Multi-tiered football league

[iampantherman]

Let me start off by saying that soccer is my number one sporting love. I know that will discredit my point of view to many of you, but I do also love the NFL/ American football very much. Now that you're aware of my bias, allow me to say what I wanted to express.

I think the NFL would benefit greatly from having multiple leagues/levels, with the NFL being akin to the the premier league in English soccer. One thing that has always bothered me about the NFL is that you are rewarded for playing poorly- with higher draft picks, easier schedule etc. This is contrary to the nature of competition imo. Losing/ failing should carry negative consequences, not positive ones. I know that parity is a focus of the NFL and that it has worked well in creating an environment where teams are closely matched and teams can turn things around quickly, but there is no drama, no struggle at the end of the year for teams that have had a poor season. They have nothing to play for. In fact, the opposite is true- they have reasons to lose.

If the NFL incorporated a secondary league by maybe dropping the 12 worst teams in the season to a secondary league (Just initially. Later you could promote/relegate fewer teams once the secondary league is established- maybe 4 per year.) it would really create a passion among teams fighting to stay in the top-flight. It would make things interesting from top to bottom throughout the season (in both leagues), and it would maintain competitive integrity for all games.

I imagine that I'm in the minority in this wish, but to me it would really make things exciting. If your team is unfortunate enough to be dropped into the lower league it would be incredibly exciting in the year they work out their promotion back to the top league in the NFL. I think there would just be more drama all around for everyone. The struggle at the top and the bottom means more excitement for all involved.

Anyone with me? (Echoes..... :P )

[Argus Plexus]

The NFL and America in general are too lazy. A minor league might someday catch on (Doubt it) like they have in baseball, but really college is seen as the minor league. That's who we draft from. I would love to see each NFL team have a minor league farm team so that all the guys we see potential in, but can't keep on the roster, can have somewhere to go where we can still keep a hold of them and see if they really do have any potential. Would be great for finding diamonds in the rough.

[Hawk]

the NFL is an incredibly successful business...really no need to mess with it to the extent that you are proposing.

I like the idea of a junior league or a D league or similar idea that would focus on player development outside of the college core, and I bet they'd get some viewership too if you set them in smaller centers.

[frash.exe]

two different sports don't need the same structure

[Panthers128]

NFL is an inferior league and the USA is an inferior country. They'll just continue to exploit college athletes and the only focus of the game will be profits while the soccer leagues in Europe continue to cultivate great talent from around the world at young ages.

Messi's story is particularly moving:

At the age of 11, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency.^[27] Local powerhouse River Plate showed interest in Messi's progress, but did not have enough money to pay for treatment for his condition, which cost $900 a month.^[21] Carles Rexach, the sporting director of FC Barcelona, had been made aware of his talent as Messi had relatives in Lleida and Messi and his father were able to arrange a trial with the team.^[21] Rexach, with no other paper at hand, offered Messi a contract written on a paper napkin.^[28][29] Barcelona offered to pay for Messi's medical bills if he was willing to move to Spain. Messi and his father moved to Barcelona where Messi enrolled in the club's youth academy.^[25][29]

Greatest soccer player in the world. If he was an American football player he'd have been left for dead.

[Hawk]

good thing he choose a pussy sport then...NFL has no room for pussies!!!!!!

come on man....pro soccer doesn't exploit players? with there multi million transfer fees etc....

[Panthers128]

No league is perfect but the youth academies owned by soccer leagues are very impressive. I've always wondered why the NBA and NFL can't start similar successful programs. College football would be done away with if the NFL would invest the resources, imo. Sports are controlled by athletes and I think given the choice the best players would choose to join youth academies owned by various NFL clubs.

Instead of being told it's immoral to be paid for their talents, they would be coveted at a young age and rewarded.

[Hawk]

hmm...not sure I agree with you on that one...but ya never know. Education might have a wee part of that college ball experience...and it's massive money for the schools too. can't see college ball ever going away regardless of any junior programs

[iamcline]

Soccer is a great sport, and leagues like the EPL have great structure...but they still don't pull the same kind of revenue that the NFL does. I agree a multi-tiered structure would be GREAT for times who constantly hover below mediocrity...but it would ruin the NFL. The NFL would then have teams drafting players then trading them to the higher ranked teams. It would basically turn the NFL into MLB.

As always, it sounds great in theory but wouldn't work in execution.

[Keith Moons Liver]

Here's all you need to know about soccer- a midget cripple can become the best player in the world. Good luck seeing that in the NFL.

[iampantherman]

Here's all you need to know about soccer- a midget cripple can become the best player in the world. Good luck seeing that in the NFL.

I never understand the hatred for soccer by NFL fans. Perhaps it's an inferiority complex; knowing that the NFL will never reach the heights of popularity enjoyed by the beautiful game. If you love sport and athletic competition, it is easy to appreciate myriad sports, but I hear so much venom from NFL fans about that "pussy sport". lol Soccer players have more finesse and nuance in their abilities than most athletes in the world, and I for one enjoy watching their skills. The NFL/American football has many elements that make it an exciting sport, but to dismiss soccer is to bury your head in the sand like a frightened ostrich. Soccer is the most beloved sport on planet Earth, and by a large margin. Soccer is cherished around the world for a reason- it is a fantastic sport and in my opinion- the best of them all.

[Hawk]

guess that just means there are pussies in the world than we originally thought!!!

of course it's popular...what do you think 3rd world countries play? what do you need....a ball...and even if you don't have a ball, a rolled up sweater, a rock, anything...and you can play with 1 or 2 people. It only makes sense that more people play soccer than hockey.

that would be like comparing how many people play hockey in Canada compared to how many play in north Africa!

[Argus Plexus]

If there were academies rather than relying on schools, the talent in the league would go up by a significant amount.

[iampantherman]

guess that just means there are pussies in the world than we originally thought!!!

of course it's popular...what do you think 3rd world countries play? what do you need....a ball...and even if you don't have a ball, a rolled up sweater, a rock, anything...and you can play with 1 or 2 people. It only makes sense that more people play soccer than hockey.

that would be like comparing how many people play hockey in Canada compared to how many play in north Africa!

You're dismissing most of Europe, much of Asia, Austrailia, and much of North and South America where soccer is played and beloved in decidedly non-third-world places. The hatred is rooted in insecurity. Soccer will always be the world's sport. The NFL can never dream to achieve that status. It will never happen.