Just to preface for a sec - I in no way shape or form do I believe this is possible, I think if hell actually froze over this still wouldn't stand a chance. I've even argued with soccer fan friends of mine who desperately wish MLS would adopt pro/rel that it ain't gon' happen, not in the US sports culture. Billionaires don't spend hundreds of millions, or more, to invest in a money making machine at the risk that it could be reduced to a dollar store. So ya, the point of this thread isn't could it happen, it's more about if you could wave a magic wand..
That said, if you could would you? Would you adopt promotion/relegation in the NFL?
For those unfamiliar pro/rel is the common system used in pro soccer leagues all over the world (barring just a few). Within the concept at the end of each season the top few teams in the standing are 'promoted' to the division above them while the bottom few teams in the standings are 'relegated' to the division below them. The very top division - the 'major' league for them - has their top few invited to a combination tournament that hosts the top few performers from all over their continent. Obviously we wouldn't have anything like that as nothing could even remotely compete with the NFL. I think being able to actually legitimately contend for a SB should suffice.
The driving force behind the concept is to promote a compete at all costs mentality for all teams and to hold lazy, ineffectual teams accountable. Now where have we seen a team that could be described like the latter? And that's why I bring this up here. Since we all know we can't just oust the owner(s), those responsible for the never ending doldrums of our own NFL franchise, what if there was an outside mechanism that was a never ending catalyst for their own drive to succeed, and to do so beyond just the 'bottom line'?
So as to stop being so long-winded, but ya.. as a mere thought experiment, with the two choices being would you like to see the same ol' song and dance and just hope the blind squirrel finds a nut after 70 odd years, or would you even just hypothetically be interested in seeing a pro/rel system in place that, although runs the risk of seeing your team dragged down a level(s), also could be the only thing in the history of everything that might light a fire under the asses of those that matter to prioritize the things and make the choices to finally bring this team to where it ought to be?
That said, if you could would you? Would you adopt promotion/relegation in the NFL?
For those unfamiliar pro/rel is the common system used in pro soccer leagues all over the world (barring just a few). Within the concept at the end of each season the top few teams in the standing are 'promoted' to the division above them while the bottom few teams in the standings are 'relegated' to the division below them. The very top division - the 'major' league for them - has their top few invited to a combination tournament that hosts the top few performers from all over their continent. Obviously we wouldn't have anything like that as nothing could even remotely compete with the NFL. I think being able to actually legitimately contend for a SB should suffice.
The driving force behind the concept is to promote a compete at all costs mentality for all teams and to hold lazy, ineffectual teams accountable. Now where have we seen a team that could be described like the latter? And that's why I bring this up here. Since we all know we can't just oust the owner(s), those responsible for the never ending doldrums of our own NFL franchise, what if there was an outside mechanism that was a never ending catalyst for their own drive to succeed, and to do so beyond just the 'bottom line'?
So as to stop being so long-winded, but ya.. as a mere thought experiment, with the two choices being would you like to see the same ol' song and dance and just hope the blind squirrel finds a nut after 70 odd years, or would you even just hypothetically be interested in seeing a pro/rel system in place that, although runs the risk of seeing your team dragged down a level(s), also could be the only thing in the history of everything that might light a fire under the asses of those that matter to prioritize the things and make the choices to finally bring this team to where it ought to be?
