Sixteen team league facing final weeks

Owners approve expanded league proposal

STOW (AP) - It's official. The team that captures this year's Fantasy Bowl title will be the last to do so in a 16 team league.

By a vote of 16-0, Erie League owners approved the Expanded League Proposal, ensuring that the 1999 season will open with two 12 team conferences. Conference A, run by commissioner Keith Kuratko, will include: the Assassins, Atomic Punks, Bonecrushers, Donikers-DTL, Hostile Omish, King Salmons, Screaming Eagles, Shadow Bandits, and four other teams that will apply through members of the conference.

Conference B, run by current EFFL commissioner Kirk Pavelich, will consist of: Captain Tripps, Cosmic Monsters, Gargoyles, Kardiac Kids, LTP, Midnight Vigilantes, Psychedelic B's, Wolverines, and four other teams that will apply through members of the conference.

Conference A will feature three former Fantasy Bowl champions (Mike Bell, Keith Kuratko, and Jim Damicone) while Conference B will sport four former title holders (Storm Thomas, Don Jones, Kirk Pavelich, and Bryan Vince).

As of now, Conference A will use an auction format while Conference B will employ a draft to allot players. In addition, each league will have the entire list of NFL players to choose from.

The final document, with any proposed changes, will be approved by owners who attend the Saturday Jan. 9 Rules and Awards dinner at Max Doogan's.

Among the items that still need to be discussed: carryover players, playoff structure, prize money, tie-breaker procedures, Plan B free agency, transaction policies, reserve squads, injured reserve signings, and expansion franchise applications.

Owners who have proposals that they would like to be considered should forward them to either Keith Kuratko or Kirk Pavelich.

The following is a breakdown of the all-time won-lost records for the teams and owners that make up each conference.