While simulation games can be an extremely competitive endeavor, it is important to remember that enjoyment of the game is predicated on a certain level of sportsmanship displayed by the participants. Occasionally, some team owners intentionally or unknowingly cross the lines. In addition, participants in WhatIfSports games acknowledge the fact that it is technically not feasible to ensure that each username is controlled by a unique person.
Consequences
At the sole discretion of WhatifSports, any of the below violations may result in sanctions ranging from a warning to an immediate closure of a user's account.
Cheating
All owners must play by the rules and requirements set forth by each game on our site. If an owner discovers a loophole, a way to cheat, or any other method of giving himself an unfair advantage, WhatIfSports reserves the right to take the necessary steps to correct the issue at any time without prior notification. Refunds or roster changes will not be given to any owner in this situation.
Offensive posts
Any post of a derogatory nature is strictly prohibited. This covers any part of the site where custom content may be used -- league forums, world chats, trade chats, trade messages, team names, forums, etc. This includes personal attacks and sexist or racist remarks. There will be a zero tolerance level - if someone in your league or world is violating this policy, please submit a customer support ticket or contact us at
[email protected]
Owner interaction
Owners should always be polite and gracious when dealing with one another. Threats and obscenities are not only against the Rules, they are illegal in many jurisdictions. Owners that are found to have made threatening comments to another owner will be warned and/or kicked out of the game completely. This extends to any part of the site allowing custom content.
Impeding other owners
Certain transactions made solely to impede other owners are not allowed. For example, protesting a trade merely to help someone else is strictly prohibited.
Hoops Dynasty & Gridiron Dynasty
More than one team in the same world
One person (regardless of account used) cannot control more than one team in the same world within the same conference or within 1,000 miles or less of one another. Violation of this rule will lead to a forced relocation or removal from one of the teams.
If an owner finds himself in this situation due to accident, he should submit a support ticket and request to have himself transferred to a different school or removed from the world.
Collusive transactions
Collusion includes any act that supports bad, deceitful or illegal behavior agreed upon by two or more users. Here are a few examples:
Discussing the pursuit of a recruit with another coach, including who is pursuing him and money that might have been spent.
Sharing Future Stars Scouting (FSS) information between multiple teams
Scheduling a non-conference game against an alias team (i.e. team owned by same owner in a different conference and more than 1,000 miles away). Exhibition games are permitted in this situation, however.
Any clear throwing of a game (normally indicated by massive lineup changes or settings changes)
Potential punishments
Each infraction is reviewed by customer service with a goal of consistent punishment. Some infractions are more egregious than others and users with a history of violating the guidelines receive stiffer punishment. The below is a list of potential punishments for any of the above infractions:
Warning via sitemail (or conference chat if directed at the conference in general)
Losing recruiting money
Coach reputation hit
Removal of players/recruits (including releasing a signed recruit from a team)
School prestige hit
Removal of coach from team
Banning of user from site