PFB was envisioned for two reasons. One was of course to create a new and fun way to enjoy the PEBA. The other was as a vehicle for me to disburse myself of the Borealis, something I've been planning for awhile now. It's beginning to look like the second goal isn't going to be achievable through this game. That puts the emphasis squarely on Goal #1: Fun. And rushing into something isn't a ton of fun.
At the start of the offseason I received and offer from a very generous owner to help construct a website for the PFB game. This website is going to be very nifty indeed. It will automate a number of the tasks that we're trying to accomplish manually here, making the game a lot less "clunky". Unfortunately there hasn't been time to complete that website in advance of the start of the regular season. That's no one's fault. Real life takes precedence over a silly game - even more so, a silly game based off a silly game.
With the website not ready to go, I made the choice to push forward with the forum-based version of the game that's been presented to you. Obviously it's generated a lot of confusion, and in general I don't think I've provided enough time for owners to prepare. That's detrimental to the fun. We've already established that the Grand Prize isn't really desirable; take away the fun and you've got nothing.
With that in mind, I believe the best option is to delay the rollout of PFB until the 2011 season. This will allow ample time to finish the construction of the website and prep owners so that no one feels rushed. Rather than a half-baked implementation, I can present you with something fully fleshed-out, something that will add to the PEBA experience instead of being an extra chore you have to hurry to complete.
None of this changes my plans regarding the Borealis. I will be stepping down as owner after this season. It does raise the question, though: who takes my place? I very much wanted to avoid a situation where I had to pick my successor. The last thing you want is to be accused of favoritism.
With that in mind, I'm strongly leaning towards holding "auditions" for the new Borealis owner from outside the PEBA/LRS owner pool. It'll give me a chance to thoroughly vet the new owner and make sure he/she is someone we really want taking over one of our league's more successful franchises.
I hope this solution works for you all, and I'm sorry about the aborted rollout of PFB. The idea is certainly not being ditched. It'll be back next season with a much more professional implementation, and you'll have much more time to prepare yourselves for the game. If you were interested in playing this time around, hold that thought. If you stayed away because it seemed to rushed or unwieldy, give it a second chance in 2011. You'll like what's in store, I promise.
Postponed!? 
Why, just for that, I 
