Following the end of the 2020-21 regular season the matters for teams outside of the play-offs will be about coaching changes and other player personnel moves. For the league, there are even bigger questions to look into this off-season.
What to do with the Eborian Football Conference (EFC)?
Once the monopolies commission have made the decision on the acquisition of the EFC by the PFL, which is expected to be given the okay there will be work to do. Currently the league have 16 teams in 4 divisions of 4, whilst the EFC have 8 teams in 2 conferences. Although fantasy youtubers and online comments prophesise a 24 team league, this would not make sense to most within the game. Imagine this:
-The league would need to employ an additional 400 players, who would be expected to be at PFL standard for the inaugural expanded season.
-Several EFC teams would need to upgrade their stadiums immediately.
-It is not likely that the television deals, which mostly fund the league, would be increased by 50% to accommodate the extra games. This is likely to be the case because it will be perceived that there will be a lessening of the talent level with an extra 8 teams.
Of course, this would be a mute point if the monopolies commission do not approve the buyout by the PFL. There was little talk of other investors being interested in a bailout.
What is currently predicted based on the league’s approval is a recommendation that four teams will be absorbed into the league. The four teams would be placed into the remaining divisions, although it is not known whether there would be the returning of conferences. There has been some talk in the league of conferences returning, with additional play-off spots and the (maybe) return of the Elite Bowl-the All-Star game that was dropped in 2018. It’s not known if that would even be popular.
The four mooted teams are the Nashford Lions, the Arkheim Raiders, the Pottsburgh Cardinals and the Amorgan Blues. This is based on them being the larger teams with stadiums already available to them. Remember of course, the Cardinals and Blues were removed from the league due to insolvency. If these teams were to return, they would likely need to provide certain assurances over their financial futures.
Expanding the Playoffs
Regardless as to what happens with the EFC, the league is also making plans outside of this towards future expansion towards 18 and then 20 teams. Along with this, comes the ever raised question about expanding the play-offs. Currently 8 teams qualify and they play quarter-finals, semi-finals and then the Crystal Bowl.
When the league had 20 teams previously, 10 teams where in the play-offs with the top 3 in each conference receiving a bye and seeds 4 and 5 playing off for the final spot. Some league owners are pressing for an expansion of the play-offs anyway, even though the standard league position is that there should never be more than 50% of the teams qualifying for the play-offs as it waters down the competition and value of qualifying.
Two extra play-off games would not only increase the season by one week, but give more “special” play-off matches, to bring in more revenue. Professional sports leagues obviously like more revenue!
Relocation, Relocation, Relocation!
The city of Mayona, led by the city’s mayor, have been pressing for a professional football team in the city. An attempt to take the Sharks out of St George was voted down last year. It is understood that prospective owners have also acquired into the status of two EFC clubs and the Iomagh Steelers. It is likely that further attempts will be made by a city keen to have pro football on its resume. The league will have to decide whether they think that the city is a suitable one for pro football and whether they think that it will be suitable to have an existing franchise relocated or to grant them a brand-new franchise.
As with most things, money talks, making it likely that Mayona will have a team within the next 5 years.
The Professional Football League of Eboria 