The ultimate structural punishment: the loser drops to the league's second division, or out of the league entirely, and must earn their way back. Promotion/relegation turns every bad season into an existential crisis, exactly like European soccer intended. Requires a feeder league, which the most organized friend groups actually maintain.
Heavy sentence
Severity 4 punishments are the ones people talk about for years, which is exactly why they need full league buy-in before week one. Put it in the constitution, set the deadline, and agree on proof requirements up front.
The long haul: this is not a one-afternoon sentence. With a time commitment of full season, the punishment keeps paying out (for everyone else) long after the season ends. Long sentences need a written end date and a league-appointed enforcer who checks compliance.
Seen in the wild: thegameday.com · fantasyfootballunlimited.com · sportskeeda.com