Could promotion and relegation work for the NFL?

How would relegation in the NFL work? The best way to institute a promotion-relegation system in the NFL would be to divide the league into two 16-team divisions: a top tier – we'll call it the Joe Montana Division – and a bottom tier – the Dan Marino Division. read more

For the NFL to accept relegation, a considerable number of teams would then have to accept that at some point there is a risk that the valuation of the team would be destroyed by relegation after one bad year. read more

And although the NFL playoffs would be shorter, the Relegation and Promotion Playoffs would be massive occasions. Think about the Redskins and Giants playing at the Meadowlands with relegation to the Marino Division on the line. read more

Historically if football had chosen a different path it was possible but today it is impossible in much the same way it is impossible to install promotion and relegation in the NFL. The gap in economies, infrastructure and playing standard between the AFL and the next level is immense. read more