S20 State of the League Part 3 (Revenge of the VAR)

[Canadice]

In the last State of the League, we announced that we were starting the process to look into expansion on account of the increasing size of the user base. The first step was to open applications for expansion managers which had its deadline last Sunday. After looking through the applications the BoD has decided to NOT appoint any expansion managers at this time and NOT continue with an S21 Expansion plan.

Instead we will do the following:

• Re-open applications for expansion managers where we will also allow for the inclusion of co-applicants in preparation for an expansion in S22.
  
• Open up applications for Academy Manager positions for the S21 season where users are able to accrue managerial experience in a semi-controlled environment focusing on community building and tactics.
  

One reason we felt we could delay the expansion process and give us time to assess additional alternatives is the preliminary results of the league survey. Within it, we asked if you would be ok with being a substitute and if so for how long and at the time of writing 45% of the respondents (n = 155) answered they would be willing to be a substitute for 1 season or more. With the decision to not expand in S21, all organizations will need to make use of the substitution system in some manner to allow all projected actives to see themselves on the field. In our calculations, there are 220 + 40 roster spots divided between the starting XI and two substitutions for a total 260 active spots. We project that after the S21 Prospect Draft there will be 250 active players outside of the Academy. Based on the survey responses around 70 of them has expressed a positive sentiment to being used as a substitute for 1 season or more which exceeds the 40 substitution slots.

In order to facilitate the use of subs in the upcoming season we will grant cap relief of 100% of the 2 lowest TPE players in each roster at any point in the season. This will be automatically tracked in the budget sheet, shown as a negative cap penalty (a cap relief). The cap relief is given with the expectation that subs (or rotation) are being consistently used for the roster so in order to fulfill the requirements of this relief; at least 13 (active) players per roster has played a minimum of 6 total appearances over the season.

We do not see the use of substitutes as a permanent solution and based on the current projected numbers we will have to work towards an expansion in S22 in order to make room for the entire user base. The exact details of this expansion are yet to be decided and looking out even further than the next couple of seasons we are discussing a “future-proof” league structure that is able to facilitate an even larger user base, taking into account the limitations of FM and impacts on all the different departments. We hope to bring in feedback from other user groups once we have summarized our internal comments.

Please reach out to your organizational manager at the start of next season if you are one of the people that answered you were ok with being a substitute for at least a season.

/Commissioner and the BoD

[Daleks]

This is my favourite trilogy.

[Afrhite]

Certainly big changes, I'll for sure re-apply in due time