I mean rumors, in fact, 'Dreams' that owners want to realign. They want to break 'The Chain.' Seems the present arrangement of teams doesn't suit them and they want, as the song says, to 'Go Your Own Way.' Perhaps they are unhappy about this fact:
Eastern Division CWP* : .581
Western Division CWP*: .498
Central Division CWP*: .420
* = combined winning percentage, as reflected in last year's standings
Obviously, there is a lack of parity between the divisions, but (paradoxically) this increases the number of teams each year that have a realistic chance of earning a playoff berth. In other words, this is the most competitive version of the league. In this version, eight of the league's twelve teams were still in the running for a playoff spot in the final two weeks of play. Fairly exciting.
Of course, we could do it differently, rearranging the teams so that the difference in combined winning percentage would be minimized:
Division 1 (Darwin, Arizona, Black Mesa, S-Mart): .500
Division 2 (Worcester, Brooklyn, Las Vegas, Pottsylvania) .494
Division 3 (Frostbite, Yuma, Oakeyland, Casselton) .506
I don't think you would have as many teams as competitive for the entire season under this scenario, but this is the most equitable way I've found to create parity between the divisions based upon last season's W-L records. I'm personally opposed to any tinkering, however, because last season was the most competitive we've had in the current format. As Lyndsey Buckingham might warble, 'Don't Stop.'
In any case, I'm completely opposed to owners deciding (ahem) on their own to relocate. You can not just, as the song says, 'Go Your Own Way.' Changing the divisions affects more than just one owner, and I think any realignment should reflect that. We had discussions back in January, and that would've been a good time to broach the issue, and get league-wide feedback. Now, just days before the Draft, is not a good time. Who your divisional opponents are affects who you might draft, after all. So, if you're in favor of realignment, let's discuss it after this season and see where we're at then. Expansion is likely next year, for a number of reasons, and it would be best if any realignment considered expansion's effects, and not be considered 'Second-Hand News'.
UPDATE: This post was edited to remove an inappropriate reference. I apologized to the owner, who was looking forward to announcing some changes to their franchise when they were ready.
4 comments:
no switching divisions. we have not expanded thus there should be no reason to switch divisions. i like being in the best division and i do not want other teams in the east just because someone moved their team east!
i agree, switching divisions would make EVERYTHING much less interesting. and at this point its the only hope i have of a playoff spot.... or "Will you ever win?"
this is a stupid discussion. i wanted to switch divisions two years ago when i got tired of winning 85 games and missing the playoffs. i was told its unrealistic and if i switched divisions itd be the same four or five teams in the hunt every year. thats not in the "best interest of the league", so whats changed? Has the "good of the one" out weighed the "good of the league"? I think our decision should be in the "best interest of the league" and destroy this topic of conversation. if an owner wants to changes leagues, then they should drop their team and take in expansion team, if we ever expand.
I certainly agree that expansion is overdue. I haven't had any luck in persuading any other experienced owners to take expansion so far. But I would totally be in favor of a realignment accompanying expansion.
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