S26 State of the League

[Canadice]

S26 State of the League

As is custom, the first weeks of the new season brings about some adjustments and changes that the BoD details in this post. We are still planning on expansion for next season if everything works out according to plan, and we have some information later in this text giving some updated details.

Expansion

With only 4 more days left until the expansion application deadline, we are seeing a lack of applicants overall. After a fact finding mission trying to ascertain reasons why, we have found one such reason to be the reluctance to leave an organization without any real compensation for the lost player. After a detailed discussion within the BoD, taking into account the impact any compensation might have on the Expansion Organizations initial start, we have voted to implement the following for this expansion hiring process.

Code:

If a player from an organization is successfully appointed OM for an expansion organization, the original organization will receive a compensatory pick in between the 1st and 2nd round.

If multiple organizations receive compensation picks from this or retirements, the picks will follow the same order as a normal round (reverse standings).

This will be added to the hiring and expansion post as well.

Our hope is that this compensation can move the needle for a user contemplating applying. More information about that process can be found here.

Rule Changes

First, after this (S26) season the league will move to a 7-7 structure in each division. This will give us 12 league matchdays played over 14 total Youtube matchdays for each division. This structure has been voted for in order to minimize the increase in simmer workload with the addition of extra teams. Yes this does mean there will be a team with a bye each matchday but it does keep the amount of matches every team plays equal for various back end things on top of the simmer workload.

Second, a temporary rule change for this special season in preparation for the Expansion adjustment. This (S26) season will feature the following promotion/relegation format:

• Div 1 - No auto-relegation. The team finishing last (6th place) will play a playoff against Div 2 runner-up. 5th place will not have playoffs this season.
  
• Div 2 - 1st place auto-promoted. 2nd place will play against Div 1 6th place
  

This is a one-time thing to go with expansion where Div 1 will at least see one new team join. We will have more information on the permanent changes to the pro/rel format closer to the start of S27.

Roster Movement Deadline
In order to clear up any confusion for organizations, accountants, bankers and fileworkers we have added the following detailed deadline to the Rulebook:

Code:

B.5.d
After the Trade Deadline, no roster moves can occur except when it is required to field a valid roster because of player suspensions.

G.6.c
Any roster move after the Trade Deadline can only occur if it is required to field a valid roster due to player suspensions.

Tactic Submission Validity

To clarify what is considered a valid submission for auditing and simming, we have added the following to the Rulebook.

Code:

E.3.c.
A valid tactic submission is defined as one of the following. Only valid submissions are audited for legality and will be used for simming if it passes the audit.
If both a tactic file and matching screenshot depicting players on positions
If only a tactic file, it is valid only if players are placed automatically based on last tactic (i.e. no manual input by auditor/simmer),
If a tactic file and non-matching screenshot (regarding player positions), it is valid only if players are placed automatically based on last tactic,
If only a screenshot, it is valid only if the screenshot matches the last used tactic file.
If a submission contains no tactic file nor screenshot it requires no auditing but is valid for simming, for example a submission with only subs.

E.3.d
The following tactic submissions are not valid for auditing nor simming. Invalid submissions will revert back to the previous legal submission.
Only a screenshot that is not matching the last used tactic file.
Any of the scenarios from c. that does not meet the condition of validity.

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That is it for this relatively short and time constrained State of the League. More information might come up in the next few weeks if needed.

Commissioner Canadice and the BoD.