A little more of a desire to move to something bigger sooner rather than holding onto what we have I think.

I have been trying to find out what EPL teams cost to join the EPL competition and as far as I can tell it doesn't cost them anything and they get an equal share of the TV revenue. I had not even considered the thought that other leagues might not even have an entry fee.

For my part, if I was asked what I want to see from our national competition, I would say I wanted a guaranteed geographic spread across the whole country to make it more interesting for me to follow the league. My suggestion was keeping that element in the league now but expanding it to include promotion now then a P/R element once we get the number of teams we need in the top flight - and since I have found out through this thread that there is likely an end date on licences that actually works better with the transition to full P/R once the licences are done.

If they keep the legacy teams we have now 'guaranteed' (and include ACT and Tassie teams too), and simply promote new teams without a licence I get what I want now and the system goes full P/R when the licences expire.

A big problem would be the TV rights - with distribution of any TV deal having to take into account the fairness/intellectual rights of money going to all clubs participating while also considering giving more to the clubs who paid to be a part of the whole deal including guaranteed inclusion and a share of the TV deal.

It might work if the new TV deal could be big enough on account of the increased number of teams, games and season length to keep the current revenue for legacy clubs and share what they can negotiate on top. For that I don't really care how it might work - just thinking of the commercial and contracted obligations they have now. Certainly seems to be enough added content and increased interest to argue a bigger deal next time in that.

I consider it less than personal desperation to get the guaranteed national spread with a massive increase to 20+ teams inside two seasons with the accompanying season length without having to tear up all the existing contracts/licences.

Mono - I always appreciate your opinions from the real football world. If they took out the joining fee completely for a smaller share of TV revenue would that appeal more to you or is this shiny thing too tainted to even think about merging with in some way? I find it hard to believe playing in the arguable top tier with a chance to beat the bastards in their own houses (figuratively speaking) and prove yourselves would not have some dark appeal.

I can appreciate the intensity and feeling against historic football foes though I have to admit.

 Hey mate, Yeah absolutely I get the thought process and applaud the "out of the box" thinking... Paying a license fee isnt the stumbling block if its reasonable 500K, 1mil etc... Its the 25 mill franchise fee which has/needs to be justified and goes against the grain for me... If South paid 25 mill for a coveted geographic slot then I would understand us not wanting to be able to be relegated... I get the position of the APL... I just DONT see that as conducive to a competitive sporting environment which will bring the best outcomes for football in our country. 

Rivalry is fickle thing and often one club's fans perceive themselves to be the "arch enemy" when in fact they are not even really considered by the others... New hatreds also spring up over time oftne for trivial things... and sometimes even dissapear over time when the forturnes of clubs wax and wane... For 20 years us old bastards have been "outside the tent" playing Aleague clubs will have an initial novelty (Old v new, classic v plastic etc etc) but there are 100s of matches of histpory against some of these NSL clubs for example, matches and upsets, incidents and fights... the marketing guys can try all they like to make a "big blue derby" or a "battle of the bulge" or whatever but it has to be there.... 

My true hope is that the NST kicks off with some degree of success, links to the NPLs after the first 1-2 years with pro/rel and after 3-4 years the APL faces the inevitable and joins in the true pyramid... This should allay your concerns about geographical spread NATURALLY as there will be enough 1st and 2nd div clubs in every town that the drive of true sporting competition will drive fandom...  To get there we need all clubs to agree to the SAME club licensing agreement.. the same structures, the same focus on youth and womens teams and coaching (NOT the same, universal, one size fits all NC boring coaching methodologies though that is just shit thinking ... variety breeds creativity and desire) ... License fees are anathema tot eh MLS franchsie way of thinkling and do nothing but drive the value and profit of assets for overseas owners... The broadcasting distribution value will increase with interest from below, NOT from whithin.

BTW, to be totally fair, Someone like Melbourne Victory who didnt pay a cent and were propped up by FFA should be able to be relegated too wouldn't you say?

It'll be the Mediterranean Derby or the Heritage Derbies or some other dicky name ;)

If a club bought the licence then hit trouble and had to be propped up I think they have a right to stay.

If a club did not buy a licence then hit trouble they should not have the same protection. They have not paid for it.

My concern geographically is if they have some sort of national structure to determine who the best team is for promotion we face the possibility of all NSW and Victorian clubs in the national comp. While that is the fairest system - with earned representation - it is not the one that appeals to me. In a small country (geographic size) a full P/R system will allow people to get to games if they want to go. In a large country like ours, the distance is a significant factor in interest in my eyes and something that I would want to be covered. Maybe the simplest form of 'whoever is bottom gets a replacement from their region' but that then means we are still not seeing the best of the best in our top tier and clubs in quality rich environments like NSW and Victoria may end up top of the second tier and never getting a chance.

The Mediterranean Derby .... or the Balkan battle I like it  hahahahahah Marketing IS the opium of the proletariat these days isn't it? lol

Here is where I disagree with the underlying premise of your argument though:

"If a club bought the licence then hit trouble and had to be propped up I think they have a right to stay."

I absolutely disagree... the true value of a sporting competition (in any sport) is to provide a competitive environment where performance both on and off the pitch is rewarded (and punished) by access to the required level of that competition. We all jumped up and down (especially Aleague supporters funnily enough) when the European Super league was suggested becuase it was unfair that the super rich clubs could buy their way in to a state of never being relegated...????

Here is a snippet from the South Melbourne Football Club constitution - not too dissimilar to what I assume most of the other 99.99999% of sporting clubs in this country adhere too.... Its ALL about FOOTBALL>>>>>>

1.1 Objects of the ClubThe Club has the rights, powers and privileges of a natural person (althoughsubject at all times to the Corporations Act) has the following objects:(a) To preserve, foster and advance the tradition and ideals of the club.(b) To promote the game of football and such other sports, games, amusements,recreations, entertainments, pastimes and competitions as the Club deemsexpedient and offer and grant or contribute towards the provision of prizesand distinctions.(c) To subscribe to or become a member or affiliate or co operate with any otherClub association or organisation whether incorporated or not whose objectsare altogether or in part similar to those of the club.(d) To promote and assist in any athletic sports with mutual objects.(e) To be a member Club of FFA and to comply with the Constitution and ByLaws of the FFA and FFV.(f) To use its best endeavors, to prevent infringement of the Constitution and bylaws of FFA and FFV and protect Football from abuse.(g) Foster friendly relations among the officials and players of Football byencouraging Football games;(h) Prevent racial, religious, gender or political discrimination or distinction amongFootball players;(i) To co operate with FFV, FFV and other bodies in the promotion anddevelopment of, otherwise in relation to, Football, the Statutes andRegulations and the Laws of the Game.(j) Act in the best interests of the Club and Football.