Winners and losers in fantasy football start long before your draft day. Because the 2026 sports offseason delivered some of the wildest storylines in recent memory — from Michigan’s split personality season to Adam Vinatieri heading to Canton — smart fantasy managers are already paying attention. Here’s the full breakdown, with fantasy football implications built in.
Back to School: Michigan’s Wild Ride
Do my Gen-Xers remember Back to School? It’s one of Rodney Dangerfield’s greatest comedies — and a low-key business movie. Rodney plays Thornton Mellon, a self-made millionaire who enrolls in college to help his son. At one point he tells him: “Stay in school. Study harder. You can be whatever you want to be. “You can be whatever you want to be. And that goes for fantasy football too — You want to be a loser, be a loser. You want to be a winner, be a winner.”
Michigan Basketball: Winner
Michigan basketball coach Dusty May won a national championship before bolting for the Dallas Mavericks. All five starters came from the transfer portal. The NIL collective backed up a Brinks truck and said, “Let’s go shopping.” Furthermore, Michigan went 37-3 and routed UConn 69-63 in the title game — their first championship since 1989. Then May immediately left for the NBA. As Thornton Mellon would say: you want to be a winner, be a winner.
Michigan Football: Loser
Over on the football side of campus, things went differently. Michigan fired head coach Sherrone Moore after an investigation uncovered an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Criminal charges followed. Moore lost the remaining years of his contract — roughly $12 million. Just a couple of years earlier, Michigan sat on top of the college football world. Jim Harbaugh faced his own controversies before the NCAA heat got too intense. He packed his bags and headed to the NFL. Today he coaches the Chargers. Meanwhile, Michigan writes checks to lawyers.
The moral of the story? Be a winner. Be the commissioner who buys a Commish Kit draft board and a sticker pack. Don’t be the guy buying folded cardboard off Amazon assembled in somebody’s mom’s basement between Call of Duty matches. As Thornton Mellon would say: you want to be a winner, be a winner.
Fantasy football implications: Michigan’s transfer portal roster means college skill players move faster than ever. Because dynasty managers need to track where portal players landed and how new schemes affect production, doing homework before your draft matters more than ever in 2026.
Mr. Clutch
Adam Vinatieri heads to the Pro Football Hall of Fame this August. He’ll also enter the Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor in October. The NFL’s all-time leading scorer — 2,673 points and 599 career field goals — delivered two of the most clutch kicks in Super Bowl history. Nobody delivered when it mattered more.
Super Bowl XXXVI (2002): Vinatieri hit a 48-yard field goal as time expired. Patriots 20, Rams 17.
Super Bowl XXXVIII (2004): Vinatieri drilled a 41-yarder with four seconds left. Patriots 32, Panthers 29.
Fantasy football implications: With the Hall of Fame Game on August 6 and preseason starting August 13, winners and losers fantasy football managers need to act now. Get your board ready before your league mates do. Furthermore, kickers matter more than fantasy managers admit — in scoring leagues, a clutch kicker swings playoff matchups.
The Juice Is Not Loose
The Bills Mafia isn’t down with OJ. Buffalo officially announced that O.J. Simpson won’t appear anywhere inside or outside the new $2.1 billion Highmark Stadium. The venue features a year-round outdoor plaza called “The Family Circle.” It celebrates Bills legends, Wall of Fame members, and franchise history. Simpson won’t be there. The Bills made that clear.
This decision carries weight. Simpson was the very first player inducted into Buffalo’s Wall of Fame back in 1980. He remains one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. But the Bills decided his legacy doesn’t fit the family-friendly vision of the new stadium. As a result, when Highmark Stadium opens September 17 against the Detroit Lions, OJ won’t appear anywhere on the premises. I guess when your stadium is called The Family Circle, inviting OJ wasn’t exactly the best marketing strategy.
Fantasy football implications: Highmark Stadium opens September 17 against Detroit — a prime Week 2 fantasy matchup. Josh Allen in a brand new home stadium, motivated to put on a show, is a legitimate stack target. Furthermore, the Bills run one of the most fantasy-relevant offenses in football. Target Allen early and build around him.
BDUBS FOR THE WIN
A judge tossed out a lawsuit over Buffalo Wild Wings’ boneless wings. Chicago man Aimen Halim sued because he discovered the wings aren’t actually deboned chicken wings — they’re chicken breast meat. Apparently this shocked him. U.S. District Judge John Tharp dismissed the case and wrote the complaint had “no meat on its bones.” The judge also noted no reasonable diner thinks chicken fingers come from fingers. BWW celebrated on social media. “They’re called boneless wings and will forever be called boneless wings.” Personally, I’m more of a Hooters guy myself. BDUBS FOR THE WIN.
Fantasy football implications: None. But if you’re hosting a draft party, boneless wings are legally still wings and your guests won’t know the difference.
Your Draft Board Deserves Better Than a Whiteboard
As a result of all these winners and losers, one thing is clear — fantasy football draft season is here and you need to be organized. Commish Kit has been making professional-grade fantasy football draft boards since 2002. Whether you need a wall-hanging paper board, a free-standing corrugated board, or the Digital Draft Board Big Screen Edition, we have you covered. Find the right board for your league size →
How long has Commish Kit been making fantasy football draft boards?
Since 2002 — Commish Kit started in Daly City, California, and moved to Austin, Texas in 2012, making 2026 its 24th season in business. As a result, the brand has become the go-to draft board for fantasy leagues across the country, as featured on Thrillist.
FAQ
Did Michigan win the national championship in basketball?
Yes — Michigan beat UConn 69-63 on April 6 in Indianapolis to claim their first national championship since 1989. Coach Dusty May built the roster through the transfer portal before leaving for the Dallas Mavericks.
Why was Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore fired?
Moore was fired after an investigation uncovered an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Criminal charges followed and he lost the remaining years of his contract, worth approximately $12 million.
Is Adam Vinatieri going to the Hall of Fame?
Yes — Vinatieri enters the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026. He hit two Super Bowl-winning field goals: a 48-yarder as time expired in Super Bowl XXXVI and a 41-yarder with four seconds left in Super Bowl XXXVIII.
Why isn’t OJ Simpson in the Buffalo Bills’ new stadium?
The Bills confirmed Simpson won’t appear anywhere inside or outside Highmark Stadium, which opens September 17, 2026. The venue features “The Family Circle” outdoor plaza — and the organization decided Simpson’s legacy doesn’t fit that vision.
Did Buffalo Wild Wings win the boneless wings lawsuit?
Yes — Judge John Tharp dismissed the lawsuit on February 17, 2026, ruling that “boneless wings” describes a style of preparation rather than a literal anatomy claim. The judge wrote the complaint had “no meat on its bones.”
How long has Commish Kit been making fantasy football draft boards?
Since 2002 — Commish Kit started in Daly City, California, and moved to Austin, Texas in 2012, making 2026 its 24th season in business.
