that they did make it public and not just being sneaky, so big ups for that
But that would have to vary from league to league, thats why its good to set a clear guidelines of rules before the season especially if there is money on the line