2012 Changes
2011 brought up a lot of questions in regards to the stability of the GFL and its recruiting of new teams. Only be in its 5th year, growth is an essential part of development. 4 teams folded within a month of the beginning of the season. They were monitored throughout but the expenses, field placement and recruiting of players proved to be too much for the new teams. 4 weeks ago, the GFL had a board meeting to discuss some ideas to avoid these kinds of emergencies. As the plan is still under construction we find it important to pass the idea out to the many players and fans throughout the league. Below is that layout:
Understood: The GFL WILL finish the 2011 season with all 13 teams still in operation
Article 1 – GFL Conference Format and Playoffs
1) The GFL will conclude its current conference play at the end of 2011
- All teams that finished the 2011 GFL season, in good standing, will become a part of the National Conference
2) Any new franchises or former GFL franchises that did not finish its previous season, following all regulations of the league, will automatically be added to the American Conference.
Example (6 new teams)
American Conf
E1
E2
E3
E4
E5
E6
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Notes: If the GFL decides to put all finishing 2011 teams into the National Conference, the format will look like this:
National American
T1 T6 E1 E4
T2 T7 E2 E5
T3 T8 E3 E6
T4 T9
T5 T10
T11 T12
T13
If the GFL decides to add only the teams with sufficient wins to the National Conference, the format will look like this:
National American
T1 T6 T9 T10
T2 T7 T11 T12
T3 T8 T13 E1
T4 T9 E2 E3
E4 E5
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3) The new National Conference will hence know its opponents for the 2012 season
– The national Conference will play other members of its conference
Possible Amendment: Each team in the American Conference will play one team of the Conferences
- The American Conference will play other members of its conference
- The National Conference Season will start on (May 20), and play for ten weeks with a three week playoff system at the end
- The American Conference will start its season on (May 20), and play for ten weeks. After the Regular season is over, The Top American Conference team (or top two) will enter into the GFL Playoffs as the bottom seed(s)
- If after this time, a National team member does not make the playoffs, additional matches can be made between the National Conferences and American Conferences
- Each conference will have 2 divisions and will be played similarly to the conferences of this year
Notes:
Because of the realignment and the lack of cross conference play, National Conference teams will be able to gain their set schedule before Dec 31stwith a potential TBD as the one game played against the American Conference.
This realignment creates a Conference with teams that are established with fields, fans and recruitment of players accustomed to the GFL rules
Article 2: The National Conference
1) The National Conference will belong to teams that are established
– Each team must have the capability to field a competitive roster
– Each team must have a home field established
- If any team cannot meet these requirements, said team should operate in the American Conference.
The National Conference will play itself for the entire season; there will be no expansion (first year team) to the National Conference for 2012
2) In the case of a National Conference team folding
a. If it is before the season, the GFL Board will decide which American Conference team is most able to take its spot.
b. If it is during the season, the American Conference team with the best record will get asked to move to the national Conference
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Notes: In case of a National Team folding during the season:
- The GFL will ask the first place American Conference team to switch and take the folded teams spot
1) The American Conference team replacing the folded team will assume the folded team’s record and schedule
It is the sole responsibility of the first place team to accept or decline the invitation
Reasons to Accept
A chance to play against superior competition
Accepting gives automatic bid to the National Conference the following season
Reasons to Decline
First place team may be on track for the playoffs that season
Ownership may be unsure of team’s ability to play a harder schedule
2) If declined, the invitation goes to the next team in the American Conference with the best record.
Invitations will continue until a team accepts the schedule change
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In both cases, the new team will take over the folded teams schedule and record if applicable.
Article 3: The American Conference
1) All expansion or returning franchises, which have not been in regulation, will begin the season in the American Conference.
2) If a team folds, that team’s schedule is abolished and if they decide to come back the following year they will need to start in the American Conference with proper vote in by the GFL Board
3) All teams have the option of garnering their own fields or playing on a league mandated field in Kenosha WI. This will reduce the problems of obtaining fields for new teams, as well as the cost for fields.
– Special considerations may be made to help American Conference teams who have trouble with jerseys, helmets and rosters, unlike the National Conference
Article 4: After the Season
1) The National Conference will be allowed to add no more than two teams more than what the league started with the previous season
– Example: 2012, National Conference has 13 teams. In 2013, the National Conference can have no more than 15 teams
2) Any National Conference team that folds in the offseason will be replaced by an American Conference team. This team will not count toward expansion. Any National Team that folds and decides to come back must spend one year in the American.
3) New teams coming to the National Conference will be measured on a number of standards
– Previous Season’s record
– Home field availability
– Roster management
– Ownership management
– Financial management
4) Possible relocation of a National Conference team to the American Conference can occur if said team encounters problems that prohibits them from competing well in the National Conference
5) Any new franchise that wants to enter the GFL needs to spend at least one season in the American Conference. This help in the growth of the team to the GFL way of ownership and play.
The GFL will do everything within its power to ensure that the National Conference will enter each season as strong and competitive as possible. Similarly, the GFL will do everything within its power to ensure that the American Conference is filled with young promising teams that can, and hopefully will, create a stronger league overall. The GFL Board is confident that this new direction will help the growth of the league and the individual teams within it.