Here's the quick down and dirty for those that didn't see the facebook announcement. We will split the RMFL into two leagues that will both play under the RMFL umbrella. The first will include the Rev, Shock, Lions, Sting, and Vipers; as well as three new Vegas teams (Trojans, Lions, & Hawks). That league will be run primarily by Doug Cook and Jared Emerick, although I will still oversee it. It will have it's own budget, it's own league meeting, even it's own bylaws and policies (if they choose to make any changes). It will function independently and can accept or deny new teams.
The second league will include the remaining teams: Cobras, Stampede, Warriors, Oilers, Outlaws, Diggers, Mustangs, Anarchy, Gladiators, & Snow Devils. This league will be run primarily by Dan Buhler and myself. It too will have its own league meeting, budget, and bylaws (if they choose to make any changes).
The Matadors & Bulldawgs have chosen to play in the ICFL for 2016. The Loco Express and Stealth are most likely folding. I have had some interest from other teams within our footprint for joining the RMFL for 2016. Obviously, it would be VERY helpful to add at least one more team in Montana.
I mentioned this on facebook, but I really believe this is a win/win for all the teams in our league, and I'm sincerely excited about it. In addition to the teams, I believe this structure will make the league as a whole easier to manager. We are leveraging our size to keep costs (insurance, administration, etc.) low; but by having two separate leagues, we can align interests of smaller groups--we don't have to try and do what's best for 19 teams in our decisions now, it can be 8-10.
I am also in the process of replacing our webmaster as well as fine-tune existing staff positions. Some areas will be shared between the two leagues (i.e. Dan Buhler is still the Head of Officials for both leagues) and others will be separated by league.
Feel free to poke holes or share concerns. While none of us can predict the future or how everything will play out, I think the amount of potential good from this far outweighs the potential bad.
P.S. Charlie, what exactly would "the REV picking up their ball and going home" look like? I think there are still a few teams hoping to give you a run for your money in 2016.
And what is going on with the Stealth??? Unique Taking them over???
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Cobras #59
Cobras # 59 If there's still truth to the matter the Stealth have folded and have merged with the Shock. I believe majority of the Stealth have went over except for a few that have gone to other camps for the 2016 season!!
With the RMFL splitting into basically 2 leagues, will we have a new set of by-laws for how things happen at the end of the year?
Will the AA/RMFL winner automatically be moved up to the AAA/INSERT NAME HERE?
Will the AAA/INSERT NAME HERE loser be moved down?
Will there be a certain set of guidelines/restrictions for teams wanting to move up or move down voluntarily?
What happens if next year the AAA/INSERT NAME HERE or AA/RMFL teams decide that their respective division isn't what they want?
Are we still one league with 2 divisions working independently or are we REALLY 2 completely separate entities?
Do we have something in place to account for these possible changes or will we just deal with it as it comes?
I think I answered most of these questions on the FB page, but just to be clear. Both leagues operate separately in terms of by laws, budgets, league meetings, etc. They will share staff and insurance.
Part of the reason for the division was to eliminate the AA/AAA conflict. While certainly the most elite teams (Lions, Rev, etc.) are in the South, the goal of the split was not designed based on talent as much as geography (or a combination of the two).
We will still have the 5 player rule (no more than 5 players can move from one team to another), and some basic guidelines ALL teams in both leagues will have to follow--this is still the RMFL and we have basic requirements that must be upheld to be a part of it. But, for the most part, each group will be able to make their own by laws.
There is no "move up" or "move down" between the two leagues. Teams can move from one league to another, IF they are accepted by the other league, but there is no requirement to do so. That too is one of the main reasons for the split. I HATED forcing teams to do anything. All 8 (and maybe 10) teams that are forming the new league CHOSE to do so. The remaining teams CHOSE to remain. That's the way it should be.
For example, if the REV decides after this year that the new league is not best for them, they can apply to move to the other league. At that point, the teams in the other league have to decide if allowing the REV in is best for their league. The teams in each league are responsible for making their league a great place to play, and making the teams there WANT to play in that league--its as simple as that. As always, we as a league staff will do our best to enforce the by laws created by the Managing Board of each league.
One last point...it's still the RMFL. Technically, whether each is its own Division or League, we are all still part of the RMFL and are expected to uphold the quality and the integrity the RMFL has brought to semi pro football for the past 20 years.
There is no "move up" or "move down" between the two leagues. Teams can move from one league to another, IF they are accepted by the other league, but there is no requirement to do so.
Thanks for the clarification Brad!
Should we also add in there that the league they are leaving accepts the transfer to the other league? Just as a for instance, lets say the North league needs at least 8 teams to be competitive and provide a good experience for everyone. But we have 2 teams that want to leave to the other league. This would leave them with 7 teams. So it might be in the best interest in the North league to keep one or both of those leagues in the league. OR at least have enough advanced notice, that the league can recruit the number of teams needed to stay healthy..
That's not a bad idea; there will certainly be a learning curve here. Another of my goals is to try and simplify both leagues. Over the years, it seems we continue to add rules for every situation that comes up, and it's become too much. In both league meetings, we will spend some time going through the Constitution and deciding what is important and what can go away.
