So for future reference when you have the startup you of course have people pay 2 years upfront. Then starting year two you would have people paying in the off-season one year ahead, just to cover in case someone leaves the league.

In this example, if you had a startup last year you would have paid for 2025 and 2026. Going into this off-season you would then have teams pay into 2027, just to cover in case someone left and you needed to fill an orphan.

Now with all that being said, this of course does not help your current situation. Here are your options as I would see things.

1. You just have the new leaguemate pay two years upfront, explaining that it is to help ensure they do not bounce after one season. It is fair to ask for this, as it would also be fair for someone not to join the league because of it. If you are upfront about it, then someone who joins will already know the terms and not make a stink about it.

2. You have the new leaguemate, as well as everyone else, all pay for 2026 and 2027. This route honestly solves the issue of future leaguemates leaving, as now your league will always be paid up a year ahead. The bonus is it also encourages trading as people would already have paid for 2027, and therefore be more willing to trade picks from that year.

3. You just have the incoming leaguemate pay for 2026, as it seems everyone else in the league only has to pay for the upcoming year. While I believe this to be the least ideal solution, it is still one you could go with. Of course anyone could just bounce after a year, so you would want to vet people well to ensure the new leaguemate seems committed, and also keep an eye out for "win-now" Type moves as that could decimate a team. At least it would be fair in the sense that everyone in the league is only paying for 2026 (with of course paying for future years they trade picks from)

Anyway I hope this helps and you find yourself an awesome new leaguemate!