What makes a league "elite"? Special rules?

Good owners.

You get them by screening.   Rules to keep them for going darkside helps weed out some before they get in and some afterwards.

A)  Short rollover times and their Siamese twin, high retention rates
B)  Good owners, as defined by:
     1)  Attentiveness.
     2)  Understanding that their actions contribute directly to retention rates and rollover times, and considering those issues when making and evaluating transactions.
     3)  Other factors that you as commissioner get to decide.  For me it's gentlemanly behavior-- not that I won't play in a world where guys act assholish, but in the world I commish I try to screen that out as much as possible.  For you it could be something else.

You get good owners by screening, but also by active recruitment and marketing-- marketing a world is an underrated commissioner function that I'm trying to learn.

In addition to the above:

Having a commissioner who is attentive and responsive to problems.  One who can be firm but fair.  Having a good rapport with CS, and having good communication skills to deal with the folks at CS when necessary also helps.

I think you got three good answers from active commissioners which brings to mind something probably assumed in the replies but unstated: if you are looking for a good world to join, you need to look for a good commissioner.

Also, this is usually the byproduct of a healthy world and therefore useful when window shopping for a team...no dynasty teams that win 100+ games every season, and no bottom dwellers that lose 90 or 100+ games every year. That sort of competitive imbalance is almost always unhealthy. Frankly, the more teams that are actively attempting to win as many games as possible (and I am not talking just about tanking, but also coasting, or maintaining or "waiting for the prospects to develop" or whatever else you might want to call it), the healthier a world will be, from the free agent market to the IFA market to the waiver wire and the Rule 5 draft, everything. If you find a world where most division winners are coming in around 88-95 wins, and many of the others are bunched around a 375-480 win percentage, then the world is likely filled with committed owners who will help maintain the world's long-term health. This is not a universal, but I think it is a handy shorthand if you are looking in on worlds you might want to join.

What about minimum win rules?

They discourage tanking.  A good thing to have.

I agree. I was surprised by the how vehemently a few of the owners in the league I just started commishing in argued against it.

MikeT's 55-125-195-280 is a good rule in my opinion.  I believe like he does, anyone that is trying to can win 55 games in one season and should be able to win an average of 70 over 4.

The other league I am in has a two season 120 win rule with the caveat that if you fail to meet that, you go up for vote if you fail.  Granted it is a tad flimsier, but seeing as we have a solid core of dedicated owners, it's held up so far.  

Long story short, MWR can be implemented in many ways and ultimately (in my opinion) lead to a better all around league with less turnover.

What makes it great for me?  I get as much QUALITY HBD in one year as possible.  With rollover times of less than a couple days, it makes both of the worlds I am in "elite" in my opinion.

Posted by reino4 on 1/27/2012 4:57:00 PM (view original):
I agree. I was surprised by the how vehemently a few of the owners in the league I just started commishing in argued against it.

Not surprising.  Some of them may want to reserve the right to tank.  Some might feel threatened by it, fear losing their teams.  And some may not be tankers or fear falling short, but they just don't like having rules imposed on them.  Think: Libertarians.

Posted by reino4 on 1/27/2012 4:57:00 PM (view original):
I agree. I was surprised by the how vehemently a few of the owners in the league I just started commishing in argued against it.

Ditto

Nice read.

Just checked it out.  Some of them just don't get it.  But that's why there are 150+ worlds.  Some folks are fine being in a just-okay world.

Different strokes, different folks.  They don't understand that everyone will have to reach the minimums or collecting those top picks won't matter.   Well, it helps the next guy but whatever.  If you're good with a race to the bottom, you're good with a race to the bottom.

Posted by dedelman on 1/27/2012 2:38:00 PM (view original):
A)  Short rollover times and their Siamese twin, high retention rates
B)  Good owners, as defined by:
     1)  Attentiveness.
     2)  Understanding that their actions contribute directly to retention rates and rollover times, and considering those issues when making and evaluating transactions.
     3)  Other factors that you as commissioner get to decide.  For me it's gentlemanly behavior-- not that I won't play in a world where guys act assholish, but in the world I commish I try to screen that out as much as possible.  For you it could be something else.

You get good owners by screening, but also by active recruitment and marketing-- marketing a world is an underrated commissioner function that I'm trying to learn.

See, totally agree except I'm reverse 3. I like a league full of them, but you have to be willing to be the punching bag as much and being the one with the gloves on.

Some can't.