So, I'm looking at the Conference and Divisions a little bit and I noticed that they are really uneven. The Western Conference has 8 teams total across three divisions. The Eastern Conference has 13 teams, again across three divisions. Now, I understand that a big reason for this is to cut down on the travel expenses. There just isn't enough money in the IWFL right now to make it practical for east coast teams to be traveling to the west coast regularly.
However, I think there is a least one move that makes sense from a geographic, as well as rival stand point that would not incur significant extra costs for travel.
I think Detroit should be moved from the Eastern Conference - Mid Atlantic division to the Western Conference - Midwest division. Instead of traveling to DC, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh they would have to travel to Kansas City, Chicago, and Minneapolis. Distances are a little longer, but not hugely.
What does this due to help?
- Helps to balance the Conferences a little bit... now it's 12 vs. 9 instead of 13 vs. 8
- Allows for a smaller North Atlantic division - move Philly to the MidAtlantic and each division in the east has 4 teams.
- Saves travel expense for the Mid Atlantic teams as Detroit was the furtherest west they had to go.
- Takes advantage of existing sports rivalries between Detroit and midwest teams in Chicago, Minneapolis, and to a lesser extent, Kansas City.
The obvious downside, as stated earlier, is that it would increase travel expenses slight for Midwest teams as Detroit would be the furtherest east team in that division. It might also break up existing rivalries that Detroit has with MidAtlantic teams. I don't follow IWFL close enough to know if there are any.
So, what do y'all think?
Should Detroit move to the MidWest Division?
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