Contraction or League Division

[endgame]

Considering one of three possible league changes and uncertain about the procedure or amount of work required for either. Currently, a 48 team league representing each of the continental states and in two sub leagues of 24. Aim to reduce league to 24, with 12/12. Do I, and how would I, elect one of the following:

1- Simply contract the league
2- Contract the league by two teams a year for the next twelve
3- Create/Add a new league (of TBD level) and move 1/2 there.

4- Open to your suggestions about options, merits, and drawbacks, as well as how-to ideas.

Thanks in advance.

[ry1220]

4. The remaining 24 teams establish themselves as a higher league, with promotion/relegation for the best/worst three.

[endgame]

Originally Posted by ry1220

4. The remaining 24 teams establish themselves as a higher league, with promotion/relegation for the best/worst three.

Meaning that’s the process by which the 24 are determined?

[ry1220]

Originally Posted by endgame

Meaning that’s the process by which the 24 are determined?

I thought you had a set 24 which you wanted to keep...

If not, the realistic expectation would be that the historically best 24 would form their own new league, with a larger TV deal. Then for future seasons, the three or four worst records would move down to the original league, while the best three or four would promote up to the premier league.

[endgame]

It’s a 48 that I’d like to reduce to 24.

[annies-b00bs]

Originally Posted by ry1220

4. The remaining 24 teams establish themselves as a higher league, with promotion/relegation for the best/worst three.

Also a fan of this. Or spin some of the teams off into a indy league, and only take rejected players from the top league.

If you're set on contraction, you could manually track team records on a 3/4 year basis. The 2 worst teams at the end of each 4 year period are cut. If you're really dedicated & patient, you could edit each team's mentality, and set every team to "Win Now!"

[endgame]

Thanks for the comments so far, gentlemen. I'll confess I'm a little uncertain about the promo/reg setup, largely because of my unfamiliarity. But I suppose that's easily remedied with a bit of research.

Just not sure. Wish I knew more about modifying league structures and what options are actually available to me. I'm sure they're plentiful with the right skills. The league's about 12 years in, and may be the last league I ever have, so I'd like to preserve its core elements. Maybe setting up that 'other' league is possible. I don't imagine it's as easy as simply moving the teams. I'd have to deal with the players somehow.

At any rate, thanks for the input, now and later. I appreciate the insights and help.

[cavebutter]

I think the first decision you have to make is what to do about the players. Having 24 teams worth of major leaguers suddenly become free agents will have a huge effect on the quality of play in your league to say nothing of the effect on league finances. This would be very disruptive.

Unless you plan to delete them, my recommendation would be to shunt those teams off into another league. You can decide what kind of relationship will exist between the old and the new - whether free agents can enter or leave, whether they can trade, etc.

Without deleting the players, though, contracting 24 teams - even if spread out over a dozen years - will be very disruptive. Just my thoughts.

[endgame]

Thanks, c'butter. Is there a way to move the teams and the players, do you know?

[endgame]

Going to take more than a few clicks and quite a lot of work, but what I think I want to accomplish this offseason is to move half the major league teams into a new AAAA league, then reassign affiliations for all of their minor leagues to the remaining major league teams.

Not sure how I’ll treat the players on those teams or if they move with them at all. I’ll have to affiliate the new AAAA teams with the remaining too, and beforehand find a way to deal with their major league contracts or find a way to negate or mitigate them right after the move. On the other hand, leaving their contracts in place will cause a major and chaotic roster reorganization with many good players headed for waivers and may open up even more unexpected possibilities.

Only May, so I have the rest of the season to think this through and it will be a one time last time maneuver that sends the Covenant in a brand new direction.

If any of you have toyed with major reconstruction I’m open to your thoughts. Also, though I’m slow with it, considered incorporating Excel to perhaps take an export and change contract or league info in a more streamlined and expedient fashion. Don’t know. Split the world in half eg, and make it more resemble your mind, eh? Nuts. But I’m going to find a way to make it happen. Thanks!